Genius hour an introduction J. Southmayd, 2016

On a Beam of Light: A Story of Albert Einstein Your job as we read: Focus on the questions… Read aloud, pausing to zoom in on questions to help conversation after.

What questions did Albert ask, that others didn’t? Questions from the Text What do you notice about his questions? I annotate over my desktop with ActivInspire and jot down student thinking. Alternative: do this t-chart on chart paper. Students should notice that Albert’s questions are not searchable via google, that they are thought-provoking, they are either wonderings or problems that he comes across throughout his day, the answers to his question are unknown (not yes/no or factual), etc.

10 minutes to write: What do you do for fun? My students use their Genius notebook for their writing, brainstorming, and research—their writer’s notebook would also work.

Now, turn and talk with a partner to discuss the following questions: Caine’s Arcade While we watch this video, your job is to: Focus on the “why” behind Caine’s Arcade Now, turn and talk with a partner to discuss the following questions: Do you like learning something specific in school? What do you like to learn about outside of school? What’s the last thing you learned that no one told you to learn? Watch Caine’s video (hyperlink in the slide), remind students of their job while watching. Discuss the “why” after finishing the video. Then have students turn and talk with a partner to discuss the questions on the slide.

10 minutes to write: What are you curious about? Again, my students are using their Genius notebook, but writer’s notebook would also work.

Audri’s Rube Goldberg Monster Trap What did Audri KNOW? What did Audri WANT to LEARN? Watch Audri’s video, then build Audri’s KWL chart together. I annotate over the desktop in ActivInspire, but you could use chart paper. Link to video is in the Title.

10 minutes to write: What have you always wanted to make or create or do? Again, my students are using their Genius notebook, but writer’s notebook would also work.

Genius Hour passion bracket Now that your ideas are flowing, it’s time to start writing them down! In the top right quadrant, write what you learned in school or the past few years on your own that you want to learn more about. In the top left quadrant, write down what you like to do on the weekends. I print the bracket from the Genius Hour resources and give students my printed directions—available on Schoology. I also leave this screen up as a visual reminder. In the bottom left quadrant, write what you daydream or doodle about in school when you are supposed to be listening or doing work. In the bottom right quadrant, write down the things you think you’ll do in 5 years, in 10 years, as a college major, as a career, etc.

Time to narrow down your ideas! Now that your bracket is complete, it’s time to narrow it down. Within each quadrant, your ideas will “compete” against each other. Only one may move on to the next round. Your ultimate “champion” choice will be your Genius Hour topic.

K-W-L You’ve determined your Genius Hour topic, so now it’s time to identify what you already know and what you want to know. This information will help to guide your research. What do I KNOW? What do I WANT to KNOW? What did I LEARN? Students can draw KWL in their notebook and begin filling in the first two sections.