Genius Hour: Passion Projects That Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry - Softcover

McNair, Andi

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1618216341 ISBN 13: 9781618216342

Publisher: Routledge, 2017

Synopsis

Genius Hour provides educators with the tools that they need to successfully implement genius hour, or passion projects, in the classroom. Presented through an easy-to-follow six-step strategy, teachers will utilize the six P's-passion, pitch, plan, project, product, and presentation-as a map for students to follow as they create, design, and carry out projects. Students will experience personalized learning through these self-driven projects, application of standards and real-world skills, and opportunities to learn through failure and reflection. The book includes handouts, suggested online resources, and tips and tricks to make the genius hour process meaningful for students and manageable for educators, as well as a discussion of genius hour's importance and impact on gifted students as they take ownership of their own learning.

About this title

About the Author

Andi McNair was a classroom teacher for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower this generation of learners. She is a digital innovation specialist at ESC Region 12 in Texas, as well as a keynote speaker, author, blogger, and consultant.

From School Library Journal

"Genius Hour" is an educational trend that focuses on the individual learner and allots regular class time for students to pursue a personal passion. The idea is based on the assumption that young people learn collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity when allowed to explore their interests. McNair lays out the six phases of Genius Hour in detail, with chapters devoted to "Passion," "Plan," "Pitch," "Project," "Product," and "Presentation." She also addresses troubleshooting and assessment. Each chapter ends with reflection questions and a list of technological resources that were discussed in the prior pages. Sample planning documents for students and teachers are included, too. In addition to offering a typical annotated bibliography, the book provides Genius Hour—related Twitter handles and hashtags. One drawback of the text is that McNair appears to have implemented this concept primarily with gifted students, so educators working with a wider variety of learning levels and styles may need to look elsewhere. Though the volume mentions standards, it doesn't get specific about them. VERDICT Best for educators whose school administrators are already on board with Genius Hour, but anyone interested in the concept will find useful material within.—Deidre Winterhalter, Oak Park Public Library, IL

Edition details

• Publisher: Routledge
• Publication date: 2017
• ISBN 10: 1618216341
• ISBN 13: 9781618216342
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 160