Engage students & supercharge learning with Genius Hour #geniushour

I admit, that is what I first thought when my friend Angela Maiers said this. However, if you look at the definition of genius:

“1. Exceptional intellectual or creative power or other natural ability.
2. A person who is exceptionall intelligent or creative, either generally or in some particular respect: “musical genius.”
Synonym: talent”

We are looking for the natural abilities of students. Now, don’t mistake natural ability for the art of mastering. We all know naturally gifted athletes who never accomplished anything because they were allergic to sweat, or naturally smart kids who accomplished nothing once they had to study. Genius takes time but talent can be spotted and nurtured.

One thing is sure, if a child never knows their own talent… they will never get on the path to genius. It starts with identifying and nurturing passions.

I’m a passion meter. 

Why should students be doing the same thing all the time? Can’t we lead them in inquiry based learning experiences where they are explorers, scientists, creators, and inventors? We must help them find their genius so they can find purpose.

My job is to help students discover those passions and innate talents that they don’t know they have. Twenty percent of our time is spent on personal interest projects. Every teacher can’t do 20% time, but EVERY teacher, EVERY school, and EVERY classroom can have an exciting, engaging genius hour. It is that important.

Recently on the Every Classroom Matters show, I sat down with the “Fantastic 4” of Genius hour: +Joy Kirr (@joykirr), +Denise Krebs (@mrsdkrebs), +Hugh McDonald (@hughtheteacher) and +Gallit Zvi (@gallit_z).

Do you know it was the first time all four of them had physically talked in real time? It was electric as they discussed passion based learning and how they implement genius hour in the classroom. They are doing incredible work and I highly recommend adding them to your PLN.

Listen to the authors of the Genius Hour Manifesto: 

Click here to listen:
Radically Authentic Learning: How Classrooms Change when Student Genius Drives Learning