What's the right way to do Genius hour?

We have learned that there is not a right way or formula to do this.  In fact, Joy Kirr, an author of the book, "Shift This" and genius hour enthusiast, insists that you have to do what works for your classroom.  We have to make this process our own.  So, this website is our own process.  Below are some hiccups that didn't go the way we suspected or things we didn't think would happen.  Good or bad, they are are ours.  We put this website out there so others could see what we have done.  We hope others will ask us questions to push our thinking.  We will use this site to reflect on our work and to push our own thinking.  We know that what we have done will most likely not work perfectly for you.  So take or leave what you find here.  It is your journey to take with your own unique set of individuals in your own class.  Take the journey together.  We have not regretted our choice to start genius hour.

 

Genius-ness

A word just for our class was born.  "Genius-ness."  It means you are showing you are showing your bright light and we see it.

Examples:

• You definitely have “GENIUS-NESS” in you! Who knows your next mistake may become the most creative creation ever! 

• I think with your creative mind you will show your “genius-ness” in many different ways.

 

What didn't necessarily work for OUR kids

The Caine's Arcade has a bad word in one part of the video.  It's in the background.  It isn't said but you can see it.  Just be aware of that.  The kids love Kid President but they didn't really get his message.  

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Your literal learners may get stuck

We have one student who is very literal with that you say.  When we gave them 10 minutes to complete a drawing that was semi-started for them, (a circle with small lines like the beginnings of a clock) all he could do was see it as a clock.  He started making hands of a clock, identifying the time and then erasing.  So, I asked him what other things look like a big circle.  He did not respond.  So, I told him it looked like a button to me and the idea to make the circle shape into an elevator was born.  Some student will need need more prompts before they can begin.  

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Teacher Struggles:

We are trying to get ready to jump and "let it go".  It's so hard to summon our inner "Elsa" and let go of the control.  What if they fail?  What if they don't know what to do?  What is they don't make something?  How will we get resources to every child when they are ready for them?  At some point you probably just have to let. it. go.

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It's SO hard to not focus on the PRODUCT.  We are doing our best to to keep the focus on the PROCESS.   It's a mindshift that we are working to change.  

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We will have more hiccups to share in the near future...