This document discusses Genius Hour, an approach to learning where students choose independent projects to research on topics that interest them. It provides background on Genius Hour, which is based on Google's 20% model. The document outlines the steps for implementing Genius Hour in elementary classrooms, including using interest inventories, getting parental support, providing resources and supplies, and sharing completed student projects. Benefits highlighted are that both students and parents enjoy Genius Hour, it allows learning about students' interests and seeing their creativity.

1. Genius Hour
in the Elementary Classroom
Presented By:
Emily Schmidt & Martha Smith
March 2015
http://goo.gl/upbhru

2. Emily Schmidt
emily.schmidt@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Martha Smith
martha.smith@cabarrus.k12.nc.us
Who Are We?

3. What is Genius Hour?
Genius Hour is based on the
20% model used at Google.
Students CHOOSE what
they’d like to study from how
to bake a cake to how to
program a robot.

4. Genius Hour
Wonder Workshop
Innovation Hour
Passion Projects
20% Time

5. GETTING
STARTED

6. Interest Inventory
for Students
Letter to
Parents

7. First, students pick a project
and make a plan.

8. Then, students begin
researching their topics.

9. Students continue researching
and begin to create and build.

10. Students share what they’ve
learned.

11. Helpful
Hints

12. Time
Make it a regular part of your schedule

13. Groups
Try to group students based on their interests. It is easiest
when there is more than one student working on a topic.

14. Supplies
*Ask for donations from
parents and community
members.
*DonorsChoose
We’ve been able to fund
Dot and Dash Robots and
littleBits Electronics Kits
thanks to DonorsChoose!

15. Help
Enlist the help of volunteers and other available
staff members.

16. Storage
Create a space to store your Genius Hour supplies.

17. Create a blendspace page for each topic of study. This gives
students access to credible resources to use during Genius Hour.

18. Expose Students to New Topics
Computer Programming - Dot and
Dash, Scratch, Tynker
Arts - Sewing, Pottery, Knitting, Music
Engineering - Goldiblocks, Roominate,
littleBits
Cooking
Movie Making
Fashion - Sewing, Jewelry Making
Gardening
Entrepreneurship
Community Service
Use Genius Hour to share with students topics that they
don’t usually have the opportunity to learn about during
the traditional school day.

19. Student
Projects

20. Learning to
Play Piano

21. Building A Robotic Car

22. Learning About
Electric Circuits with littleBits

23. Learn About
Programming
with Dot and
Dash

24. Learning About Computer Programming

25. Learning About Pottery
Creating a Model
of a Volcano

26. Learning
How To Make Jewelry
Learning
How To Sew

27. Learning About
Stop Animation
Learning About
Engineering with
Goldiblocks

28. Why Should
You Do Genius
Hour?

29. Why Should You Do Genius Hour?
Students and Parents LOVE it!
You learn more about your students’ interests
Engaging and Fun
You get to see the creative side of students
Students control their own learning.
Students work with different groups because
they are group by interest.

30. Additional Resources
https://www.haikudeck.com/genius-hour-education-presentation-
A90vWXBBXn#
http://www.geniushour.com/
https://geniushour.wikispaces.com/
http://www.edutopia.org/blog/genius-hour-essentials-personalized-education-
nichole-carter