ABSTRACT
This chapter explains three steps for introducing Genius Hour: inspire, wonder and question. It is easier to judge the mind of a man by his questions rather than his answers. Hugh McDonald describes how he handles the inspiration step: “We like to watch inspirational videos, discuss them and connect what bugged the person/group about their passion and identify the action they took”. Celebrating everyone’s genius and ability to meaningfully contribute to our class and community is what it is all about! As students watch the videos, hear the stories, and discuss read-alouds, students will begin to fashion ideas for Genius Hour. Not only can students write their individual brainstorming lists, but in many Genius Hour classes they prominently display what they call Wonder Walls or Passion Walls. Any time students think of ideas they are passionate about or wonder, they can add them directly to the wall on a sticky note or white board.
