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What is Genius Hour?

6/6/2012

47 Comments

 
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I have a lot of people ask me (well, usually tweet me) this very question.  And I realized that I talk about it, blog about it, and tweet about it all the time, but I have not actually put out a definition anywhere.  So here it goes...

Genius Hour is a precious time, loved by all my students.  It is when they are allowed to develop their own inquiry question about whatever it is that they want to explore.  They are then given about 3 one hour Genius Hour sessions and then they are usually ready to present their learning to the class.

Genius Hour is an amazing time.  All the kids are excited and this creates a buzz in the air!  Some students are huddled around a laptop doing research on countries they are interested in, others are creating websites, PowerPoints and slideshows on an area of interest, and some are out in the hallway filming movies.  Some aren't using technology at all, but rather are building and creating things with their hands. But no matter what they are working on, the common thread is that it is something they are interested in and/or passionate about.

I did not invent #geniushour.  I wish I had...but I didn't. I want to give credit for the idea of Genius Hour to the right people, but it is hard to tell who actually thought of it first.  I heard about it from twitter.  A colleague of mine, @HughTheTeacher retweeted @MrsDKrebs tweet with a link to her blog post on the idea of Genius Hour.  In it, she gives credit to Dan Pink, author of Drive and to Passion Based Learning expert, @AngelaMaiers.  Dan Pink gives credit to a credit union in Washington.  And that is as far back as I can track the term "Genius Hour" but of course, the idea that people should be able to learn about what they are passionate about and be given time to become geniuses has been around for a bit.  And I won't be able to track the origins of that.  So, let's just agree that I did not invent it but I sure do love it! 

In Pink’s aforementioned blog, he defines Genius Hour in the following way, “Each week, employees [students, in our case] can take a Genius Hour — 60 minutes to work on new ideas or master new skills.” He continues to describe it in one work place,  “They’ve used that precious sliver of autonomy well, coming up with a range of innovations including training tools for other branches”(Pink 2011).  My students were just as successful.  They loved Genius Hour and used their time wisely to learn about topics that they were passionate about (some examples are cooking, countries, Free the Children, iMovie, website design, etc.)

Denise Krebs came up with the idea of using a hashtag (#geniushour) and I, later, came up with the idea of a monthly chat and a wikispace (to read more about that click here).  So, as you can see this has really been a collaborative project between many of us (we are spread out across North America and yet still able to share our ideas because of twitter).

Right when I heard about Genius Hour, I knew it was something that I had to do with my class.  I always get excited about giving students authentic tasks that have meaning.  So Genius Hour spoke to me.  I started talking with the students about this idea and they were immediately excited and eager to start.

To those that are nervous about starting something new:  Don’t let my excitement mislead you…things did not go perfectly, but that is okay.  I have learned so much this year.  The students’ genius hour really became my own genius hour too.  We learned together, figuring out so much as we went along, and even so I would do much more modeling (of how to chose an inquiry question and share it) in future years, it was not necessarily a bad experience for all of us to have to stop, regroup, take a few steps back and continue. It showed them that I am a learner too.

Need another reason to dive in?  The BC Ed Plan encourages students to have the opportunity to “discover, embrace and fulfill their passion” (British Columbia Ministry of Education 2011).  Passion is so important!  In a typical elementary school classroom, students have to learn what we tell them when we tell them.  There is little choice in curriculum and so Genius Hour gives them a time to escape these confines and learn about what they want to learn about.  And that is when genius happens.

In summary, because of Genius Hour I am a changed teacher forever.  I no longer need to be in control of all of the learning.  I have learned that it is okay, and actually highly beneficial, to step back and allow the learning to happen.  I have also learned that inquiry projects are not only valuable to teacher-learners (which is the only way I had thought of them before) but that the students can also benefit from creating interesting inquiry projects themselves. 


For more information, check out our #geniushour wiki and follow the hashtag on twitter!


47 Comments
Lora Sarchet link
6/6/2012 11:45:22 pm

Thanks for this! Have wondered about this at various times. I love it! Sounds similar to our "I Wonder..." challenges in grade 1 where students investigate answers to their own inquiry. Though these are usually all related to a particular topic in my class. My grade 1's are so excited about the ownership in their learning. Thanks for elaborating.

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Gallit Zvi link
6/16/2012 09:41:56 am

Thank you for your comment! It is great to hear from a grade one teacher! Inquiry works at any grade level, right? :)

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Renee James
7/13/2014 02:50:06 am

I am going to try this in my first grade room this coming year ! 😊

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Joy Kirr link
6/7/2012 06:17:17 am

Gallit,
This is such a comprehensive blog that says just what I was imaginating your Genius Hour to be! My favorite part of it is the change from "sage on the stage" to "guide on the side." I love being able to have my one-on-one conferences with my students. I keep these notes on a GoogleDoc so visitors can conference with the students, too. I'm so lucky to have found you, Denise, Hugh, and Ewan to help me get my ideas rolling! Thanks again!

