It's here! Genius Hour has been introduced and I can't even begin to describe how excited my students are!
To hook my students, I had to show The Kid President:
The Kid President had them. They laughed! They understood when he said, "We were made to be awesome." We were! Now it is time to "Create something that will make the world awesome."
"Create something that will make the world awesome."
After the talk that got my kids talking....I asked them, has there ever been a time in school when YOU got to learn about something you truly wanted? When you chose what to learn?
The room erupted into chatter, laughter, and a resounding "NO!" by all students.Then came my moment to say, "Well guys, that is exactly what is going to happen."
I have three classes (we have a block English schedule) and for a moment the room stood silent.
They didn't believe me...at first. I then went and described the Passion Project. Each student would have Genius Hour to research their passion. That even I would join them on this journey. We were going to discover our genius because as the wonderful and inspirational Angela Maiers says:
They were floored! Excited! Ideas began pouring forth! Discussion, empowerment, pure excitement....about learning! Here is a screen shot of our Wonder Wall on Padlet with just a sample of ideas for projects: Our journey begins next week! Our first hour of Genius Hour. I can't wait and more importantly, neither can my students!
I have always known the importance and power of student choice in the classroom. But to give students the ultimate choice of directing their learning?! Even more powerful, important, and inspiring of all!
Gotta love the chirping crickets! Sadly, it happens. They don't know what they want to learn - unless you keep this up. Then they'll figure it out! Enjoy your time - I'm excited for you and your students!
Goosebumps over here reading how successful your launch was! I'm going to introduce Genius Hour with my Grade 3's this week. I hope you don't mind but I'm going to share the Kid President Video with my group.
So we back in the mine, Got our pickaxe swinging from, Side to side, Side side to side,
This task's a grueling one, Hope to find some diamonds to- Night night night, Diamonds to-night,
Heads up, You hear a sound, turn around and look up, Total shock fills your body, Oh no it's you again, I could never forget those, Eyes eyes eyes, Eyes eyes eyes eyes,
(CHORUS) 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again, 'Cause baby tonight, You grab your pick, shovel And bolt again, bolt again -gain, And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn', 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all Our stuff again, stuff again -gain,
Just when you think you're safe, Overhear some hissing from, Right be-hind, Right right be-hind,
That's a nice life you have, Shame it's got to end at this, Time time time, Time time time time,
Blows up, And your health bar drops and you could use a one-up, Get inside, don't be tardy, So now you're stuck in there, Half a heart is left but don't, Die die die, Die die die die,
(CHORUS) 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again, 'Cause baby tonight, You grab your pick, shovel And bolt again, bolt again -gain. And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn, 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all Our stuff again, (Creepers, you're mine) (Haha)
(RAP) Dig up diamonds, Craft those diamonds, Make some armor, Get it baby, Gonna forge it Like your so MLG pro, The sword's made of diamond So come at me, bro, (Huh) Trainin' in your room Under the torchlight Hone that form To get you ready for the big fight, Every single day, And the whole night, Creepers' out prowlin' (whew) all right, Look at me, look at you Take my revenge, That's what I'm gonna do I'm a, warrior baby, What else is new? And my blade's gonna tear through you,
(Chorus) (Bring it) 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again, (Gather your stuff, yeah, let's take back the world) Yeah baby tonight, (Haha) Have your sword, armor and go (It's on) Take your revenge!
So fight, fight, Like it's the last, last night of your life, life Show them your fight,
(CHORUS) 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again, 'Cause baby tonight, You grab your pick, shovel And bolt again, bolt again -gain. And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn, 'Cause baby tonight, The creeper's tried to steal all our stuff again.
The Kid President had them. They laughed! They understood when he said, "We were made to be awesome." We were! Now it is time to "Create something that will make the world awesome."
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They didn't believe me...at first. I then went and described the Passion Project. Each student would have Genius Hour to research their passion. That even I would join them on this journey. We were going to discover our genius because as the wonderful and inspirational Angela Maiers says:
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Gotta love the chirping crickets! Sadly, it happens. They don't know what they want to learn - unless you keep this up. Then they'll figure it out! Enjoy your time - I'm excited for you and your students!
