Our First Genius Hour

Hello 2-3 Families,

In September, I introduced you all to our Genius Hour project.  I am amazed by your children each day! There was lots of planning and preparation that wen into our first Genius Hour.  In order to prepare them for our first project, each student was given their own genius badge to wear while conducting research....

Genius Hour is ALL about what the students want to learn about and for our first GH, the kids would be researching various topics about.....MEXICO!  The class was split into 6 groups.  Each group had its own topic to research.  The topics that were researched about Mexico during our first Genius Hour were: Facts About Mexico, Chihuahuas, Quesadillas, Iguanas, the San Quintin Kangaroo Rat, and Mexican Food. 

In order for the students to safely conduct their research online for this topic, I did some work in advance to prepare for the day.  My colleague, Mrs. Yanong, introduced me to the amazing website, Flipsnack.  Using this website, I was able to create a webpage that included links to websites I had already deemed safe for the kids to use for their research.  The kids were able to easily navigate the links to conduct their research.   I also created GH packets for the kids to compile up to 10 interesting facts they found on their topic.  

Now that the kids were ready to conduct their research, we had to set the mood for Mexico!  We played Mariachi music while we worked and also projected a huge photo of my Chihuahua, Hua, on the white board for the kids to enjoy......she was ready for a fiesta!

Not only did the class work to compile up to 10 interesting facts about their topic, they also had to come up with a background design they wanted to use when shooting their pictures with Patches, Hermie, and Funky Monkey on the green screen.  This was so much fun!  The kids pictures started out like this...

and ended up looking like this......

The best thing about the Genius Hour project is seeing the kids have control of their learning.  They are the ones who think of the topics they are going to research, what photos they want to use, and the information they choose to present to their classmates.  I am amazed and inspired by what these kids can do!

We are gearing up for round 2 of Genius Hour this week when we research.....HAWAII.  Before I say ADIOS, check out our slideshow of the kids working on their Mexico Genius Hour.

Adios,

Mrs. Porte