tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post454682238896778946..comments2023-10-01T09:44:52.581-04:00Comments on Teaching is Elementary: Genius Hour ReviewedNancy Chttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-58876040662580169692015-04-08T11:20:49.550-04:002015-04-08T11:20:49.550-04:00Thank you for sharing this information -- what a G...Thank you for sharing this information -- what a GREAT post! Do you have your details/information you shared with parents/students? I would love to see it. JBhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10699382865420300024noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-27713989445620790122014-01-05T22:20:51.071-05:002014-01-05T22:20:51.071-05:00Thanks for the post. It's great to know that h...Thanks for the post. It's great to know that having <a href="http://www.educaidtutoring.com" rel="nofollow">elementary ed tutoring</a> is accepted. I really am a strong advocate on tutoring. It's a great kind of learning. Good thing that you had peer tutoring in your school.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-7563903319912097472013-12-06T16:34:11.844-05:002013-12-06T16:34:11.844-05:00You can contact me directly at loundy_mark(at)cusd...You can contact me directly at loundy_mark(at)cusdk8.org or follow me on Twitter at @markloundy<br /><br />I'm Looking forward to hearing from you.<br /><br />Mark Loundy<br />School Instructional Technology Specialist<br />Cupertino Union School DistrictMark Loundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13293789329121510276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-82929849225214601332013-12-06T16:29:21.788-05:002013-12-06T16:29:21.788-05:00I'm so glad to find you. I'm planning an I...I'm so glad to find you. I'm planning an Innovation Week - Genius Hour for my K-5 school and most educators are doing them at middle schools.<br /><br />I a school technology specialist in Cupertino, Calif. and would love to hear your thoughts on adapting these concepts to K-5.Mark Loundyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13293789329121510276noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-12121354143940020302013-12-03T20:27:57.230-05:002013-12-03T20:27:57.230-05:00Hi Kim,
I think you will be hooked once you s...Hi Kim,<br /> I think you will be hooked once you start Genius Hour with your students. If you decide to go forward, let me know. I would love for our classes to connect and share their Genius.<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and commenting!<br /><br />NancyNancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-36292257860763023562013-11-25T21:31:38.272-05:002013-11-25T21:31:38.272-05:00This is such a great post Nancy, thank you. Your p...This is such a great post Nancy, thank you. Your post as well as all the great comments are inspiring, and I am going to investigate how I could do this in my classroom as well! Ms. McLean's 4th grade classhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17800205985470147938noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-59529644557207875742013-02-28T18:34:17.135-05:002013-02-28T18:34:17.135-05:00Alyssa - I'm not sure how I would approach it ...Alyssa - I'm not sure how I would approach it with K-2. Perhaps I would start by exploring things the kids want to learn about. This seems to be the biggest stumbling point that my students had...they didn't have a clear idea or focus. I would visit the Genius Hour Wikispaces in hopes of finding some ideas. <br /><br />http://geniushour.wikispaces.com/<br /><br />Hope this is helpful - I am still a pioneer in this area as well.Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-34794081198299012812013-02-28T07:20:42.981-05:002013-02-28T07:20:42.981-05:00Thank you! I will be sure to check out your blog a...Thank you! I will be sure to check out your blog as well!Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-12397803741546880062013-02-16T15:31:45.599-05:002013-02-16T15:31:45.599-05:00Do you have any suggestions about how to do a &quo...Do you have any suggestions about how to do a "genius hour" with students in K-2? Alyssa Calhounhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12839099893505830983noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-69125679431758444882013-02-02T16:44:19.933-05:002013-02-02T16:44:19.933-05:00Cute blog! I am your newest follower ;)
Mrs. Muri...Cute blog! I am your newest follower ;)<br /><br /><a href="http://mrsmurillosclass.blogspot.com" rel="nofollow">Mrs. Murillo’s Class</a>Teaching for a Causehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12899906601781452212noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-41300309062982816042013-02-01T23:10:35.572-05:002013-02-01T23:10:35.572-05:00JoAnn,
Thank you so much. There are definitely...JoAnn,<br /> Thank you so much. There are definitely things I will do differently. We are already in the planning stages for Genius Hour #2. The kids have already started asking: Can we have Genius Hour today. Must be doing something right if they are becoming excited as well!<br /><br />Thank you for taking the time to comment. <br /><br />NancyNancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-9823965240420753872013-02-01T23:08:43.906-05:002013-02-01T23:08:43.906-05:00I know your students will love it as they love all...I know your students will love it as they love all you do! You are always full of excitement of new learning yourself that it is contagious! Let me know how it goes. Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-29562735090838864472013-01-30T22:39:42.697-05:002013-01-30T22:39:42.697-05:00Aloha Nancy,
