A Typical Day
Lower School Schedule
Before 8:00am
Social / Planning time
Students are welcomed into the classroom before the day’s program begins. This time is for greeting your school community, choosing a game or activity to engage in with others, and generally getting comfortable with the transition to the school day beginning.
8:15 - 8:45AM
Community
Morning Meeting is designed to help students transition from home to school. Students and teachers gather together for a meeting in a classroom or a common space to reflect on the day before and the day ahead. This time serves to build the classroom community, give students a sense of belonging and ownership, and bring everyone to a shared understanding of the rest of the day.
8:45-9:45AM
MathS WorkShop
During the mathematics mastery band, students work independently and in small groups on maths investigations and problem-solving, as well as consolidation of skills and understanding based on their level of development.
9:45-10:15AM
Movement & Physical Literacy
In the Lower School we believe in the importance of taking a moment to evaluate how our mind and body is doing each and every day. Integrating dedicated Movement & Physical Literacy time early in our day allows students to engage in activities designed to meet them where they are; be it a calming exercise to center focus or an invigorating activity to expend energy. The goal is to enable the class to come to studies with a sharper mind and full readiness to participate.
10:15-11:00AM
Integrated Project Work
Students will work as a whole class, in small groups, and independently on thematic projects inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and connected to global themes across our network. This work will weave together science, math, social studies, language arts, and SEL.
Students will have a chance to develop, independently or in groups, projects that align with and help nurture their passions. Documentation of process and product will be an important part of a student’s portfolio.
11:00-11:45PM
Arts and Making
In the Lower School, the heart of Arts and Making is a love of play. Through play, we learn more about our world. The Creative Arts & Design (CAD) team envisions learners as creative builders who use design processes to make the world a better place. They joyfully create using language, music, movement, and visual arts.
There is an emphasis on year-long projects such as co-creating a founding sculpture for the school incorporating the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals as well as shorter term projects considering natural vs. constructed playscapes and what one might create for the ample space Whittle provides.
11:45-12:30 PM
Outdoor Play
Outdoor play is a time for social emotional learning while having fun!
12:30-1:00PM
Lunch
Students are able to independently choose from a wide variety of food options before joining a table of peers and faculty.
Lunch is eaten family-style, and will be a time to enjoy each other’s company, practice social emotional learning skills, and try new foods.
Whittle School & Studios is proud to partner with FLIK to provide nourishment to our community. In FLIK’s own words, “authenticity is the common denominator of the food we bring to the table. From our use of the freshest ingredients procured from local farmers when possible, to our partnership with purveyors who support sustainable practices, we never compromise on the quality of the raw ingredients that make their way into our kitchens.”
1:00-2:00PM
Literacy Workshop
During the literacy mastery band workshop, students work independently and in small groups on reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. They may also spend this time learning or practicing studying their second language.
2:00 - 2:45PM
World Language and Culture
Immersive programs at our campuses combined with age appropriate global rotation will ensure that all students graduate with a level of written and spoken proficiency in a second language that will allow them to work and study in another culture. In English speaking countries such as the United States, Chinese and Spanish will be the most frequently offered second-language choices.
2:45-3:15PM
Community and Reflection
Students and teachers gather to be with one another and reflect on the day spent together. This meeting is designed to help students transition from school to home. As in the morning, this time serves to build classroom community, give students a sense of belonging and ownership, and bring everyone to a shared understanding of the day behind and the day ahead.
3:15-6:00PM
Studios (Optional)
A full list of Studios activities and classes will be offered to all Whittle students on campus until 6pm each day.
