This document introduces the concept of "Genius Hour", which allows students one or two hours per week to work on self-directed projects that interest them and benefit others. It discusses how giving students free time to pursue their passions can boost engagement, productivity, and perceptions at school. The document also references how some companies give employees similar free time to work on projects using their strengths. Overall, it advocates for liberating students' genius through passion-driven learning experiences.

1. A Classroom Guide to
Genius Hour
LIBERATING GENIUS
#LiberatingGenius
Angela Maiers
@angelamaiers

2. 2
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DISCOVER?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO USE
YOUR PASSION AND GENIUS FOR?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO USE
YOUR PASSION AND GENIUS FOR?

3. 3
How would YOU feel if?
Your boss gave you free time to do anything you wanted
for two hours every week?
The only catch-It would need to benefit others.
Would you hug him/her? How would it affect your productivity?
Your level of engagement? Your thoughts and perceptions?

5. 5
"At Google, we know that every employee:
has something important to say;
is integral to our success and
is more important than the
technology we provide.
We are as passionate about their lives
as they are about their work.–
because at Google,
PEOPLE are our
most important asset."

6. How would THEY feel?How would THEY feel?

7. 7
We wanted, no
NEEDED to find out…

8. 8
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DISCOVER?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO USE
YOUR PASSION AND GENIUS FOR?
WHAT DO YOU WANT TO USE
YOUR PASSION AND GENIUS FOR?

9. #GeniusHour

10. 10
ACT
ACCEPT
ACCELERATE

11. 11
!ACCEPT

13. genius

14. Defining GeniusRe-
Solves problems
Makes an impact
Gifts the world

15. “I am a genius.
Did you know
I’m a genius? I am a genius!”

21. 21
!ACCELERATE

22. Windows and Mirrors

25. BEST
WhoYou Seek To Be
WhoYou Hope To Be
WhoYou Work To Be
Who You Are
Seen To Be
DescribedTo Be
Expected To Be
Who You Are
According TO YOU According TO WORLD
+
=

26. Me World

32. BEST
WhoYou Seek To Be
WhoYou Hope To Be
WhoYou Work To Be
Who You Are
Seen To Be
DescribedTo Be
Expected To Be
Who You Are
According TO YOU According TO WORLD
+
=

33. Passion Driven
Experiences

34. Passion as a
PRACTICE

36. 36
!ACT

37. NOTICE THE GENIUS
IN YOUR PRESENCE

39. The smartest person in the room
IS THE ROOM

41. #GeniusHour

43. ?
What Matters Most You?
2

44. What breaks your
HEART
about the world?
ACT ON THAT!

49. PRACTICE
MAKES
PROGRESS

50. BE BRAVE
DREAM
AUDACIOUSLY
CHALLENGE
grapple
WONDERBOLDLY
ADAPT
Risk
struggle
FAIL
Think Deeply

51. 51
65 countries -
122,000 classrooms
$24,000
Sponsor 7 children
Can you believe a class of 23 students are
building a library in a country across the
world?

53. 53

54. EPIC IMPACT

55. http://choose2matter.org/liberatinggenius/

59. BELIEVE

61. Ready to Liberate
YOUR GENIUS?
#LiberatingGenius
Angela Maiers
angelamaiers@gmail.com