In case you haven't heard about Genius Hour, it's a time set aside where learners pursue their own topics and interests. (Chris Kesler and Joy Kirr provide great resources for anyone interested in learning more.)
Our students participate in Genius Hour once a week. During this time, students come into the library throughout the hour to meet their learning needs. (They come in groups or individually, and each will need something a little bit different.)
Some will need resources: Example: "Where are the books about origami?"
Some will need help with tech tools. Example: "How do I make a QR Code?"
Some just want to sit and read, while others need the space to make something. Groups also come in to meet and make decisions about their projects.
Whatever the needs, I must be ready to manage different requests simultaneously. When learners are using the online card catalog, I give mini-lessons to help them navigate. When they get stuck in research, I serve as a sounding board and help them formulate questions. When they are reading and don't quite understand a paragraph, I'm a reading teacher scaffolding with a quick one-on-one conference. (Something I'm very comfortable doing!)
And other times, I'm the subject of an interview (I've been interviewed several times by learners) or training a young apprentice who wants to be a librarian. (This happened yesterday!) I've also been a consultant on everything from best presentation tools to color choices for designs.
Though this hour is busy and unpredictable, it's also exciting. I'm getting to know our students by learning about their interests, and it allows me to see their learning needs, too. The best part is that the library serves to its potential all at once to all grade levels.
Genius Hour gives me the opportunity to see our students doing what they love! Also, it shows our students that the library can help them in ways they might not have imagined.
I'm still learning about #GeniusHour and its possibilities, but that's what makes it so wonderful!
Are you implementing #GeniusHour at your school?
I'm still learning about #GeniusHour and its possibilities, but that's what makes it so wonderful!
Are you implementing #GeniusHour at your school?
Love this idea.... Now something else to ponder!! Thanks for the well thought out explanation!
ReplyDeleteOn the average, how many students do you have in the library during genius hour? Do you have an assistant or aide who helps you?
ReplyDeleteSounds intriguing. On average, how many students come to the library during genius hour? Do you have an aide or another teacher who assists you when the students visit?
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment and for reading my post.
DeleteNo, I do not have an aide. However, on most Fridays, I have a volunteer that helps with checkout while I am assisting learners with technical, academic or other questions. I feel fortunate to have the help!
Great question about the numbers of students! Unofficially, I would have to say that throughout the entire hour, approximately 100 or so students come into the library to use technology, read, research, collaborate, or work on projects. Some may be there the entire time, while others come and go.
Thank you again for reading!
Has anybody tried Genius Hour with high schoolers? I would love to do it, but need ideas!
ReplyDeleteHello! You can check Joy Kirr's Livebinder for help! Look for the tab "Grade Level Stories" then click on "High School". Here is the link:
Deletehttp://www.livebinders.com/play/play?id=829279