Saturday, August 31, 2013

Genius Hour-Introduced!



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!


Here's to next week!



44 comments:

  1. 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!

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  2. 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.

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    1. Please do! They really enjoyed The Kid President! Also, please share how yours went!

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  3. Hi Mrs. Menge!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  4. Mrs.Menge is the best teacher ever!!!!!!!

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    Replies
    1. sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee iiiisssssssss ssssooooooo ccccccooooolllllllll

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  5. i love your blog mrs menge

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  6. I love your blog, you should put Metallica on here!

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  7. Good blog very interesting I like how you made genious hour

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  8. She literally hasn't posted anything in 5 years

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  9. You are my favorite teacher. Just please dont assign any homework!

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  10. You are my favorite teacher. Just please don´t assign any homework! :D

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  11. Hi Mrs. Menge you are one of my favorite teachers your the best.

    Your student, Jacy

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  12. 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!!!

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  13. Hi mrs.menge you should do this with our class!

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  14. Mrs. Menge is the best teacher ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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  15. Creeper,

    Oh 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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    Replies
    1. bruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

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  16. I love all your positive coments and thaughts.

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  17. I love how confident you were in writing this and how you inspire the kids.

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  18. Your blog was amazing Mrs. Menge.

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