Want to learn more about Genius Hour in the classroom? Check out my video:
I used Screencast-O-Matic to record my audio as I explained my Google Slides presentation. I found Screencast-O-Matic to be very easy to use (it was my first time) and liked that it linked directly to YouTube. Through my research (and there are TONS of articles and resources out there) I feel much more familiar with Genius Hour. My hope is that you find this to be a helpful resource to your adventure with Genius Hour!
To begin my research I got really creative and went to..... www.geniushour.com. Little did I know, I hit the jackpot! This website has tons of resources, ranging from articles associated with Genius Hour, book recommendations and video tutorials. There is a series of 4 videos by AJ Juliana that goes into detail about what Genius Hour is, how to get started in your classroom and how to handle the ups and downs. I would highly recommend these videos to anyone looking to use Genius Hour in their classroom. This guy definitely knows his stuff, and has many connections to other professionals in the field.
Next I got in touch with a teacher from my school district, Sarah Umberger, who used Genius Hour in her 4th grade classroom last year. I reached out to her via e-mail with some questions which she answered. Here is the information I gathered:
1. Describe what genius hour looks like in your classroom.
Genius hour is once a week for about an hour, give or take depending on time. The beginning is a lot of discussion about passions and interests. We have a whole class discussion and then I allow students to write ideas down on sticky notes. After a couple days of thinking, the students decide on a topic for their research. I schedule time for us to go to the computer lab, but the students must have questions (at least 3) to research and a goal in mind for the day before we go. They take paper and a pencil with them to take notes. They are also allowed to print out information to read and highlight later. I guide them to websites and resources without taking too much control. This is all about them and their process. I give them about 3 weeks to complete their research. When research is done the students decide on a way that they would like to present their information to their classmates. I help out by providing some supplies, but the ideas are completely their own. The students have the option to complete the final project during Genius Hour time in the classroom or they can work at home. Students recruit their classmates for assistance if needed. I allow about 3 weeks for the projects as well. Then I schedule a “Passion Project Fair” where parents can come in a see the students’ projects. We set it up like a science fair where the parents and other classes are welcome to come and walk around to look at the projects. The students are well prepared to talk to people about their topic and what they learned.
2. What are some of your greatest successes with genius hour?
The greatest success for me was when we were only half way through the project and the kids were begging to do another one because they had another topic in mind that they wanted to research. The motivation my students had to learn was the best thing that came out of the whole project! Another success was seeing and hearing my students discuss what they had learned with one another. They wanted to share their knowledge and be the teachers. I included the higher level intensive learning support students in this project as well. They chose topics like a specific animal, but they thought of a topic, did the research (with help), and put together a poster project to share. They proudly stood next to their projects and talked to parents about them. That was pretty cool to see too.
3. What are some advantages you have experienced using genius hour? Disadvantages?
One advantage to Genius Hour is that students learn how to do research. This is not something we necessarily teach, but it is an extremely valuable skill. They also learn how to appropriately use the internet, which is also important. The biggest disadvantage for me was that it is a difficult project to differentiate for your lower level students. You end up doing a lot of the research for them. I’m still trying to figure that one out. Another disadvantage was my slow working students got behind and ended up rushing to finish. As much as I tried to keep them on a schedule, it was hard for them. The last thing is not really a disadvantage, but more of a challenge. You have to give up some teaching time. It is so hard sometimes to let go of that time that we know we should be using to teach grammar or fractions, or whatever, but there are skills within Genius Hour that are important to teach as well.
4. Have you received any parent feedback about genius hour?
The look on the faces of my parents when they saw these projects was feedback enough. They could not believe that their children had done this whole project completely on their own. Again, I really try to step back and do nothing expect maybe provide a little guidance. Parents thanked me for putting the project together and were just in awe of how much time, effort, and work their kids had put in. I had one parent tell me that they learned so much by talking to the students!
After Sarah's wonderful insight I wanted to learn more, so we had a Google Hangout On Air that includes some follow-up questions:
To begin my research I got really creative and went to..... www.geniushour.com. Little did I know, I hit the jackpot! This website has tons of resources, ranging from articles associated with Genius Hour, book recommendations and video tutorials. There is a series of 4 videos by AJ Juliana that goes into detail about what Genius Hour is, how to get started in your classroom and how to handle the ups and downs. I would highly recommend these videos to anyone looking to use Genius Hour in their classroom. This guy definitely knows his stuff, and has many connections to other professionals in the field.
Next I got in touch with a teacher from my school district, Sarah Umberger, who used Genius Hour in her 4th grade classroom last year. I reached out to her via e-mail with some questions which she answered. Here is the information I gathered:
1. Describe what genius hour looks like in your classroom.
Genius hour is once a week for about an hour, give or take depending on time. The beginning is a lot of discussion about passions and interests. We have a whole class discussion and then I allow students to write ideas down on sticky notes. After a couple days of thinking, the students decide on a topic for their research. I schedule time for us to go to the computer lab, but the students must have questions (at least 3) to research and a goal in mind for the day before we go. They take paper and a pencil with them to take notes. They are also allowed to print out information to read and highlight later. I guide them to websites and resources without taking too much control. This is all about them and their process. I give them about 3 weeks to complete their research. When research is done the students decide on a way that they would like to present their information to their classmates. I help out by providing some supplies, but the ideas are completely their own. The students have the option to complete the final project during Genius Hour time in the classroom or they can work at home. Students recruit their classmates for assistance if needed. I allow about 3 weeks for the projects as well. Then I schedule a “Passion Project Fair” where parents can come in a see the students’ projects. We set it up like a science fair where the parents and other classes are welcome to come and walk around to look at the projects. The students are well prepared to talk to people about their topic and what they learned.
2. What are some of your greatest successes with genius hour?
The greatest success for me was when we were only half way through the project and the kids were begging to do another one because they had another topic in mind that they wanted to research. The motivation my students had to learn was the best thing that came out of the whole project! Another success was seeing and hearing my students discuss what they had learned with one another. They wanted to share their knowledge and be the teachers. I included the higher level intensive learning support students in this project as well. They chose topics like a specific animal, but they thought of a topic, did the research (with help), and put together a poster project to share. They proudly stood next to their projects and talked to parents about them. That was pretty cool to see too.
3. What are some advantages you have experienced using genius hour? Disadvantages?
One advantage to Genius Hour is that students learn how to do research. This is not something we necessarily teach, but it is an extremely valuable skill. They also learn how to appropriately use the internet, which is also important. The biggest disadvantage for me was that it is a difficult project to differentiate for your lower level students. You end up doing a lot of the research for them. I’m still trying to figure that one out. Another disadvantage was my slow working students got behind and ended up rushing to finish. As much as I tried to keep them on a schedule, it was hard for them. The last thing is not really a disadvantage, but more of a challenge. You have to give up some teaching time. It is so hard sometimes to let go of that time that we know we should be using to teach grammar or fractions, or whatever, but there are skills within Genius Hour that are important to teach as well.
4. Have you received any parent feedback about genius hour?
The look on the faces of my parents when they saw these projects was feedback enough. They could not believe that their children had done this whole project completely on their own. Again, I really try to step back and do nothing expect maybe provide a little guidance. Parents thanked me for putting the project together and were just in awe of how much time, effort, and work their kids had put in. I had one parent tell me that they learned so much by talking to the students!
After Sarah's wonderful insight I wanted to learn more, so we had a Google Hangout On Air that includes some follow-up questions:
I hope these resources help you integrate Genius Hour into your classroom. For more articles and other resources about Genius Hour, check out my Flipboard.