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Gallit Zvi link
6/16/2012 09:45:54 am

Oh Joy! The feeling is mutual...I love that I have met all of you #geniushour teachers as well...you all inspire me in so many ways!
And I totally agree about the importance of being a "guide on the side". I must admit that during my first #geniushour, I found this to be a bit scary, but only for a short time--now it is totally normal!

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Denise Krebs link
6/7/2012 06:49:00 am

Gallit,
You are inspiring me and so many others! Thanks for sharing your passion with the world.

I read a quote today in the Genius Hour book I'm reading, Nonfiction Matters by Stephanie Harvey: "Teachers who lead kids in the direction of their passion will not regret it." I know you can relate to that, as I can. It's amazing how transformative it is to have a student-centered classroom where students are really learning what they are passionate about. I love it! Thanks for spelling it out so succinctly.

Sincerely,
Denise

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Gallit Zvi link
6/16/2012 09:51:34 am

Denise,

Thank you for commenting! I'm not sure if you realize how inspirational you are yourself! I always tell new tweeps to follow you on twitter because you are such a wonderful teacher (and sharer, collaborator, etc).

So, should I be reading this book too? I am still on Drive, but can add it to my list if you think it is good! Let me know.

Gallit

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Denise Krebs link
6/16/2012 10:11:35 am

Yes, Gallit, I would recommend Nonfiction Matters by Stephanie Harvey. It was written in 1998, so some of the resources are dated, but the work on inquiry is totally genius hour. There are also many great focus lessons to teach nonfiction writing and reading. It was very valuable for me. She also has a newer book on my to-read list called Comprehension and Collaboration: Inquiry Circles in Action.

Summers are too short with all the reading I want to do!

Thanks again for being head #geniushour cheerleader!

Denise

Tia link
6/8/2012 02:01:51 pm

Gallit,

Great blog post describing Genius Hour! It really is such an incredible learning opportunity for students. I've done Genius Hour with the 4 classes I provide prep for - at end end of each term. The kids have loved this time and look forward to it all term. I love all the different projects they come up with. Right now, I have students creating wikis on a topic, students are working together to create a basketball backboard and net, students are working together to build a sugar cube castle, etc... The ideas are endless and all fabulous! The kids are excited, motivated and working hard!

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Gallit Zvi link
6/16/2012 09:53:25 am

Hi Tia,

I love that you ended your comment with, "The kids are excited, motivated and working hard!" Perfect! That is what it is all about!
I love it :)

Gallit

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Christy Troost
2/17/2014 05:14:44 am

I completely agree that the students have to be excited and motivated in order to be successful. We need to target our instruction to meet their needs and to give them things that they are excited about learning. I'm anxious to start a form of Genius Hour in my classroom.

K. Lirenman link
6/8/2012 05:13:42 pm

This is a well written post Gallit which clearly explains the principles behind Genius Hour. One of my goals for next year is to allow my young students to guide where their learning will take them through passion based learning. As you know genius hour has always intrigued me, I just need to tweak it to work for my grade one students. Don't worry, I'll keep you posted of course. Next year is going to be a very exciting year for so many reasons. I can't wait to read what you're up to too! K

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Gallit Zvi link
6/16/2012 09:55:52 am

Karen,

I look forward to hearing about it on twitter! Given your track record, I am sure you will come up with a fabulous adaptation! I am excited about next year too, can't wait :)

Thanks for always sharing your ideas,

Gallit

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Carmela Ianni link
7/21/2012 12:53:34 am

Gallit,

We have embedded Genius Hour periods right into our timetable for the upcoming 2012/13 school year. This is the first time we've done this and the idea came about after I read this post. I'm so excited to see what the students discover!! I will definitely be writing blog posts about the experience!

Carmela

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Gallit Zvi link
7/21/2012 01:35:13 pm

Carmela,

This is so fantastic! I am thrilled to hear it and I look forward to reading your blog entries about the journey!

