1. Genius Hour Student-Directed Learning
Michele Smyth
Lake Orion Community Schools
March 2015

2. What is Genius Hour?
Genius Hour is an idea for the classroom based on Google's 20%.
It gives students authentic, real world opportunities to refine the skills they are learning. It promotes, supports, and models creative, innovative thinking and inventiveness.
It allows students an opportunity to discover/investigate one of their passions and reflect on/share their learning with others. These are usually things that they don't get to learn about in the set curriculum
Students practice self-awareness, cooperation skills, and problem- solving.
Student Introduction Video (or anyone else who wants a simple explanation!)
It can be tailored to fit your students’ level of learning and as simple or complex as your schedule allows.

4. How Do I Get Started?
Set aside a specific time each week. It should stay the same in order to validate it’s importance to you, your students, and the rest of the school. It is another sacred time- just like the other set core subjects.
Look it up on educational sites or Pinterest. There are many different formats and routines. Flexibility is key. See what works or doesn’t work for your class.
Plan ahead! Prepare and educate yourself before beginning.
Involve parents!

5. Guiding Students in the Process
The goal is to guide students, not control their work. Think mentor!
Teach them the tech, but they will produce the product.
Create an easy to follow plan for you and students.
Spirit of guided questioning.
Culture that accepts peer suggestions.

6. Sharing Student Work Web posts on a blog
links to blog or YouTube
Twitter
Host a Genius Hour night for parents and students
Present at a school board meeting.

7. See Genius Hour in Action!
The Write Stuff Teaching: Great blog posts about implementing a “passion project” in primary grades (search: Genius Hour).
Teacher Interview about Implementation
High School setting
Genius Hour in 1st Grade
The Nerdy Teacher (includes links to Twitter chats)
Cybrary Man's Educational Web Sites Extensive list of links all supporting the Genius Hour process and implementation.

8. Avoid Common Pitfalls Students need a clear idea to start.
Be prepared to veto partnerships.
This is not “free time”. Be prepared to defend using theory and standards.
Not all projects are genius!