[ISLMA-Share] ELEM: Genius Hour

[Email list for the Illinois School Library Media Association]

Hi,
I am finishing up a Genius Hour project with my 5th graders right now.  I
started off by showing them a few videos describing the concept, then had
them turn in a sheet with their topic, what they wanted to learn about
their topic, how they would learn it, and how they were going to learn it.
I also let them work with a partner if they wanted.  I met with each group
and went over their sheets, once they had approval they started.  Since
they started I've been pretty much hands off, unless they come to me.
They've actually been much more into it than I thought they would.  The
biggest problem that I've encountered is that some of them finished before
the others, and finding things for them to do is getting a little hard.

They are all pretty much done now and the presentations have begun.  I told
them they could present anyway they wanted, for most of them that meant
Google Slides.  Next year if I do it again I may say no Google Slides.  The
final projects I've seen have been pretty good so far.  Some students have
gone far beyond what I expected from them.  Overall I can say the
engagement level was higher than what I normally get from this group.  They
worked hard when they were here, they were excited about, and they are
interested in what their classmates have done.

Feel free to email me off the list if you have more questions.

Matt

On Thu, Jan 11, 2018 at 8:00 AM, Email list for the Illinois School Library
Media Association <islma at list.railslibraries.info> wrote:

> Do any of you do anything resembling Genius Hour with your 5th graders? I
> see my 5th grade 1 a week for 42 minutes (provided they show up on time,
> or come at all). During that 42 minute time, I have to teach and give the
> kids time to check out.
>
>
>
> I would like to use a Genius Hour concept to teach the research skills,
> and digital/information literacy skills during this. I can take all of 2nd
> semester to do this. I have begged, pleaded, offered to do all the work for
> in class research activities for all subjects. No one is even remotely
> interested in doing it.
>
>
>
> How do you do “Genius Hour” in your library?
>
>
>
> Thanks,
>
>
>
> Kendra Hodgson-Newton, MLIS
>
> Glenview Middle School
>
> East Moline School District #37
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=East+Moline+School+District+%2337%0D+3100+7&entry=gmail&source=g>
>
> 3100 7
> <https://maps.google.com/?q=East+Moline+School+District+%2337%0D+3100+7&entry=gmail&source=g>
> th St.
>
> East Moline, IL 61244
>
> Phone: 309-755-1919 ext. 233 <(309)%20755-1919>
>
> Fax: 309-752-2567 <(309)%20752-2567>
>
>
>
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-- 
Matt Smolka
IMC Specialist-Wayne Thomas Elementary
msmolka at nssd112.org

Follow us on Twitter @WayneThomasIMC
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