1. Genius Hour
WHAT’S ALL THE FUSS ABOUT GENIUSES ANYWAYS?
A FEW RESOURCES & IDEAS CURATED BY JENN STEWART-MITCHELL

2. Genius Hour Manifesto

3. What is Genius Hour?

4. Components of Genius Hour
Three Components
 1. Driving Question
 2. Research
 3. Share the Project with the
World

5. How does Inquiry Fit into Genius Hour?
 Provides students self-directed time to pursue
their passions, choose what they will master,
inquire about their own curiosities.
 Enhances information and digital literacy
skills, as well as curiosity, connectivity and
creativity.
 Students have the opportunity to take
control of the essential and driving questions
that will guide them in their learning.
How can your Teacher Librarian
help you???

6. Why is it Worth Class Time?

7. How Do I Assess Genius Hour?
Self Assessment & Teacher Assessment
• Blogging
• Vlogging (video logging)
• Peer assessment
• Research & Depth of Inquiry
• Digital Portfolio of learning in project
• Many cross-curricular connections

8. How Do We Share With the World?

9. On-line Resources to Explore
Stewie’s Smart Thoughts…
http://stewiessmartthoughts.blogspot.ca/2014/07/
calling-all-geniuses.html
Genius Hour LiveBinder created by Joyce Kirr
http://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=829279
&present=true
Global Genius Hour Project
https://theglobalgeniushourproject.wikispaces.co
m/
The Passion Project Infographic
https://magic.piktochart.com/v/b3f4942a-616f-
4241-bec0-14dc30307aba
My Own Genius Hour Blog
http://geniushour.blogspot.ca/2014/07/genius-hour-
how-about-genius-curriculum.html
Genius Road Blog
https://geniusroad.wordpress.com/tag/ted-talk/
Ms. Bertrand’s Class Blog – Great visuals!
http://msbertrandsclass.weebly.com/genius-hour.
html
Genius Hour Planning Form
https://docs.google.com/file/d/0B1vHluJVMI8md3
FtVXJhSG1ZNlk/edit?pli=1

11. Introducing Genius Hour to Students

12. How do You Begin?
 Brainstorm ideas, events –
things I care about.
 Narrow down the ideas.
What can I achieve within
the time available?
 What tools or resources will I
need?

13. Driving Question
 Find your question!
What do you want to know?
What do you want to be able
to do?
 Every project needs a DRIVING
QUESTION that will take time,
deep thought, and research to
find an answer.

14. Research
 What are your key words?
What do you need to find out?
What are potential places to
find the answers?
 Set up a plan - What to do,
when to do it, how to do it.
 Research from a variety of
sources: the Internet, on-line
Encyclopedia, on-line
magazines, books, databases,
experts

15. Research, Record and Blog
 RECORD THE PROCESS
 Keep your journey alive!
Take photos, video and upload to your blog!
 Blog or Vlog about what you’ve learned.
 SELF EVALUATE AS YOU GO
 Check your progress! Are there any road
blocks or adjustments that need to be made?
Analyze your progress, are you on-track?
 Share with other Geniuses! Get ideas,
feedback.

16. Sharing your Knowledge
How will you share what
you’ve learned with the
world?

17. Reflection on Learning
Reflect on your learning from
your project…
 What worked?
 What was challenging?
 What would you change?
 What skills did you develop?
 Most importantly, WAS IT FUN?
 Can you make it better? Can you
share it further?