Genius Hour - Bundle of Units (Middle School)

This is a bundle of our 2 units that focus on bringing Genius Hour to your classroom:

1. Genius Hour Foundations

2. Genius Hour Part 2

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Genius Hour – Bundle of Lessons

The concept of personalized learning and passion driven education has been growing in many educational systems around the nation. The overall concept has been developed off of the Genius Hour model proposed by Google. Students are given the opportunity learn skills and topics they are personally interested in such as website development or learning how to play an instrument.

One of the issues with developing these types of programs is that the background knowledge and skill-set necessary to guide students to explore their passions are often not in place. Therefore, we have created a two part unit which teaches students the prerequisite skills, basic concepts and background understandings to engage in a Genius Hour program. We found providing our middle school students with a set time for Genius Hour was a struggle for them for a variety of reasons. Some struggled to identify a topic, to be productive or to stay on task. Our second time around we implemented these lessons prior to giving students independent time and it provided them with a better framework to pursue their interests.

This Genius Hour Bundle of Lessons helps lay the foundation and background knowledge to allow students and teachers to develop a Genius Hour Program at their schools. Students will learn about passion, careers, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

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This unit is designed as a starting point for Genius Hour. Before students can pursue their interests, provide them with an understanding about where passions are developed, how they can become innovators and possibly be paving the way for a career that doesn't even exist at this point.

These lessons to be taught as a unit, independently or between projects. It can be implemented for grades 4-8 with modifications if necessary.

Learning Standards:

The lessons provided cover a wide range of Common Core Standards but also focus on teaching students necessary skills to be 21 Century Learners such as:

• Communication

• Collaboration

• Critical Thinking

• Creativity

• Research and Exploration

Lesson Topics:

• Introduction: Purpose of Genius Hour

• STEM Challenge

• Failures lead to success

• What it means to be a 21st Century Learner

• What is imagination?

• How are items made?

• Teenagers who are changing the world

• Trendy careers

• Innovations

• Entrepreneurs

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Students will be exposed to various individuals who have demonstrated a passion in pursuit of a career, innovation or impact on the world. Students will watch a variety of video clips (youtube links are included), and work in cooperative structures to enhance their understanding of the concepts.

Examples of Activities and Lessons:

• TED Talks

• Career Videos

• Turn N’ Talks

• Roundtable

• Showdowns

• Argument Writing

• Gallery Walks

• Glow and Grows

• Class Discussions

• Personal Reflections and Journal Writing

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Genius Hour Resources and Lessons Part 2

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Genius Hour is a great opportunity to provide students with a set time in a safe classroom environment to pursue their passions or interests. 21st Century Skills are addressed during Genius Hour and these materials help with creativity, communication, collaboration, critical thinking, citizenship, and character.

This product is an extension to our first unit titled, Genius Hour and can be found here:

Genius Hour Lessons and Resources - Part 1

Genius Hour should meet the needs of individual students, which is why we have made all forms completely editable, which allows you the opportunity to modify these documents based on your students' needs.

Items Included:

• Genius Hour Log (students keep track of their daily accomplishments and goals for the next time)

• Genius Hour Parent Letter

• Project Ideas List

• Project idea Survey

• Lesson #1-Who are you? Short survey and read aloud

• Lesson #2-Pet Peeves (Brainstorm about pet peeves & research)

• Lesson #3-Current Events Jigsaw & research)

• Lesson #4-So Disturbing (Items students find disturbing and class discussion)

I have implemented Genius Hour in my classroom and have found success when I have started out with whole class activities and then let students branch off once they have found their passion topic.

Any feedback or comments are welcomed.

Thanks,

Lessons for Middle School