RESOURCES
Quarter One: Essential Questions and Research
GENIUS HOUR EVERY FRIDAY
Technology Readily Available
Day One: Introduce Genius Hour
I give the same talk about making education relevant, making use of what you are learning in school, tying everything together from different classes. I use the PPT presentation in the Resources Folder.
Basically, this is my script: http://thisworkaholicwantstogotorehab.blogspot.com/2013/08/sweet-genius-hour.html
Then, I give the students a week to think. What are they passionate about? What is a societal problem they want to fix? They need to come in with brainstorms for the next session.
Day Two/Three: Essential Questions/SubQuestions
So now the students have had a chance to think, they should turn their topic into an essential question that will guide their research.
For example, I have a student who is super interested in mythology, but doesnt want to come across as ripping off Percy Jackson. So… his essential question was “How can things be explained differently?”
On day two, the students create and have approved their Essential Question. Their final project will be an answer to this question. Then, they write their possibilities on a piece of paper, and we tape them to the wall to be an inspiration to others.
When they have an essential question approved, they create sub questions (template is in the folder) that will help them to answer their essential question. I meet with each group/student the following week and help them to format these questions to make a good project.
Day 4: Introduction to Research
This part many media specialists are happy to help with, if you are not familiar with databases, etc! I usually go over the following:
- Where to look for information
- Letting research guide you to an answer vs. finding the answer in your research
- Researching vs. copying and pasting
- Good and bad sources
- What to do when you get stuck
The students then begin researching their sub questions. They should have a list of possible google searches that could help them from the last GH, so they have a good place to start. I help as needed.
Day 5 - End of Q1: Research
Then the students start their research, and use the Research Templates to store their information. They turn their research templates in on their individual due dates via Google Folders. Examples attached. I also included my spreadsheet that helps me track which students are on time with their submissions and which are not… green means on time, yellow means late, white is missing (and I just included examples, not the final spreadhseet!)
Quarter Two: The Project Proposal
GENIUS HOUR EVERY OTHER FRIDAY
Technology Available
The first thing that I have the students do is self assess using the rubric where they are with their research. If there is anything left that they have to research, they write “To Do Lists” with due dates, and submit that during the first meeting.
Then, the students start work on their proposals:
Days One - Four: Part I
Part One of the Project Proposal is having the students use their research to answer their sub questions. From there, students then use their answers to then answer their Essential Question. This takes the form of a formal paper, and we discuss argumentation (claim, warrant, backing, impact), citation, and introductions/conclusions. This typically takes students the longest, so they get a month to finish.
Day Five - Six: Part II/III
Part two of the proposal is where students create a product that will showcase their learning in a creative and innovative way. We discuss the difference between a report and a project, and here I do the most guiding. Many students just want to build a model, which is something that they have been taught is creative in the past, but it does nothing to apply the information that they have earned. Part Three gets down to the nitty gritty of this, asking students why their project is valuable… why is it not just a report? This is usually the shortest section, but also the most meaningful for the students.
Day Six: Parts IV and V
This is the planning section, where students take their concept and map out how to make it a reality in specific steps, with due dates. This is put into the semester two spreadsheet for tracking. Part Five is a simple question - is there anything else you need to research before you begin? Its a last minute deep breath before things become crazy!
Day Seven - End of Q2: Researching/Tweaking
If I need to meet with a student/group, I do it on these extra days. Otherwise, the students are researching, or planning, or even creating!
Last Meeting: Genius Week!
The students turn their project proposals into PPT presentations, and present their findings to the class. They ask for specific feedback from the class about where to take their project. Do not skip this step - it is by far one of my favorite parts of Genius Hour!
Semester Two: Creation
GENIUS HOUR EVERY WEEK TO BI WEEKLY
Students bring own materials
In January, when the students come back from break, I check in with them and have them re-map their due dates and to do list for the project. In addition, at the beginning of both Q3 and Q4, I ask the students the following questions (they write down the answers):
- How is your project progressing?
- What have you been most excited about?
- Where is one area that you are having trouble with?
- What is one thing you are doing well?
- What is one thing you can improve upon?
How you structure semester two is up to you - I try to meet with students at least once during the quarter to check in, and then the students who need more structure meet with me more frequently to discuss their project and to keep them on track. The self-assessment forms are super helpful during meetings because it allows me to ask more targeted questions.
At the beginning of Q4, I set the final “Genius Day” for the students. On this day, we do a Gallery Walk in class and in the Evening. Students bring in their products, and a poster describing their project and process. During the day, we ask questions about each other’s projects to try to extend learning. At night, we invite students from other classes, administration, and community members to come and see what the students have done and celebrate their Genius. The event lasts about an hour in the evening.
The last step is one last self-assessment, using the rubric, and having the students answer the follow up questions they received on Genius Day… our Genius Day this year is May 7th, and I will post pictures then!