ReplyDeleteWe are too!
DeleteGoosebumps over here reading how successful your launch was! I'm going to introduce Genius Hour with my Grade 3's this week. I hope you don't mind but I'm going to share the Kid President Video with my group.
ReplyDeletePlease do! They really enjoyed The Kid President! Also, please share how yours went!
DeleteHi Mrs. Menge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletewowsers
DeleteMrs.Menge is the best teacher ever!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletesheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee iiiisssssssss ssssooooooo ccccccooooolllllllll
Deleteyeah
Deletegreat Scott it nice
ReplyDeleteH
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i love your blog mrs menge
ReplyDeleteI love your blog, you should put Metallica on here!
ReplyDeletefax
DeleteGood blog very interesting I like how you made genious hour
ReplyDeleteShe literally hasn't posted anything in 5 years
ReplyDeleteYou are my favorite teacher. Just please dont assign any homework!
ReplyDeleteAAAAHH
ReplyDeleteYou are my favorite teacher. Just please don´t assign any homework! :D
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs. Menge you are one of my favorite teachers your the best.
ReplyDeleteYour student, Jacy
I'm posting a comment because I felt like it and I think that he students were supposed to do it anyway, so: Hi Mrs. Menge!!!
ReplyDeleteThat is Wyatt
DeleteOh no, iv'e been caught!
ReplyDeleteHI
ReplyDeleteHi mrs.menge you should do this with our class!
ReplyDeletesup bro
DeleteMrs. Menge is the best teacher ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeletehi!
ReplyDeleteCreeper,
ReplyDeleteOh man,
So we back in the mine,
Got our pickaxe swinging from,
Side to side,
Side side to side,
This task's a grueling one,
Hope to find some diamonds to-
Night night night,
Diamonds to-night,
Heads up,
You hear a sound, turn around and look up,
Total shock fills your body,
Oh no it's you again,
I could never forget those,
Eyes eyes eyes,
Eyes eyes eyes eyes,
(CHORUS)
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again,
'Cause baby tonight,
You grab your pick, shovel
And bolt again, bolt again -gain,
And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn',
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all
Our stuff again, stuff again -gain,
Just when you think you're safe,
Overhear some hissing from,
Right be-hind,
Right right be-hind,
That's a nice life you have,
Shame it's got to end at this,
Time time time,
Time time time time,
Blows up,
And your health bar drops and you could use a one-up,
Get inside, don't be tardy,
So now you're stuck in there,
Half a heart is left but don't,
Die die die,
Die die die die,
(CHORUS)
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again,
'Cause baby tonight,
You grab your pick, shovel
And bolt again, bolt again -gain.
And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn,
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all
Our stuff again,
(Creepers, you're mine)
(Haha)
(RAP)
Dig up diamonds,
Craft those diamonds,
Make some armor,
Get it baby,
Gonna forge it
Like your so MLG pro,
The sword's made of diamond
So come at me, bro,
(Huh)
Trainin' in your room
Under the torchlight
Hone that form
To get you ready for the big fight,
Every single day,
And the whole night,
Creepers' out prowlin' (whew) all right,
Look at me, look at you
Take my revenge,
That's what I'm gonna do
I'm a, warrior baby,
What else is new?
And my blade's gonna tear through you,
(Chorus)
(Bring it) 'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again,
(Gather your stuff, yeah, let's take back the world)
Yeah baby tonight,
(Haha)
Have your sword, armor and go
(It's on)
Take your revenge!
So fight, fight,
Like it's the last, last
night of your life, life
Show them your fight,
(CHORUS)
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tryin' to steal all our stuff again,
'Cause baby tonight,
You grab your pick, shovel
And bolt again, bolt again -gain.
And run, run, until it's done, done, until the sun comes up in the morn,
'Cause baby tonight,
The creeper's tried to steal all our stuff again.
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DeleteHi mrs. menge i love your page.
ReplyDeleteHi mrs. Menge
ReplyDeleteYou are awesome Mrs.Menge!!!!
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ReplyDeleteI love all your positive coments and thaughts.
ReplyDeleteI love how confident you were in writing this and how you inspire the kids.
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