Genius Hour: Passion Projects That Ignite Innovation and Student Inquiry

by Andi McNair

Overview

Genius Hour, Second Edition features newly revised handouts, up-to-date online resources, and fresh strategies for implementing Genius Hour, or passion projects, in your classroom.

Genius Hour allows students to experience personalized learning through self-driven projects, application of standards and real-world skills, and opportunities to learn through productive struggle and reflection. Presented through an easy-to-follow six-step strategy, teachers will utilize the 6 P's—passion, plan, pitch, project, product, and presentation—as a map for students to follow as they create, design, and carry out projects. This second edition also features a new chapter on lessons learned from the author’s early days implementing Genius Hour, helping readers get ahead of common pitfalls.

This beloved guide will make the Genius Hour process not only meaningful for learners but manageable for educators.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781000591460
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	06/23/2022
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	168
Sales rank:	343,685
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

Andi McNair was a classroom teacher in public education for 16 years before pursuing her passion to change education by sharing practical ways to engage and empower today’s learners. She is currently a Digital Innovation and Gifted/Talented Specialist at ESC Region 12 in Waco, Texas. Visit her website at http://www.andimcnair.com.

Table of Contents

Section I: Introduction, 1. Why Passion Projects?, 2. Introducing the 6 Ps, Section II: The 6 Ps, 3. Passion: Finding the Spark, 4. Plan: Building the Fire, 5. Pitch: Lighting the Match, 6. Project: Igniting the Flame, 7. Product: Making the S’mores, 8. Presentation: Watching It Burn, Section III: Everything Else You Need to Know for Genius Hour Success, 9. When the Fire Fizzles, 10. Mistakes I Made, 11. Keeping It Real, 12. Resources, 13. References, 14. About the Author

Editorial Reviews

Andi McNair's Genius Hour is a great resource for those who want to release potential in students but do not know how or where to start. The processes and tools provided are a great foundation for students (and their teachers) to use as they pursue projects they are passionate about . . . . Whether the reader is a novice or veteran, I feel that everyone will gain something of value from reading Genius Hour.,Terry Carter,MiddleWeb, 6/15/17
This book is a fantastic guide for teachers to implement student-directed passion projects in the classroom . . .. Although aimed at educators, this book can also be useful for parents. It includes great tips on how to discover and encourage the passions of children. This is certainly valuable information for parents. It also provides a clear and concise understanding of what the goals of education should be in our modern age. It definitely challenges the norm, but in an inspiring and energizing way.,Sarah Perry,Manhattan Book Review, 6/1/17
The book takes what could be a very open-ended process and provides an organizational framework so teachers and students can make the time productive . . . A very practical and good reference as teachers work to optimize the process in their individual classrooms. Mindprint Learning, 12/1/17

From the Publisher

09/01/2017
"Genius Hour" is an educational trend that focuses on the individual learner and allots regular class time for students to pursue a personal passion. The idea is based on the assumption that young people learn collaboration, communication, critical thinking, and creativity when allowed to explore their interests. McNair lays out the six phases of Genius Hour in detail, with chapters devoted to "Passion," "Plan," "Pitch," "Project," "Product," and "Presentation." She also addresses troubleshooting and assessment. Each chapter ends with reflection questions and a list of technological resources that were discussed in the prior pages. Sample planning documents for students and teachers are included, too. In addition to offering a typical annotated bibliography, the book provides Genius Hour—related Twitter handles and hashtags. One drawback of the text is that McNair appears to have implemented this concept primarily with gifted students, so educators working with a wider variety of learning levels and styles may need to look elsewhere. Though the volume mentions standards, it doesn't get specific about them. VERDICT Best for educators whose school administrators are already on board with Genius Hour, but anyone interested in the concept will find useful material within.—Deidre Winterhalter, Oak Park Public Library, IL

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