I could feel your energy continue to ...Aloha Nancy,<br />I could feel your energy continue to build as I read your post! Wonderful reflection and I loved the way you allowed us to follow your thinking and raise questions many would wonder about. Thanks so much for sharing and best wishes for continued success!<br />JoAnnAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-19140581202019052022013-01-27T11:04:00.592-05:002013-01-27T11:04:00.592-05:00Nancy!!!!!!! Okay, after reading all of this, you ...Nancy!!!!!!! Okay, after reading all of this, you have inspired me to try this too!! You've helped take the fear out of the unknown!!<br />As I usually say, "I would love to be a student in this classroom too" Brava!!<br />ChristyChristy Rockwoodhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13005696217126052642noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-54784419486129184032013-01-27T08:34:02.261-05:002013-01-27T08:34:02.261-05:00Joy,
Thank you so much for responding to my ques...Joy,<br /> Thank you so much for responding to my questions. Initially, I was unhappy that students were working on this at home (mostly because I felt they weren't following directions and also, because I didn't want it to be a 'parent project'). However, I realized how silly I was in that way of thinking. These kids were charged up enough to take time out of their day to start! Really, that is the epitome of learning! <br /><br />The bulletin board idea is great. I know if students contribute to that then perhaps it will fuel ideas for others. I definitely, will change the planning piece for next time. I'm so excited to see if the kids will be just as enthusiastic about the next one. <br /><br />One to one conferences yield so much insight and information. I do with with reading and writing all the time (makes me think I need to start that in Math too! as well as Genius Hour!). <br /><br />Thank you so much for taking time to comment. You, Denise and Gallit have really been wonderful resources and inspirations along this path! <br /><br />Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-16250882170508533942013-01-27T08:27:01.869-05:002013-01-27T08:27:01.869-05:00Hi Gallit,
Most of the kids finished by the sec...Hi Gallit,<br /> Most of the kids finished by the second day (so it was really like 2 hours). Those who had a head start at home were the ones that were done first. <br /><br />Really, I had something in my mind so I wasn't thinking it was too much of a success at the end of the first day because they weren't done. Then I went home and thought about it - of course they would need more time if they wanted to share (which is what they all wanted to do!). <br /><br />I really like your idea of giving them several Fridays to work on it and share every fourth. Students then understand that it really is about the learning and less about the sharing. I don't want it to be a competition. <br /><br />I think I'll plan the next one for a day in February but keep some time the following 2 days to finish. <br /><br />Thank you so much for your help in getting started. You, Denise and Joy have been instrumental in helping me on this journey! <br /><br />The students really loved it!Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-73722180998607377172013-01-26T22:15:04.348-05:002013-01-26T22:15:04.348-05:00Hi Mary,
While I do worry about the curriculum...Hi Mary,<br /> While I do worry about the curriculum I could certainly connect each student's learning to the Common Core as well as the state Frameworks. The real value was what each student learned as was apparent when they described their topics to their classmates. I wonder what took me so long to incorporate this into the classroom. <br /><br /> Thank you for taking the time to comment. Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-50865644369243583172013-01-26T16:18:50.792-05:002013-01-26T16:18:50.792-05:00Nancy,
What a great post! I am so glad that you ...Nancy,<br /><br />What a great post! I am so glad that you and your students enjoyed Genius Hour! <br />Were most of them able to finish their projects in just one hour? I give my students a few 1 hour Genius Hour periods for each inquiry question and then we present every fourth week or so (we have Genius every Friday). <br />One of the most wonderful things about Genius Hour, though, is that it can be adapted in so many ways to make it work! I love hearing about how other classes are incorporating Passion Based Learning into their classrooms. Thank you so much for sharing your class with all of us!<br /><br />Oh, and I with Joy...let them start at home! I love the idea of them beginning their inquiries with their parents!<br /><br />:) Gallit Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06591650557405976201noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-16230742744488663382013-01-26T14:11:55.317-05:002013-01-26T14:11:55.317-05:00Hi Shannon,
I plan to have the next Genius Hour...Hi Shannon,<br /> I plan to have the next Genius Hour in February and see how that goes. Hoping for once a month. I really guided students. Kids using tools needed help in learning how to use them carefully. A pair of students working on comic strips finished and I found another comic strip maker for them to try (in hopes they'd compare/contrast). One student needed assistance in finding pictures (pointed them to some copyright free works); some students needed help with powerpoint (changing colors). One student was on a site that was above his reading level so I helped him find a more suitable one for his needs. I went around questioning when I was not helping. As I said, I did have another adult in the room. Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-8466321265902428492013-01-26T11:03:36.501-05:002013-01-26T11:03:36.501-05:00Nancy,
