Genius Hour is the opportunity for learners to pursue their passions and deep interests through purposeful work during the school day.  This idea was introduced through the Genius Hour Manifesto created by Gallit Zvi, Denise Krebs, Hugh McDonald, AJ Juliani, and Joy Kirr.

It is based on the 20% time idea utilized by companies like Google to provide employees the time and autonomy to innovate and design.  

Basically, its an opportunity for learners to make connections, learn by doing, and practice life-ready skills in a very authentic way. 

Let me be clear. I believe that EVERY learner deserves an opportunity to pursue their passions and purpose during the school day.

However, my work is focused on gifted learners and I implemented Genius Hour in a gifted classroom.

Genius Hour is vital for gifted learners as it fosters autonomy, creativity, and passion-driven learning. It provides them with the freedom to explore topics of personal interest deeply, allowing their unique talents and interests to flourish. Through Genius Hour, gifted students can develop critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and a deeper understanding of complex concepts in areas they are passionate about. This self-directed approach not only enhances their academic growth but also nurtures their intrinsic motivation, resilience, and sense of accomplishment, preparing them to excel in both their academic pursuits and future endeavors.

Here's the thing...there are NO rules!  Genius Hour doesn't even have to be an hour.

It can happen once a week, every day, or once every six weeks. 

I think it's a good idea for every learner in every classroom to have a passion project running in the background.  This means that everyone starts their individual projects together and when they finish their work early or already understand what is being learned, they are given the opportunity to make progress on on their project.

I also love when campuses value the idea enough to give up one hour a week CAMPUS-WIDE for every learner to spend time working on their project.  

So, don't worry...you can't do it wrong.  Just decide what works best for you and your learners and make it happen.  Trust me, you will be so glad that you did

Let's be honest...Genius Hour is not the norm in a traditional classroom.  It's going to feel weird for both you and your learners and it will take a while to settle in.

It's going to be messy, it's going to be hard, and it's going to feel like you are doing everything wrong...keep going!

I promise, it gets better and the return on your investment will be HUGE!  

If you are in the hard and need some support, let me know.  I'll be happy to cheer you on, listen to your frustration, and troubleshoot the pitfalls with you.  Just DON'T GIVE UP!

• Promotes autonomy and self-directed learning
• Cultivates creativity and innovation
• Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Enhances research and investigative abilities
• Fosters intrinsic motivation and engagement
• Celebrates individual interests and passions
• Builds a positive classroom culture of collaboration and growth mindset
• Provides opportunities for diverse and personalized learning experiences
• Prepares students for real-world challenges and future careers
• Supports the development of lifelong learners