Here at Raymond-Knowles, we are always eager to try a new idea, especially if it might result in increased student engagement and learning. Our most recent experiment is just getting underway in the 7th and 8th grade classroom. This idea, found and researched by Mrs. Townsend, is being conducted in various schools throughout the country.
Genius Hour originates from an idea that is part of Google’s corporate culture. Google employees are given 20% of their work time to pursue projects and ideas of their own choosing. This time has resulted in innovations like Gmail and those lovely suggestions that pop up in the search bar once you begin typing.
Genius Hour is intended to be Google’s 20% time in the classroom. Students will get to spend about 20% of their work week on learning of their own choosing. Students must maintain a blog that documents their learning along the way, and they will have to produce a final project that demonstrates their learning. We are looking forward to seeing what our students learn and do with this time.
For more information about Genius Hour, ask Mrs. Townsend, Mrs. Stevenson, or, best yet, a 7th or 8th grader.
