Genius hour is a movement that allows students to explore their own passions and encourages creativity in the classroom. It provides students a choice in what they learn during a set period of time during school.
WHERE PASSIONS COME TO LIFE!
Benefits of Genius Hour:
Genius Hour fosters lifelong creativity and critical thinking. Students can develop more interests and set long term goals. This 20% time allows students to work towards these personal interests and goals.
Genius Hour supports tech-centered classrooms. When students are given the opportunity to explore interests using technology, they will become more comfortable navigating online and become less intimidated by it.
Genius Hour promotes learning beyond the classroom. Students are able to practice navigating non-academic content with a focus on inquiry and research.
Potential Genius Hour Hurdles:
Some students, whether it’s suppressed confidence or lack of confidence, may feel anxiety in a genius hour setting. They might become overwhelmed because they do not know where to start or how to identify their passion project.
Managing Genius Hour in the classroom can become a hurdle for some classroom teachers. The thought of having to manage a classroom of students that are not independent could prevent a teacher from implementing this 20% time. In order to overcome this obstacle, teachers must release responsibility and trust that students will make good use of their time.
I LOVE the link you’ve included for ideas for genius hour. What a great handout or classroom poster to help students thinking. I agree that one of the biggest hurdles is students confidence in pursuing their project/ideas. This list is a great starting point for them to either pick on or use to apply to something that truly interests them.
Hi, Devon!
I thought you did a fantastic job addressing the benefits and hurdles of Genius Hour! One benefit you mentioned that really stood out to me was supporting tech-centered classrooms. Technology will likely change the future of education and it is important to provide our students will the opportunity to explore and be creative with technology. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Devon! Genius Hour allows students to have a choice in their learning, which is motivating to most students. I would really love to see creative students in action! As a second-grade teacher, I would need to discuss and model rules and student responsibilities before my students complete Genius Hour independently. Thanks for sharing Genius Hour ideas!
I LOVE the link you’ve included for ideas for genius hour. What a great handout or classroom poster to help students thinking. I agree that one of the biggest hurdles is students confidence in pursuing their project/ideas. This list is a great starting point for them to either pick on or use to apply to something that truly interests them.
Hi, Devon!
I thought you did a fantastic job addressing the benefits and hurdles of Genius Hour! One benefit you mentioned that really stood out to me was supporting tech-centered classrooms. Technology will likely change the future of education and it is important to provide our students will the opportunity to explore and be creative with technology. Thanks for sharing!
Hi Devon! Genius Hour allows students to have a choice in their learning, which is motivating to most students. I would really love to see creative students in action! As a second-grade teacher, I would need to discuss and model rules and student responsibilities before my students complete Genius Hour independently. Thanks for sharing Genius Hour ideas!