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 time.
During term 1, students will learn about asking good questions, the difference between a thin and thick question, how to properly conduct research, learn what is reputable information on the internet and how to further develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills. As we move into term 2, students will be presented with the task of selecting a topic of their choice and developing a thick question about that topic to investigate over several weeks. At the end of this investigation, students will present a multi-media project to the class demonstrating everything they have learned.
Students will spend approximately 1 hour per week researching a topic that they are passionate about. They will consider a variety of sources. They will conference with their teacher about their learning. Students will then determine a creative way to share their learning with peers once the project is complete. A requirement is that students always have work to do at school during assigned work periods. Basic materials such as tape, construction paper, and art supplies are available at the school, however, materials needed beyond this will need to be brought in from home. This is NOT a project to be done at home, or WITH parental or guardian support.
In order to generate potential ideas for Genius Hour, students will compose a list of their current loves, likes and passions. They will make a list of what they like to do when they are not in school. If they could learn about anything in the world, what would it be? What do they wonder about?
Some ideas include
*How to create a simple electronic robot
*learning about endangered species and what the world would be like without them
*How to create a stop motion movie
*How special effects teams create special effects in movies such as Star Wars
*What would happen if all the polar ice caps melt?
*What goes into designing a video game like Minecraft?
During term 1, students will learn about asking good questions, the difference between a thin and thick question, how to properly conduct research, learn what is reputable information on the internet and how to further develop their critical thinking and problem solving skills. As we move into term 2, students will be presented with the task of selecting a topic of their choice and developing a thick question about that topic to investigate over several weeks. At the end of this investigation, students will present a multi-media project to the class demonstrating everything they have learned.
Students will spend approximately 1 hour per week researching a topic that they are passionate about. They will consider a variety of sources. They will conference with their teacher about their learning. Students will then determine a creative way to share their learning with peers once the project is complete. A requirement is that students always have work to do at school during assigned work periods. Basic materials such as tape, construction paper, and art supplies are available at the school, however, materials needed beyond this will need to be brought in from home. This is NOT a project to be done at home, or WITH parental or guardian support.
In order to generate potential ideas for Genius Hour, students will compose a list of their current loves, likes and passions. They will make a list of what they like to do when they are not in school. If they could learn about anything in the world, what would it be? What do they wonder about?
Some ideas include
*How to create a simple electronic robot
*learning about endangered species and what the world would be like without them
*How to create a stop motion movie
*How special effects teams create special effects in movies such as Star Wars
*What would happen if all the polar ice caps melt?
*What goes into designing a video game like Minecraft?