Student Led Learning
Well, I'm finally putting my two cents in on our blog.
Hi, I'm the other writer of these blog posts. Here is my first of my many contributing blog posts.
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For two years now we have been doing our own version of Genius Hour. (I call it Passion Projects and Mindy calls hers G60). This is because the original idea from Google allowed their employees one hour (60 minutes) a week to focus their time on a topic of interest, helping the company in someway.
Let me start by saying this is one of my favorite things to do with my students and one of their favorite memories of the entire year!
We start with something they are motivated to learn more about, anything that drives them, that interests them. It's an amazing thing to see them light up when they get to CHOOSE what they want to learn about - it's so motivating for me and the students. After all, don't we all like taking time to learn more about those things that truly interest us? Why should young children be any different? Aren't we, as educators, meant to continue to foster this love of learning and curiosity? Well, I have found our Passion Projects do that and more.
Here's what they look like in our room:
1. Students chose a teacher approved topic. We often need to refine the size of the topic as to not get overwhelmed with the amount of information students can find.
2. Students then take notes (something that helps to have taught prior to the research- just my personal experience)
3. Students work to prepare a presentation of the information they have learned. This too is as individual as each student. It can be helpful to create a rubric to monitor their progress through the entire project.
Our student created projects have incorporated QR codes, iMovie trailers, hand crafted "models" of their topic, traditional posters, demonstrations and many more, but all have included a verbal presentation/explanation as well. Yes this is all done in 1st/2nd grade. You too can do this- just take that first step and watch how things start to roll.
4. Final presentation/sharing of the new knowledge they learn. We invite our parents to come see the presentations if possible or share them on our portfolio night.
Does this take time and energy?- sure it does. But the learning, excitement and amazing presentation that come out of this make it well worth any extra effort, time and chaos that may occur.
I have links below to a few of the sites we use for our research. We also use as our local AEA online site and don't forget about books from our school and local libraries. Our school librarian has been a great asset and is so willing to help gather books on the topics we are pursuing.
Links for safer searching:
http://www.safesearchkids.com
http://kidtopia.info
http://www.kidrex.org
We would LOVE to hear of any other kid safe search engines you use as this can be one of the trickiest parts of putting technology in the hands of our students.
As a side note, we have also created our own sites for some projects we do in our rooms by gathering information for the students and then sending them to those teacher created safe sites for their learning. This is a lot of work for the teacher but can help calm any fears of students ending up on the wrong site. Sounds like another future blog post.
I have typically done my Passion Projects at the end of the year but am planning to use it through out the school year as the 2015-16 approaches. I have BIG plans with some new technology- look for that post to come soon!
As crazy as Passion Projects can be, you can make it work with whatever organizational style you already have in your room and did I mention the long lasting benefits and intrinsic learning are unbelievable? Not only will your students remember this project and what they have learned but parents will be AMAZED at the excitement for learning and student products that come from this!
Let the Mayhem begin!!!!!!
-Lynn
#leadwithtaillights
#provethemwrong
#indeed
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