The Idea of Genius Hour
I love the idea of Genius Hour because I am the type of person who wants to know
the answer to a question immediately. I use my computer while friends are constantly
using Smartphones. Either way, we are a group of people who want our questions
answered instead of wondering what the answer may be. Don’t get me wrong, first, we
brainstorm the answer: this is adults in my personal life as well as the students in
my classroom. I model how I think, how I work out a question seeking the answer.
Then, it is time to search for the answer. And I also model using 2-3 sources to confirm
the answer is correct using evidence from multiple sources.
the answer to a question immediately. I use my computer while friends are constantly
using Smartphones. Either way, we are a group of people who want our questions
answered instead of wondering what the answer may be. Don’t get me wrong, first, we
brainstorm the answer: this is adults in my personal life as well as the students in
my classroom. I model how I think, how I work out a question seeking the answer.
Then, it is time to search for the answer. And I also model using 2-3 sources to confirm
the answer is correct using evidence from multiple sources.
Struggles
This specific question was easy to answer: How to restore old windows.
Renovation is something I am familiar with and enjoy. I know specific sites to
begin with like This Old House. I find myself taking far more time that I has
intended to find and answer. Sometimes, website have links and before I know it,
I have wandered onto other topics of interests. So my hurdle is focus.
Think Pinterest.Fortunately, today I was on a mission and remained focused.
I found great resources to learn from and developed this slide presentation
for future use- this summer!
Renovation is something I am familiar with and enjoy. I know specific sites to
begin with like This Old House. I find myself taking far more time that I has
intended to find and answer. Sometimes, website have links and before I know it,
I have wandered onto other topics of interests. So my hurdle is focus.
Think Pinterest.Fortunately, today I was on a mission and remained focused.
I found great resources to learn from and developed this slide presentation
for future use- this summer!
 |
| Slide Show |
Victories
The victories really are the wanderings as I find lots of youtube videos on restoration.
Being a visual learner, the videos are best for me. And I like to replay the videos
twice before I begin the task to ensure understanding. Think, measure twice cut once!
Being a visual learner, the videos are best for me. And I like to replay the videos
twice before I begin the task to ensure understanding. Think, measure twice cut once!
Genius Hour- teaching and learning
My administrator has already requested that we find time in our day to offer 30 minutes
of Genius Hour to our students. I have elected to make it part of my Soft Start in the
morning. Every team of 2-3 students has an opportunity to input questions that
they/ the class have had in the days leading up to Genius Minutes. I write their
questions on the whiteboard and photograph them. The questions are them projected
onto the screen in the AM during Soft Start. The students have investigated everything
we have read about from the Eiffel Tower to the Statue of Liberty to why pumpkins are
orange. They love it! Our biggest hurdle is the limited exposure to the keyboard that
the students have. We use Google Safe Search and Kiddle.co.
of Genius Hour to our students. I have elected to make it part of my Soft Start in the
morning. Every team of 2-3 students has an opportunity to input questions that
they/ the class have had in the days leading up to Genius Minutes. I write their
questions on the whiteboard and photograph them. The questions are them projected
onto the screen in the AM during Soft Start. The students have investigated everything
we have read about from the Eiffel Tower to the Statue of Liberty to why pumpkins are
orange. They love it! Our biggest hurdle is the limited exposure to the keyboard that
the students have. We use Google Safe Search and Kiddle.co.
Hi Joan.
ReplyDeleteI think that it is great that your administrative team is on board with Genius Hour. The idea of devoting time for students to engage themselves in learning about a topic of interest is absolutely wonderful. It is even better that you have already incorporated it into your class. Do you have a summative or culminating activity planned at the end for students to share what they have learned?
Thanks for sharing,
Lisa
I have interviewed students on SeeSaw and shared with parents. I want students to analyze what they have done/built as a formative assessment. My goal is self-reflection with no judgement from me, just guidance. Next steps beginning next week: reflective sheets for students to assess what their next steps are in written word or a plan mapped out as a drawing.
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