The document provides an overview of the Genius Hour approach to learning. It explains that Genius Hour is student-centered and focuses on student voice, choice, and passion projects. Students choose a topic they are interested in, research it, create an artifact showing their learning, and present their work. The teacher acts as a facilitator, guiding students to resources and asking questions. The document also compares Genius Hour to project-based learning and 20% time models, and provides examples and resources for implementing Genius Hour.

1. The Genius Hour
A New Approach to Learning for Fort Wayne

2. What is
the
Genius
Hour?

3. Common
Definition
What the Genius Hour is…
- Student Centered
- Bolsters Creativity
- Relies on Student Voice and
Choice
- Individualized
- Engaging
- Passion Projects
- A focus on Output to prove
learning
- Based on Questioning / Inquiry
The Genius Hour is an approach to
learning where students are
guided by their own interests,
background knowledge, and
curiosity to learn.
Taken from TeachThought

4. Tell me more…
First, your students choose a topic
that they are interested in learning
about.
Second, they turn that interest into
a question to answer.
Third, they research the question.
Fourth, they create an artifact to
show their learning.
Finally, they present their learning!
What is my role as the classroom
educator?
You are the facilitator of learning!
You guide students to resources
and help.
Help synthesize their ideas.
Most importantly, you ask
questions!

5. How is the Genius Hour Different?
Project Based Learning (PBL)
Students work on a project over an extended
period of time – from a week up to a semester –
that engages them in solving a real-world
problem or answering a complex question.
They demonstrate their knowledge and skills by
creating a public product or presentation for a
real audience.
Generally, students are given the problem to
solve by the instructor. Students have a defined
output
20% Time
It's that you, or a team, or a company--anyone,
really--should divide your time working, so that
at least 20 percent is spent exploring or working
on projects that show no promise of paying
immediate dividends but that might reveal big
opportunities down the road.
Genius Hour has more structure in terms of
timing and need to have an artifact to prove
their learning.
Taken from PBL Works Taken from Inc.com

6. So… How does it
work?

7. How do I prepare
my learners?
And… is it hard?
Learners need to know
how to ask questions.
They need to visualize
solutions.
They need to ignite their
passions.

8. The importance of Inquiry and Questioning as well
as creativity!
We need to teach:
- Open versus Closed Questions
- Thick versus Thin Questions
- Where can I find answers?
- What good research looks like?
We need to encourage:
- Passion
- Creativity
- Collaboration
- Dreaming

9. Organizing It
Thinking Maps
- Show your thoughts
- Show and Grow your vision
- What do I really like or enjoy?
- What can I bring to life?
We need to think through our
passion project

10. What’s our Endgame?

11. Create
Make something, show something,
or teach something
Physical Creations
- Artwork/Sketches/Visuals
Written Creations
- Essays/Poems/Songs/Stories
Presented Creations
- Videos/ Drama/ PowerPoint/
TEDtalk

12. The why…

13. What are our
goals?
Why do this?
Timelines
4th/5th/6th Grade Quarterly
2nd/3rd Semesterly
Soft Skills to Learn
- Questioning
- Presenting
- Researching

14. Give me an example…

15. Start with a
question.
What does a city need to run?
The My City Project
A Real Life SimCity
What do citizens need?
What do citizens want?
How do citizens get around?

16. Creation - Connection to Geometry

17. Where does this
fit?

18. Ideas for when
to fit this in
Remember, you can personalize
and talk to your QIT Team
ELA Block - Use as a Station
(Meets Research and Reading Standards)
Math Block - A Station
(Integration with Math Standards)
Content Areas
Related Arts

19. Questions?

20. Helpful Links
5th/6th Grade Blueprint
4th Grade Blueprint
2nd/3rd Grade Blueprint
Sample Timeline
Genius Hour FAQ
FWEA Genius Hour Wiki - Resource Guide
Facilitator Notes/Guide

21. References
A.J. Juliani. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.ajjuliani.com/
Guide, G. H., & Krebs, D. (2015, October 27). The genius hour guidebook - a resource site. The Genius Hour Guidebook - A Resource Site.
Retrieved February 16, 2023, from https://www.geniushourguide.org/
Ideas for genius hour. – Mrs. Amy Fine – Goshen Middle School. (n.d.). Retrieved February 16, 2023, from
https://gms.goshenlocalschools.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=462238&type=u&pREC_ID=1113359
JULIANI, A. J. (2015). Inquiry and innovation in the classroom: Using 20% time, genius hour, and Pbl to drive student succ. ROUTLEDGE.
Murphy, B. (2020, November 21). Google says it still uses the '20-percent rule,' and you should totally ... Inc.com. Retrieved February 17, 2023,
from https://www.inc.com/bill-murphy-jr/google-says-it-still-uses-20-percent-rule-you-should-totally-copy-it.html
Staff, T. T. (2023, February 10). What is genius hour? an overview for the classroom. TeachThought. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from
https://www.teachthought.com/learning/what-is-genius-
hour/#:~:text=Genius%20Hour%20is%20an%20approach,less%20standardized%20than%20traditional%20learning.
Staff, T. T. (2023, February 10). What is genius hour? an overview for the classroom. TeachThought. Retrieved February 16, 2023, from
https://www.teachthought.com/learning/what-is-genius-
hour/#:~:text=Genius%20Hour%20is%20an%20approach,less%20standardized%20than%20traditional%20learning.