Name: _____________________

Course: __________

What is Genius Hour?

You will have 6 weeks to learn
about whatever you would like.
Yes, anything.

Genius Hour is an opportunity for

you to take control of your
learning. If youre bored- you only
have yourself to blame

There are 4 simple guidelines:

1. Your essential question cannot be
Google-able
2. You will get your project approved by
Mrs. B
3. You will conduct research
4. You will share your findings with your
class.

Along the way you will:

Create a project pitch
Do plenty of research: books,
internet, news articles
TED-style talk to share your
research

How I will be graded:

Looking Ahead Due Dates:

January 20/21: Project Pitch
February 5/6: Research Check-in
February 11/12: Project Presentations &
Reflection

Stage
Pitch

Points
30

%
15

Planning &
research
TED Talk

90

45

60

30

Reflection

10

Overall
Effort
Total

10

200

100

Brainstorming: My passions
What are some of your current loves? Likes?

How do you spend your time when you are not in school?

If you could read/learn about anything in the world, what would it be? What do
you wonder about?

How can you turn that into a passion project to show you are a genius? You can
build something, design something, make something, write something, collect
something its all up to you.

NEXT STEP: Narrow down your project to 2 different ideas. (You will need
to get my approval for the final project.)
1.

2.

Brainstorming Continued

Idea #1

Idea #2

Designing Essential Questions

The purpose of the genius hour is not just to summarize all
that you can on your topic, instead you need to build on
your understanding of the topic. To become an expert.
Topic:
What do I know?

What questions do I have?

<< HINT >>

Essential Questions (EQs) do not have
easy answers. EQs usually start with
these phrases:

How does this effect?

Why does it matter that?
How could things be different
if?
What is more important?
What is the best design for?
What is the difference?

____________________________
Some student examples:
How did the Ice age start and what
happened to the people and the animals?

Your research will answer an Essential Question (EQ). An EQ

asks that you move beyond just studying something to move
into action, to make change, to form an opinion, or make
something. An EQ cannot be answered by simple facts, or a "yes"
or "no" answer (see sidebar for more examples).
Enter your essential question(s) here:

Who created the internet and why? How

does this affect our culture today?
Who are the most famous artist throughout
history. I plan to make a website about
famous artists, and re-draw their most
famous pieces?
How are Solar Systems formed and what is
the purpose of them? What other solar
systems exist?
With help from writing techniques could an
eighth grader learn more about writing to
make a book?
How has architecture changed over the
years with regard to materials and
functions?

Congrats! Now be sure to email Mrs. B to get approval on your

topic/question.

Step 1:

10%

Develop a Project Pitch

Slide 1. Describe your

motivation for
pursuring your chosen
activity

Slide 2. Lays out your

proposed timeline and
goals, lists your
resources

Slide 3. States and

explains your essential
question and end goal
(create, develop, build,
learn... )

Using Google Slides, create a 3 slide pitch of your project. Should be 2-3 minutes
long.
Requires an effective and planned delivery (not reading).
***Be prepared for Q & A.
NOTES:
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
____________________________________________
___________________
6

Planning and Research

Step 2:

50%

What do I know?
What do I want to know?
How will I find out?

You will need various resources for your project:

1 interview (OPTIONAL: email or in-person)
2-3 articles
2-3 websites

Citing Sources: EasyBib.com (Create an account).

Use this website to cite your sources and save your
works cited page.
Research Notes
Source
author

Notes

Source
author

Notes
8

Source
author

Notes
9

10

Step 3:
Write, design, and perform a meaningful

30%

Talk
T

SUGGESTED ORGANIZATION:

Hook
Transition
A logical order to your main points
And an effective conclusion

SUGGESTED CONTENT:
Inspire the audience with your passion for
your pursued activity
Explain the process & show the products of
your project
Talk about your purpose, or what the
audience should learn from your project
MUST INCLUDE a creative & supplemental
visual presentation (YOU, not the visuals,
should drive the TALK)

Follow the TED Commandments:

Show us the real you
Be vulnerable
Dont flaunt your ego
Dont boast
No selling from the stage
Dont read your talk
Notes are fine
End your talk on time

The delivery must be refined, poised, and enthusiastic

Dream big Strive to create the best talk youve ever given.
Connect with audience emotions: make us laugh, make us cry!
Controversy energizes
Rehearse your talk for timing, clarity, for impact

Only 3-4 minutes

long
11

Reflection

Step 4:

5%

Complete the following self-assessment. I know the

work youve done, so be honest.
(Scale: 1= completely disagree 5= completely agree)

I worked hard every day

I asked questions when I needed to in order to stay on
track
What grade do I deserve on my project based on how
focused I was and what I produced.

1 2 3 4 5
1 2 3 4 5

A B C D F
Now, in your opinion
I wish I had more time to work on my project.
1 2 3 4 5
I would want to do a project like this again.
1 2 3 4 5
What I would change about this project:

What I enjoyed about this project:

Other suggestions for Mrs. B regarding Genius Hour

Genius Hour Log: To be completed every Genius Hour Work Day

Date
Today I used my hour to

Next steps?
Now I need to

12

Jan 8/9

Jan
15/16

Jan
22/23

Jan
29/30

Feb
5/6

13