Step-by-Step Guide to using Genius Hour to unleash student voice in your classroom.

1. The Power of Genius Hour:
Honoring Student Voice
Dr. Karen A. Kraeger
Chalker Elementary, Cobb County Schools

2. It all began with a simple
question...

3. “How come nobody
ever asks us what
we want to learn
about?”
~Fifth Grader at Chalker Elementary

4. And then I saw this at a
GaETC Presentation...

5. I thought about this...

6. So...Genius Hour
came to Chalker 6

7. Getting Started
Overview:
– 5th Grade
– 9 Weeks
– 1 Hour per week
– Closed with Presentation Day
7

8. Getting Started
Unit Kickoff:
• Kid President Video- “Be Awesome”
• Intro Video about Genius Hour
• Mt. Kilimanjaro Video
• Brainstorm “Passions”
• Brief Discussion of Project
• HW- Discuss Project Ideas w/ Parents
• Blog about Idea
8

9. Jumping In...
• Ideas on Genius Hour Board
• Create Driving Question
• Review w/ teacher
• Topics on GH Board

10. Working the Genius...
10
• Weekly Project Time (1 Hour)
• Weekly Project Blogging on Edmodo
• Weekly Check-in w/ Teacher
• Peer Coaching at Week 4
• Final Teacher Conference

11. Resources
Project Ideas
Inspiration
How-To
Guidelines
Rubric

12. Project Topics

13. Resources:
Presentation
Choices

14. Presentation Time

15. Reflections on Genius Hour
• Project Walk (Informal Project
Sharing)
• Exit Slip

16. Student Voices...
16

17. More Student Voices...

18. Gifted Standards Included...

19. Outcomes of Genius Hour...
• Successful Cupcake Business
• Two Novellas published on Amazon
• Video Games published on Gamestar
Mechanic
• Inspired 4th Graders to Publish a Book
and Create a Video Game Company
(Registered as a GA LLC)
• Endless creativity, inspiration, and
self-confidence!

20. Finished Projects
Blog-See presentation photos and also
links to some of the student created
websites.
Genius Hour Finale

21. Resources
Check Concurrent Session Schedule for
a complete unit plan including exit slips,
student contract, weekly overview of
activities, links to helpful websites,
videos, and blogs.
Contact me for more information:
Karen.kraeger@cobbk12.org

22. We hope you enjoyed
this GaETC session.
Please give your
feedback at
www.gaetc.org/evaluate