Genius Hour in the Library

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What is Genius Hour?Students will pursue their passion using new and/or existing knowledge to pursue new ideas, solve existing problems, or implement new creations within a given time frame in the library. Genius Hour is passion-based learning using inquiry-based projects.

Key Learning Skills That Lead to 21st Century SuccessWhy Genius Hour?

How Do Students Feel About Genius Hour?

Genius Hour in a Nutshell1. Students pick a topic from an essential question

2. Students decide how they will learn about the topic

3. Students blog, journal and reflect about the process

4. Students make a artifact about the topic

5. Students continue to blog, journal and reflect about the

process

6. The teacher provides support, encouragement, and

guidance

7. Students share their finished project reflecting the answer

to the essential question

Project IdeasWhat IF? - Students are challenged to answer the question: If you could change one thing about _____ ,what would you do? Non-Fiction- Read a selective book then have students challenge the ending by changing its outcome.Standing For Change - After reviewing cyber bullying, students are challenged to invent new ways to prevent cyber bullying.Vocabulary - Create and define a new word that could be added to the Webster Dictionary. Add a picture or illustration.

Examples: The Global Genuis Hour Projects

Share strategies within the class for project ideas or essential questions in the library…1.

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Note: Go to todaysmeet.com/geniushourlibrary to see additional project ideas and essential questions.

In the library or classroom, what could be the essential question to help inspire this idea?

Learn From Your Mistakes

Article: Why I Abandoned Genius Hour

Free Genuis Hour Course

Free workshop offering videos, articles, guides, and handouts to help you implement GenuisHour.

1. Module 1 – Why 20% Time

2. Module 2 – How to Get Started

3. Module 3 – Navigating the Project’s Ups and Downs

4. Module 4 – Final Presentations, Grading, and Reflections

Tips for Implementing Genius Hour1. Get others involved! Share your idea of Genius Hour with your principal and other teachers. 2. Set rules and expectations for how Genius Hour works. Make sure these rules do not interfere with the

discovery process... Introducing Genius Hour to Your Students3. Choose a topic, form a wonder wall to post ideas, find a problem to solve, or ask an essential question to

help students get started… Passion-Based Learning Ideas and Resources4. Have students research their idea before beginning.

5. Have students not only verbalize their idea, but write it down as the beginning steps. This will be sketchy…6. While the students are working independently you are still there helping them focus and problem solve.

You will be using that genius hour time to work with them, conference with them, and help them reflect on where they are at in the process.

7. Let go of the control and become the facilitator. You have to learn to let go of the process at a certain point and be fine with letting the kids work at their own pace. Some get stuck in parts and take awhile to get over the hump; while others are zooming ahead. Give timelines for pacing.

8. How do you want your students to show their mastery of their essential question? Video presentation, an interview, a self-written book, storytelling with legos - LEGO Education-StoryVisualizer, newly developed app, or a TED style talk to their peers - 9 TED Talks By Impressive Kids

9. Constantly reflect on the process. What is working with your students, what isn't? Not all genius hours will look the same, and I think that is ok. It is about the engagement and creativity for your kids.

When to Schedule Genius Hour?Students participate in Genius Hour once a week for a set timeframe. During this time, students come into the library throughout the hour to meet their learning needs.

• Before School/After School (Create your own Genius Hour Club, Shark Tan or TED-

Ed Club)

• Group/Class Sessions (Inspire teachers to help promote Genius Hour through the

library for research and solving problems for class projects)

• Lunch

• Independent Study

Firefox ‘Hello’

Dr. Hoggan’s Class

Tools for Creating and Displaying Projects

Share Your Projectshttps://theglobalgeniushourproject.wikispaces.com/

Note: You must join the wiki and get permission to add your projects.

LibraryatGill.Weebly.com

Additional ResourcesWhy Inquiry-driven passion-based learning?

Introducing Genius Hour to your students and staff!

Michelle HeardTechnology Applications Teacher/Trainer/Presenter

michelleheardtech@gmail.compadlet.com/michelleheard/GenuisHour

Rebecca NewmanGT Teacher & Media Specialist

LibraryatGill.weebly.comrjnewman@swbell.net

GeniusHour.comgeniushour.wikispaces.com

Twitter #geniushourtodaysmeet.com/geniushourlibrary

Dr. Hogganbarbarahoggan@rockwallisd.org