Welcome to Genius Hour {Part 1}

Genius Hour is an idea for the classroom based on Google’s 20%.  In a nutshell, Google gives their employees 20% of their work week to work on “passion projects.”  They have seen an increase in employee productivity and some great products have come out of this time as well.  I started hearing about Genius Hour online from other teacher blogs and social media.  If you google it, it’s out there and you might be surprised by how many people are trying it.  I thought that it sounded like a great idea for my classroom.  This post is part 1 in a series that I will do about Genius Hour in our classroom.  The focus of this post is the start up!

This year, I have the “gifted cluster.”  What that means is that I have all of the third graders that are identified as gifted learners clustered in my room along with traditional learners.  Out of my 25 students, 12 are identified as gifted.  It can make for quite a challenge at times.  My gifted learners are flying through things, while some of my kiddos need a little more time.  The management piece was starting to get a bit difficult toward the end of November and I knew I had to do something.  I had tried “compacting out,” and it had resulted in some tears and pouts from the kids who didn’t compact out.  I tried “passion projects,” and “learning contracts,” but my kiddos just weren’t quite independent enough.  I would have a line of kiddos waiting to ask me questions (because these are the curious learners who question everything!) while I was trying to get through a lesson. 

Enter…..Genius Hour.  An hour (not quite…more like 40 minutes) a week where ALL of my students can work on learning anything they want (within reason).  They are all doing Genius Hour so I am available to help and answer questions without being interrupted. 

So, how did I get started……..

1.

I researched Genius Hour and came up with a plan for what it would look like in my classroom.  We do it on Fridays at the end of the day.  I wrote a proposal for my principal complete with the standards that Genius Hour would cover and scheduled a meeting to present it to him.  My principal is super supportive and my assistant principal is a creative thinker who is a also a parent of gifted kiddo so they loved the idea!  We brainstormed problems that I might run into.  The biggest one I had already identified was access to technology.  Then we brainstormed solutions.  I showed him that parent letter I had made, along with all of the papers I planned on giving the students to help keep them accountable and on track. (These are all in my Genius Hour Starter Pack.)

Genius Hour was approved!

2.

I began working on how to introduce Genius Hour to my students.  I found an idea online to pump them up with a video from Kid President. (Click Here to see it) That first Friday, I built the suspense a little bit during the day.  I began our time that afternoon by telling them that what we were about to do wasn’t being done by anyone else at our school.  That our principal had given us special permission to do it.  They were so excited by this point!  Then I showed them the Kid President video.  They LOVED the video and ask to watch it at brain break all the time now!  Then I had a slideshow prepared to introduce them to what Genius Hour is and the “rules,” of Genius Hour.  There are only a few basic rules; their project must be approved by me and their parents, it must be research based and  they must create some type of presentation for the class about what they learned.  (The slideshow I used is part of my Genius Hour Starter Pack.)  The kiddos ate it up!  They couldn’t believe that I was actually going to give them time to learn about ANYTHING they wanted.  I gave them the parent letter to put in their folders and then I gave them the brainstorm paper and some quiet time to think.  They took the brainstorm paper home with them also to discuss ideas with their parents.  That was it for the first Friday.  I wanted to give them plenty of time to think, wonder and brainstorm so they could come up with a project that was meaningful and that they could get really excited about!

3.

The next Friday, was project proposal day.  We went through the proposal together and then they filled it out.  I was available at the back table for students who were still struggling to refine their idea and turn into a Genius Hour project.  I let them discuss their ideas with classmates and bounce ideas off of them.  It was so fun to hear them pitch their ideas to their peers and then get feedback or things to think about.  I love listening to them collaborate! Those that were ready to turn it in did so and several of them took their proposals home to work on and discuss with their parents. 

I will be back soon to post Part 2….What Genius Hour Looks Like…..

In the meantime, you can check out my Genius Hour Starter Pack on TpT and go google Genius Hour if you’re interested! 

March Currently!

Good Morning from the rainy desert!  I woke up to the sound of rain coming down instead of an alarm clock.  I am one happy girl! 

