Genius Hours: What is it? Why? Quick How-to, and a Lesson Plan (for a small fee)

Genius Hour

Overview

The Genius Hour Project traditionally sets aside 20% of class time to pursue a topic students are passionate about. An after school setting follows these basics, but adapted to a full-time exploration of the topic.

Basics

While immersing themselves in a topic they love, Genius Hour also teaches students how to pursue a goal important to them. That means fulfilling 8 specific benchmarks:

Brainstorm to come up with a topic that fits required parameters.
Write a paragraph of at least five lines on why this topic is important to learn.
Write another paragraph about what student already knows on the topic and what s/he needs to learn.
Create a list of five research questions to guide inquiry including where to find the answers. These will be approved by the teacher.
Pitch conclusions to the group (on Project Pitch Day). Student must be persuasive and use evidence to convince classmates this is a worthwhile topic. Student should plan to use Prezi, HaikuDeck, Voki or another presentation method that fits their communication style.
Now go forth! Enjoy the research.
When done, create a presentation that will share research and conclusions with classmates.
On Project Presentation Day, present research and take audience questions. Use tools similar to those used on Project Pitch Day.

While this is student-paced and self-directed, the teacher overseas each benchmark.

Assessment Strategies

Annotated workbook (if using)
Worked independently
Made progress on project
Used good keyboarding habits
Joined classroom conversations
[tried to] solve own problems
Decisions followed class rules
Left room as s/he found it
Higher order thinking: analysis, evaluation, synthesis
Habits of mind observed

Big Idea

Students dig deeply into a topic that interests them, and create a product or presentation that displays their passion

Teacher Preparation

Introduce Genius Hour with a video about passions (like TED Talk Science of Motivation).
Find time for Genius Hour in your class schedule.

If you’d like a video of this, check this one out:

For a complete Lesson plan, click here

Here’s the sign-up link if the image above doesn’t work:

https://forms.aweber.com/form/07/1910174607.htm

“The content presented in this blog are the result of creative imagination and not intended for use, reproduction, or incorporation into any artificial intelligence training or machine learning systems without prior written consent from the author.”

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.

Author: Jacqui

Jacqui Murray has been teaching K-18 technology for 30 years. She is the editor/author of over a hundred tech ed resources including a K-12 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum. She is an adjunct professor in tech ed, Master Teacher, an Amazon Vine Voice, freelance journalist on tech ed topics, contributor to NEA Today, and author of the tech thrillers, To Hunt a Sub and Twenty-four Days. You can find her resources at Structured Learning.