ABSTRACT

Some students will be researching, some will be inventing and others will be documenting and reflecting. Everyone will be working at their own pace on an area of their passion or their wonder. During Genius Hour, students are assessed for learning. The teacher is always present to offer suggestions and help, encouragement and redirection as necessary. Hugh McDonald gives autonomous time for students to practice being resilient and explore their own learning questions. Hugh explained that his “rules” are simple: Students choose their project and then in six weeks they are expected to share their learning in a visible way. Students began to create and dream about how they could take action in fighting genetic diseases. People often ask if the students have trouble staying on task. Genius Hour helps students personalize their own learning. As students are allowed to personalize their own learning, their teachers will watch and learn. They will become better at differentiating for their students.