 

Here it is…..Currently for March!

Listening….I already covered that, it was a glorious sound to wake up to!

Loving…..The big TpT sale was a huge success.  I was able to stock up on things that will hopefully carry me through the rest of the year. I am so thankful for that sight and all of the amazing, talented and creative teacher-authors that are a part of it!

Thinking…..That I NEED to get off my laptop and start getting stuff done.  We have dance competition this weekend, an hour away from our house.  My older daughter has her solo tonight and tomorrow my younger daughter performs her duo and all of the group dances go on!  Oh yeah, and I still have to do the laundry, pick up the house (let’s be honest, it isn’t getting cleaned…just picked up), and grocery shop.  Oh the life of a busy mom!

Wanting…..I found an Alex and Ani bracelet that I am obsessed with.  I love so many of them, but there is one that says “Completely Blessed,” on the charm.  It is so perfect for me and I really want it.  The problem is that I have THE WORST time spending money on myself.  If it is a purchase for my family or my classroom, no problem.  Something that is just for me though, I will agonize over the decision for days.  Is that normal?  Does anyone else do that?

Needing……To get my guest bedroom done.  I said “decorated” on the Currently, but truth be told there still isn’t even a bed in that room.  I have a lot of work to do.  I won’t have a problem spending money on that, because the way I look at it, it’s not really for me it’s for my guest.  My mom is coming for a visit over Spring Break and then my husband wants his mom to come stay with us for a few days.  I have a lot to do!

And finally, 17 years is the answer to my question.  Can you guess my question? 

 

It’s been fun catching up and I can’t wait to read everyone's!  Happy Rainy Saturday!

 

3 Million Strong Sale!

It’s finally here! I can’t wait to stock up on some items that have been on my wishlist!  My whole store is also on sale for 20% off and don’t forget to use the code TPT3 for additional savings!  Click HERE to check out the items on sale!  Happy Shopping!

 

For The Future Generation of Social Media Users

This week we are working on those difficult homophones you’re/your and there/their/they’re.  I told my kiddos that one of my biggest pet peeves is how often adults still misuse those homophones on social media.  It. Bugs. Me.  So, I am on a quest to change that for the future generation! I told them that if they ever plan on “friending,” me when they are older they had better learn the difference! If you would like to join my quest, I created and posted these little packs and they are FREE at my TpT store.  Just click the picture to go download them!

As always, I just ask that if you download them you please leave feedback and consider following my little store/blog/Instagram account.  It will help you keep up to date on flash freebies, free downloads, new products/ideas and sales!  Thanks so much!  You guys are the best!

 

Sunday Blues

They just hit….how about you?  It’s Sunday evening and I am still tired!  Last week was a CRAZY busy week and this week is shaping up to be too!  I did manage to find time to FINALLY upload some new products I’ve been working on! 

My new Valentine themed math centers are finally ready and they will be on sale 50% off until the big day!  Click on the pic below to go grab them from my store!

There are centers for reviewing multiplication facts, working with fractions, and story problems.  All things we need extra practice with right now!

I also FINALLY finished my giant James and the Giant Peach novel study!  We actually finished the book as a class before winter break but there were a few activities and things that I needed to tweak before I uploaded them.  Nothin’ like using my kiddos as guinea pigs right!  They absolutely LOVED the book and couldn’t wait to dive into Charlie and the Chocolate Factory!  We finished that one about 2 weeks ago and celebrated with a “Wonka,” Party!  It was a huge hit!

Anyways, this pack is giant and it includes loads of activities and power point presentations for teaching vocabulary!  You can click on the pics below to check it out!

It will be on sale in my little store through Thursday!  You can grab it for 20% off! 

I’m off to finish up around the house and get ready for my busy week of Parent-Teacher conferences and my first trip with my husband minus children EVER! 

Happy Sunday evening everyone!

Currently February

It has been sooooo long since I have linked up for a Currently, or even blogged for that matter.  Life is busy (sigh).