Have a wonderful summer,
Gallit

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Louisa Guest link
7/21/2012 10:00:22 pm

LOVE IT! I've always called it "personal project" time but Genius hour just lifts the expectations - another phrase of yours to steal :)

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Tammy Hartmann
10/8/2012 03:08:14 pm

I am also intrigued by the notion of 'genius hour'. I first read about it in a book entitled, "Education for Human Greatness", by Lynn Stoddard. If you haven't read it, I would recommend it. It's a great read. He challenges educators to think about what is truly important in education. The focus is more on 'learning' as opposed to 'teaching'. When I taught grades 4/5/6 in at Tynehead Montessori (1997 - 2002), my students did a research project every September that I called, "H.I.T.s"--Hobbies, Interests, Talents. This project was the MOST engaging one students explored each year. When I moved up to teach grade 7, I assumed that after having 'done' the same type of project each September for three years, I decided to change things up since I would be teaching a group of students for the 4th year. When I announced we would no longer be doing the H.I.T.s project in September, my students revolted! Many told me they had worked on it all summer long and that I simply could NOT change things! I think what I was doing was as close to Genius Hour as I could come to it then. I know students loved it because they were exploring topics of interest to them and that they were passionate about. They demonstrated their learning in a variety of ways. When they wanted to make a movie, even though I didn't know how, they taught themselves and even got help from a parent who worked in the film industry. Their work was amazing. I do believe it is possible to have studentsat all grade levels particpate in 'Genius Hour'--even in Kindergarten! I look forward to reading and learning more as my staff at Ocean Cliff embark on a Innovate Learning Design project in which they want to explore Genius Hour from grades 1 - 7 this year. :)

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Gallit Zvi
10/8/2012 03:26:25 pm

Thank you for your comment, Tammy!

I totally agree that Genius Hour can be a part of any classroom K-7 and even in secondary (we have primary, intermediate and high school teachers participating in our monthly twitter chat)!

Love that your school is going to try and explore it across the board! That is so fantastic! I would love to come and see it in action once you have it rolling! Some of your staff visited my class last year, right?

Are you on twitter? Our next #geniushour chat is on Wed Nov 7th at 6 pm...maybe you and some of your staff can join us?

:) Gallit

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Ruchira Kochar
3/31/2013 08:18:11 pm

I came across the Genius Hour wiki and was most instantly intrigued by all the info there.Thanks for all your work towards documenting all you do/ think/ plan/ process:) It definitely helps newbies like me! In fact, I have been exploring the idea of doing 'something' similar (which would be different than what has been done in the past!) with my lil' kindergarteners. I have also done a lot of reading about Google's strategy where every employee spends 20% of their work time to do something that they are passionate about. I plan to start with this 20% Passion time / Genius Hour (45 min) with my KG group tomorrow. Its going to be the first baby step and besides a planned start date I have no plans for the lesson. I plan to go with the flow.... Will have some ipads/ Legos/ crayons/ play dough/... on hand. I'd love any input as I embark on this...

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Lisa
3/4/2013 04:19:15 am

I am eager to start Genius Hour...In fact, I'm thinking of starting it in two days. Thee are aspects I "get," and aspects that I still have so many questions about. The most pressing question now is: How do students bake, play with sugar cubes, take apart a computer, etc. at school? I'm assuming that the Inquiry Question, and the research takes place at school. Does the rest take place at home? If they want to build their project or design a blog etc. and that is something that won't work at school, does Genius Hour really become a part of school time?

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Gallit Zvi link
3/5/2013 02:30:56 am

Hi Lisa,

Most projects take place at school! Though, some students do parts at home (like baking) and record it and work on documenting the process in a movie (or something) at school.

We have also had EAs/Support Staff help kids with baking in the staffroom. So depending on, that may also work.

All my students always have some part (if not all) that they can do at school.

Hope that helps...

There are so many great #GeniusHour teachers on the # on twitter...check them out too!!

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Kerry
3/10/2013 07:51:34 am

I loved your blog, Gallit! I've been hooked on the idea since Hugh told me about it last year. My class and I are ready to start (after Spring Break) - they are so excited. One question I have is, how do you evaluate their Genius Hour projects? Is there a specific rubric you use?

Thanks :)

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Gallit Zvi link
3/10/2013 08:51:01 am

Thank you Kerry!
I am so excited that you are starting this Spring! Awesome!
We use a creativity rubric for students to self-assess with (can be found on the wiki here http://geniushour.wikispaces.com/Resources) and then they also write reflective blogs afterwards. We try to focus on self-assessment more than me telling them how they did...though I do give informal feedback as they work.

Hope that helps :)
Check out the rubric! @MrsDKrebs made it...I think it is great!

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Kerry
3/10/2013 01:45:03 pm

Thanks so much, Gallit! I will let you know how it goes :)

Ms. M link
4/6/2013 02:18:35 am

Gallit,
I teach gifted in Toronto. I am so intrigued by this idea of Genius Hour and would like to know more. Did you have the students come up with the inquiry questions? How did you actually get started? Do all students use technology (I have mac laptops in my room and our school is getting a set of ipads). Also, seeing that you are Canadian and obviously fabulous..I would like to invite you to join my Blog By Province Link UP at http://teachingisagift.blogspot.ca/p/blog-by-province.html. Your exciting ideas would inspire many more teachers I am sure...please consider linking up!
Sidney
<b><a href="http://teachingisagift.blogspot.ca">Teachingisagift</a></b>

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Gallit Zvi link
4/13/2013 08:46:25 am

Hi Sidney,

Thanks for the invite...I checked out your site and linked mine, and then yours from mine!