First of all, thank you for tweeting your ...Nancy,<br /><br />First of all, thank you for tweeting your blog post out to me - I haven't been on Twitter in the past couple of days and would have missed this post!! Also, I've only read Denise's comment so far, so please excuse me if I am repeating someone else today.<br /><br />I can feel the excitement from your classroom coming through in your words. This, I know, will inspire you to keep it up. I heard from a student on Thursday, "My mom thinks it's great we can learn what we want in school - she wishes she had Genius Hour when she was growing up, too!"<br /><br />You asked some questions, so I'll see if I can weigh in...<br />-PLEASE let students start their work at home. This is the BEST homework EVER! It's okay if parents help, as that means they are involved in the student learning, too! What an excellent way to encourage passion-driven learning.<br />-Students who are not sure what to pursue? I have that right now, too. I try different things throughout the year. My next step is a bulletin board, asking students to post three things - 1) "I wonder..." 2) "I am a genius when it comes to..." and 3) "If I could take a class on ANYthing, it would be..." Hopefully these will spur on some of my students once again. I've seen other ideas in other Genius Hour posts, as well - even just asking students to list 10 things they don't know, but would like to know, or 10 things they'd like to share about what they DO know, etc. This is a constant in our classrooms, and it's because of what your colleague said - they are SOOOO not used to choosing their own learning.<br />- Power tools? I'd ask administration. Maybe they could do the planning at school, and the construction under parent supervision. ;-)<br />- Back-up plans? They can do as Denise suggested, or they can plan towards their next project, as well. Writing a reflection piece could work, too.<br /><br />I love my 1-1 conferences, so good luck with those! It's such a learning curve, but I can tell from your post how excited you are about this change in the classroom! Enjoy the heck out of it - it sounds like the kids do!<br />Best wishes,<br />JoyJoy Kirrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08883167887036480979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-1123105716848249522013-01-26T10:43:20.984-05:002013-01-26T10:43:20.984-05:00Nancy~
You never cease to amaze me!!! I wish I wa...Nancy~<br />You never cease to amaze me!!! I wish I was in your classroom! What an awesome idea. I think we often have so much curriculum to get through that we can lose sight of the power of having the students embrace their own learning. However, think of how much WAS covered through this experience. Thanks for sharing your amazing teaching and reflections! <br />:)<br />Mary Salamonenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-32672953349833922172013-01-26T08:56:04.131-05:002013-01-26T08:56:04.131-05:00:) ill check out that link.
2 more quick question...:) ill check out that link.<br /><br />2 more quick questions.<br /><br />1. Are you doing this once each week, month?<br /><br />2. How much assistance did you give students while they were working?<br /><br />Thanks!! ShannonShannonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13149662695273911122noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-48172033683014372712013-01-26T08:38:57.716-05:002013-01-26T08:38:57.716-05:00Shannon,
It has taken me a year of reading post...Shannon,<br /> It has taken me a year of reading posts and tweets about Genius Hour. I'm not sure why I waited so long (perhaps because my students are fourth graders, perhaps I was worried about the curriculum). So glad that we finally attempted it. The kids really got a lot out of it and to me, that's what learning is supposed to be all about. Can't wait to see what happens at the next Genius Hour! <br /> I am self-contained and have 20 students. I was able to have access to about 10 computers (3 desktops & 7 laptops). This really helped for those who were doing research-based topics. Also, I have an aide in my classroom who is invaluable as she helped one of the students learn how to sew! It really was nice to have someone else in the classroom. <br /> Please let me know if I can help/guide you in your first Genius Hour! Check out this for more information: http://geniushour.wikispaces.com/<br /> Thank you for taking the time to comment & congrats on your longest run! Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-22691039776799871522013-01-26T08:26:28.984-05:002013-01-26T08:26:28.984-05:00Mary - You are so right. It took me a bit to see ...Mary - You are so right. It took me a bit to see that but they really were excited about getting started at home. Homework should be purposeful and this seemed to be the case for many students! <br /><br />You can be sure that I'll be sharing more Genius Hours.<br /><br />Thanks for commenting!Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4062787008829792602.post-51313209213046558352013-01-26T08:24:54.663-05:002013-01-26T08:24:54.663-05:00Hi Amy,
So happy you found my blog!! I started ...Hi Amy,<br /> So happy you found my blog!! I started prepping the idea of Genius Hour two weeks before the actual day. Then a couple days before I had them completing an objective worksheet so I could see their plan. I think I would do this further in advance so that I could guide them a little better. They didn't really get the word "Objective" but will continue to review that with them for the next time. <br /> I like Denise's idea of having the students take videos & blog about their experience. For some students (thinking of the boy with the exploding volcano) it was rather messy & not sure he could have stopped to take pictures (although I did happen to film the eruption for him so he could share that with the class). <br /> My students got totally hung up on the sharing piece. They wanted everyone to see their work. I wanted them to be more focused about what they were doing rather than worry about sharing. In the end, the sharing piece turned out to be the best idea (although it took more time). <br /> I totally think you could pull it off this Friday, but if you wanted to introduce the idea and discuss it - have them make a plan - they might need another week. <br /> We should start an Edmodo Group for Genius Hour! How fun will that be to share our Genius with others! <br /> So glad you commented! Nancy Chttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17785303835521700957noreply@blogger.com