Listening

Laundry…..it is never ending.  I have a system that is helping it go faster for me though.  In my closet I have 4 baskets and we sort the clothes as we go during the week.  Then, on Friday nights before I go to bed, I grab my daughters’ baskets and sort those into the baskets in my closet so that I can start laundry first thing Saturday morning.  I am always up at least 2 hours before everyone else in my house on the weekends, it’s my quiet time!  I can usually have a few loads done before the rest of the family is even up!

Loving

We discovered a new hiking trail a few weeks ago and we have gone every Sunday since.  My girls love it and we get to spend quality time together and get exercise!

Thinking

I have a lot of work to get done this weekend.  We have our Famous American Wax Museum coming up this week.  120 third graders will be set up on display in the hallways of our school.  This year’s event will be even bigger and better!  We are doing it in the evening so that we can put them on display along the hallways and make it more like a “real,” museum!  I will be sure to blog about it next week!  It is by far one of our favorite days as teachers!

Wanting

My husband and I have NEVER left our children to go on a trip just the two of us.  Can you believe that?!  It’s not that we haven’t ever wanted to, life just gets busy.  Finances are always tight.  I could go on and on.  Anyways, we are finally going somewhere!  He has a former basketball player who is playing D1 college basketball in Texas.  A few weeks ago he texted and said that his Senior Night was coming up and that if my husband could make it he wants him to walk out on the court with him for his introduction!  No way am I letting him miss that!  And of course someone needs to be there to take lots of pics!!!  So, I found a cute blue and white chevron shirt…….

Now I want to find a cute orange necklace to wear with it.  Not my first choice in color combinations but it’s the school colors! 

Needing

I NEED to go for a run this morning and do some weights.  I have a few weeks and I NEED to fit into my jeans comfortably.  I really can’t afford to buy a new pair right now!

2 Truths and A Fib…….

1.  True….I did meet Johnny Depp when I was in junior high.  At a car show in Hartford, Connecticut.  It was back during his 21 Jump Street days and I had just a teeny tiny crush on him!

 

2.  True….When I was 3, my dad played on his company softball team.  I was at his game with my cute little NY Yankees ball cap on and my softball glove on my hand.  My dad was rolling the ball to me to “catch,” and a photographer snapped a picture.  It ran in papers all over the country as filler.  My mom got clippings and letters from people in Ohio and California.  It was my brief 15 minutes of fame and I was too young to enjoy it !

3.  Fib…..I really don’t like cooking.  I do it because they ask to eat every night!  We are a hard family to feed, lots of food allergies and dietary restrictions.  Coming up with ideas for meals is a chore that I do not enjoy.  If we could eat Chipotle every night we would, but that would get expensive.

  Okay, I’m off to switch out a load of laundry and  put on my running shoes……talk to you all soon!

 

 

Visual Plans for the Week {Better Late Than Never?}

It’s good to be back after a very long blogging break.  We had a lot going on in the Wood house, I won’t drag this out with lots of details, but it’s good to be back!

This is a short week, we had Monday off and Thursday is an early release day. 

I will be presenting for the very first time at our staff professional development. YIKES!  I’m a bit nervous about how it will be received by my colleagues.   If you have any tips for me I would love to hear them!

Here we go with the lesson plans…….

The skill that goes along with this week’s mentor sentence is possessive pronouns.  I made a little add on pack to go with my Parts of Speech freebie in my TpT store.

 

The possessive pronoun pack is also a freebie.  Click here to go grab them!

In all of the craziness of the holiday at the end of last semester we got out of our normal routine.  I am so happy to finally be back in the swing and that things are calming down and returning to normal.  With the return to normal comes the return to math workstations and my kiddos couldn’t be more excited!  Since we don’t really have a true winter here in the desert, I created these Winter Wonderland centers so my kids could get a small taste of winter in our 70+ degree weather!

Click HERE or on the pic above to check out the preview and learn more about them.  They will be on sale in my TpT store for 20% off until my professional development presentation is over on Thursday!   Wish me luck!