So, all of my students form their own Genius Hour questions...they think about either a wonder or a passion and the come up with the question from there. Hope that helps :)

FYI...we have a #geniushour chat on twitter on the first WED of each month at 9 pm EST/6 PST. Hope you will join us one day!

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Neil Finney link
6/2/2013 09:06:01 pm

This is a great blog post that spins off into many important and inspiring conversations about teacher passion for learning and how to embed that into the student experience.

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Amarjit kaur
11/27/2013 07:21:49 am

Students loved the time when they come up with their own different projects, They are really learning what they are passionate about.I think Genius hour is an amazing time.

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Shelli phillips
2/21/2014 08:49:29 am

I agree! I love the fact that I can read these blogs and get wonderful ideas but yet get to read the responses and get more info and ideas.

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Mane Sridykhan link
11/17/2013 07:17:40 pm

Your website is so awesome and i got great knowledge thanks to provide this great content keep posting.

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Sheri Boule
11/18/2013 02:20:39 am

How awesome that you are not threatened as an educator of giving up control of the structured learning environment. There is a need for structured learning but in this day and age there is a huge need to allow children to think without limitations and restrictions.

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Gallit Zvi
2/19/2014 11:52:50 am

It's all about balance, right?

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Heidi Giddan
11/29/2013 10:29:34 am

When student feel excited learning just seems to fall into place.Your website was very inspirational.

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Gallit Zvi
2/19/2014 11:53:38 am

Thanks for reading & commenting, Heidi!

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Ruby Derrough
1/10/2014 01:53:59 pm

Every opportunity that allows students to think for themselves and choose what they think and learn about is a chance to discover and create. Students are filled with infinite creative, original ideas and the genius hour is a great way to tap into them.

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Gallit Zvi link
2/19/2014 11:54:35 am

Great words--discover and create! Yes!

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Marci Littleton
2/15/2014 07:01:45 am

Love this concept! Wished they had this idea when I was in school.

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Gallit Zvi link
2/19/2014 11:55:06 am

Agree!

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Carmen Kaiser
3/9/2014 09:42:43 am

Love this idea!

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Fran Vasily
3/12/2014 11:38:57 am

I am totally commiteed to the concept of "Genius Hour". I feel enpowered to find the key components that inspire my students.

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Ellen
3/16/2014 12:03:59 pm

Curious, I mentioned the term genius hour and personalized learning to my principal and he said, " oh they tried that in BC a couple years ago and they had to quit. It didn't work." any idea how he would get this perception?

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Gallit Zvi link
3/17/2014 10:19:03 am

Hi Ellen,

I am not sure about which school/district he is referring to...I am in Surrey, BC and we have been doing Genius Hour in lots of schools here for a few years now! I have had a lot of success with my students and I know many teachers around the province are having a wonderful time with Genius Hour (or a variation of it) in their classrooms too! In fact, it fits in nicely with the new BC ed plan too.

I haven't heard of anyone who had to quit...

Feel free to email me if you have any other questions:
gallitzvi at gmail.com

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José link
3/17/2014 03:10:53 am

Hello. I am a Physics teacher located in Honduras. I had heard about Genios Hour before. I think I feel more inspired to work on this with my students. Will be joining the chat on April 3rd to get in touch with the geniuses behind this. See you then. :)

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V. Sue Monroe
3/23/2014 06:49:41 am

Genius Hour can remind students that their "passions" do count. This concept is golden - grown ups like this time ... so it is clearly understood how our youth would find it amazing. I can imagine that the freedom of 60 minutes would need to have the teacher monitoring until the students got the concept of this "golden moment". Having a passion for something is maybe even the first step. Some students need to explore before even coming up with their true passion. The internet can be that added tool to bring it closer - than how far their imaginations could take them.

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Theresa Trevino
1/23/2016 01:26:35 pm

Thank you for posting this - it's very helpful and I look forward to trying this with my 2nd grade class!

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tsiona
11/30/2016 06:35:16 am

hey gallit, by your name i belive that you might speak hebrew. if so us it possible that we comunicate in hebrew i'd like to ask some question. please tell me if it's o.k
tsiona

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Gallit Zvi
12/9/2016 03:27:55 pm

Hi Tsiona,

I do not speak Hebrew fluently but I understand a little. You can email me at gallitzvi @ gmail . com and I can try my best :)

Take care,
Gallit

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    My name is Gallit Zvi and I am an Elementary School Teacher and Vice Principal in Surrey, BC. I am also a blogger and co-author of The Genius Hour Guidebook.
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