With the resounding success of our Genius Hour, a problem has arisen. In my year planning, I had space for Genius Hour for one month in March. Read below if you are interested in how we did it. Now it is spring break and a natural time for transition. Sadly, this means a transition away from Genius Hour and into our new science unit (objects and materials). Our limiting factor of time is always present.
In grade 1, we have a curriculum that is very conducive to thematic learning so that is how I plan a lot of our learning. I am looking at my year plan for the last three months (my last three themes are all based on student-inquiry ideas) and trying to find the time for Genius Hour to continue while still finishing our curriculum. With my original plan, it doesn't really fit. I need to adapt based on what my students need.
The kids have made it very clear that Genius Hour is a time they value and they've shown that they can handle the structure of it in learning. So here is my plan: we will put Genius Hour on the back burner for a while. I am leaving the wonderwall up to collect new inquiry ideas and then I will bring back Genius Hour when I see we have the time. I am committing here in writing that Genius Hour will be back by June at the latest! Thanks for everyone's feedback and support in our foray into Genius Hour. Staff, classmates, and parents alike, we couldn't have done it this well without you.
In grade 1, we have a curriculum that is very conducive to thematic learning so that is how I plan a lot of our learning. I am looking at my year plan for the last three months (my last three themes are all based on student-inquiry ideas) and trying to find the time for Genius Hour to continue while still finishing our curriculum. With my original plan, it doesn't really fit. I need to adapt based on what my students need.
The kids have made it very clear that Genius Hour is a time they value and they've shown that they can handle the structure of it in learning. So here is my plan: we will put Genius Hour on the back burner for a while. I am leaving the wonderwall up to collect new inquiry ideas and then I will bring back Genius Hour when I see we have the time. I am committing here in writing that Genius Hour will be back by June at the latest! Thanks for everyone's feedback and support in our foray into Genius Hour. Staff, classmates, and parents alike, we couldn't have done it this well without you.