Genius Hour Packet

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Name: _____________________

Course: __________

What is Genius Hour?You will have 6 weeks to learn

about whatever you would like. Yes, anything.

Genius Hour is an opportunity for you to take control of your learning. If you’re bored- you only have yourself to blame

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There are 4 simple guidelines:

1. Your essential question cannot be “Google-able”

2. You will get your project approved by Mrs. B

3. You will conduct research4. You will share your findings

with your class.

Along the way you will:

Create a project pitch Do plenty of research:

books, internet, news articles

Develop a TED-style talk to share your research

How I will be graded:

Stage PointsPitch 15

Planning &

research

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TED Talk: Final

100

Total 150

Looking Ahead… Due Dates:

January 18/19: Project Pitch

February 8/9: Project Presentations & Reflection

Brainstorming: My passionsWhat are some of your current loves? Likes?

How do you spend your time when you are not in school?

If you could read/learn about anything in the world, what would it be? What do you wonder about?

How can you turn that into a passion project to show you are a genius? You can build something, design something, make something, write something, collect something… it’s all up to you.

NEXT STEP: Narrow down your project to 2 different ideas. (You will need to get my approval for the final project.)1. 2.

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Brainstorming Continued

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Idea #1

Idea #2

Designing Essential QuestionsThe purpose of the genius hour is not just to summarize all that you can on your topic, instead you need to build on your understanding of the topic. To become an expert.

Topic:

What do I know?

What questions do I have?

Your research will answer an Essential Question (EQ). An EQ asks that you move beyond just studying something to move into action, to make change, to form an opinion, or make something. An EQ cannot be answered by simple facts, or a "yes" or "no" answer (see sidebar for more examples).

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<< HINT >>Essential Questions (EQs) do not have easy answers. EQs usually start with these phrases:

How does this effect…? Why does it matter

that…? How could things be

different if…? What is more

important…? What is the best design

for…? What is the difference…?

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Some student examples:How did the Ice age start and what happened to the people and the animals?

Who created the internet and why? How does this affect our culture today?

Who are the most famous artist throughout history. I plan to make a website about famous artists, and re-draw their most famous pieces?

How are Solar Systems formed and what is the purpose of them? What other solar systems exist?

With help from writing techniques could an eighth grader learn more about writing to make a book?

How has architecture changed

Enter your essential question(s) here:

Congrats! Now be sure to email Mrs. B to get approval on your topic/question.

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Step 1:

15 pts

Develop a Project Pitch

1. Using Google Slides, create a 3 slide pitch of your project. Your pitch should be 2-3 minutes long.

2.Must be saved as follows: "Last name, First name: Project Pitch"

3. Requires an effective and planned delivery (not reading). ***Be prepared for Q & A.NOTES: ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Slide 1. Describe your motivation for

pursuring your chosen activity

Slide 2. Lays out your proposed timeline and

goals, lists your resources (CITE)

Slide 3. States and explains your essential question and end goal (create, develop, build,

learn... )

Planning and Research

What do I know?What do I want to know?

How will I find out?

You will need various resources for your project; at least 5 credible sources: 1 interview (OPTIONAL: email or in-

person) 2-3 articles 2-3 websites

Citing Sources: EasyBib.com (Create an account). Use this website to cite your sources and save your works cited page.

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Step 2

Is This Source Legit?

CCredibility

Is the author listed? Are the author’s credentials listed? How do you know they are an authority on the

subject? Are there spelling or grammatical errors?

AAccuracy

Is there a date for publication? Is the information up-to-date? Does the information agree with other sources? Is the information complete? Does the author acknowledge all viewpoints? Is the information factual or opinion?

R Reasonableness Is the author fair? Is the author concerned with telling the truth? Is it clear why the source was created? What is the quality of the images?

S Support Are all sources listed? Can you contact the author for clarification?

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RESEARCH - What type of source? (Circle appropriate source below)

Newspaper Article - Magazine Article - Website - Interview - Book - Other: _______________

Title: _________________________________________URL: _________________________________________Author: ______________________________________Date Published: _______________________________Facts, notes, statistics, quotes, etc:

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Need more room? Feel free to add paper to this research packet.

How would you rate this source?

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How do you know? Circle the strongest reason: Credibility Accuracy

Reasonableness Support




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T

TalkWrite, design, and perform a meaningful

Step 3:

100pts

SUGGESTED ORGANIZATION:

Hook Transition A logical order to your main points… And an effective conclusion

SUGGESTED CONTENT: Inspire the audience with your passion for

your pursued activity Explain the process & show the products

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Follow the TED Commandments: Show us the real you Be vulnerable Don’t flaunt your ego Don’t boast No selling from the stage Don’t read your talk Notes are fine End your talk on time

The delivery must be refined, poised, and enthusiastic Dream big… Strive to create the best talk you’ve ever given. Connect with audience emotions: make us laugh, make us cry! Controversy energizes Rehearse your talk… for timing, clarity, for impact

SUGGESTED ORGANIZATION:

Hook Transition A logical order to your main points… And an effective conclusion

SUGGESTED CONTENT: Inspire the audience with your passion for

your pursued activity Explain the process & show the products

Only 3-4 minutes long

Qualities of a TED Talk:

My talk brainstorming:

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ReflectionComplete the following self-assessment. I know the

work you’ve done, so be honest.(Scale: 1= completely disagree 5= completely agree)

I worked hard every day 1 2 3 4 5I asked questions when I needed to in order to stay on track

1 2 3 4 5What grade do I deserve on my project based on how focused I was and what I produced. A B C D F

Now, in your opinion…I wish I had more time to work on my project.

1 2 3 4 5I would want to do a project like this again. 1 2 3 4 5What I would change about this project:

What I enjoyed about this project:

Other suggestions for Mrs. B regarding Genius Hour

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Step 4

Genius Hour Log: To be completed every Genius Hour Work DayDate

Today I used my hour to…Next steps?

Now I need to…

Jan 7/8

Jan 14/15

Jan 21/22

Jan 28/29

Feb4/5

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Documents

Genius Hour Packet