#2ndchat Archive
#2ndchat is a Twitter hashtag that can be used to chat, collaborate, and grow with other second grade educators from around the world. Every other week we will discuss a different topic. It's a great way to help grow your PLN (Professional/Personal Learning Network) and share ideas with others.
Wednesday July 13, 2016
Charlotte Bower from Nova Scotia finally on vacation. Very interested in learning about genius hour
welcome! I am Vickie from Ontario Canada! Also on vacation and currently in a heat wave here!
Hi! So happy to see everyone for a great topic tonight! Thanks to for moderating tonight! I'm Carol from AL!
Hi everyone! Jackie from South Florida. Ready to talk Genius Hour in tonight's
Hi everyone. Joe, math & STEM coach from CA. Excited to connect and learn with everyone
Hi Joe! So glad you are joining us tonight!
YEAH! Hi, Catherine! One of my Hoover friends!
Hi Joe! Glad you could join us!
Katie from Kansas! Excited to learn about genius hour!
Hi Katie! Welcome! I'm excited to learn too!
Hi Emily! Glad you are here!
Meghan, 3rd T from Andover, KS. Hope it is ok that I'm joining - love the topic!
Hot in Nova Scotia tonight as well! Can't wait to learn about genius hour @vickiemorgado1
Excited to be here for tonight's topic.
Welcome Meghan! I also teach 3rd grade!
Welcome Meghan! We LOVE that you are here! You are welcome ANY time!
Hi everyone! I'm Danielle from OKC. I'm a first year teacher & I'm excited to be here!
Welcome Danielle! I followed you back today! Thanks for following me and for joining us tonight!
Being on Twitter is the best decision EVER as a teacher. I wish it had been around when I started!
Welcome Danielle! Also followed you!
Hi, I'm Cheryl from NC. Excited about this chat!
A2: I've participated in another chat about genius hour and did some research. Never implemented.
Hi Cheryl! I'm excited too!
Great that you're connecting w others on Twitter. Wish I had that when I started. https://t.co/R3vK1A4lra
Hi everyone! I'm Danielle from OKC. I'm a first year teacher & I'm excited to be here!
Marc Hodgkinson, London, ON, Gr 5/6
I think is happening now?
A2: I have done a independent projects/studies with kids but not to the degree that Genius Hour seems to take the projects.
A2 I have no experience with genius hour but I do have lots of questions. I use inquiry based learning though.
welcome! Was in London for the back in may
It's happening right now! We just started!
I'm currently serving as principal for summer school where our focus is & passion projects & STEM education
A2: Tried for first time this year. Learned a lot. Some mis-steps. Generally positive.
Hi all!!! Amanda from Hoover! Sorry I'm late. Swim lessons. 🏊🏼
A1: This year was my first doing GH. It was amazing to see my Ss varying interests and passions. Can't wait for this year!
Hi Amanda! Welcome just started and sharing experiences with
Hi, Amanda! Another Hoover friend! :)
A2: I have little experience with . Loosely implemented a few hours ago. Want to make it work in 2nd grade, how?
A2: I don't have any experience with genius hour. I guess my question would be what would the first step be in implementing it?
A2 Been reading up on it a little. Would love to implement more inquiry, but not sure how with curriculum restraints
That's the best way to learn. Shows Ss how Ts are learning, taking risks, failing, & recovering.
Starting out in anything new has missteps. That's how we as teachers and kids learn best! :)
A2 A question I do have is about implementation, what would other's suggest in terms of starting?
I was there. Wonderful sessions. Implemented much. https://t.co/Gpmln5quUL
welcome! Was in London for the back in may
A2: I do not know a lot about genius hour. Just what I have seen on blogs and Pinterest.
A2: We did genius hour for the 1st time & we all 💗 it! It was the most motivational activity for my kids!
Dabbled in Genius Hour the past 2 years. Some Ss did great, other ok. Want to structure it & scaffold my Ss better.
Definitely the objective of genius hour - for Ss to control their learning. &
What an awesome idea for Summer School. I'd love to be part of that! https://t.co/gJOD2o94F6
I'm currently serving as principal for summer school where our focus is & passion projects & STEM education
A2: I want to see how others start genius hour in the lower elementary classroom.
I think I know enough to be dangerous. :) Dabble in it but may not be the best way to implement.
Another 3rd T joining the chat. Totally new to genius hour https://t.co/tMt7a7OFJM
Meghan, 3rd T from Andover, KS. Hope it is ok that I'm joining - love the topic!
See them as learnings and evidence of growth!
next question coming up in a minute!
Welcome! We love having 3rd grade teachers in our chats! :)
is an amazing resource! Her website helped me immensely with implementation this past year.
We started by looking at videos online of examples. Shared those with the S's to get them thinking. https://t.co/nOCyF4xGYN
A2: I don't have any experience with genius hour. I guess my question would be what would the first step be in implementing it?
1st step is shift pedagogical mindset. In my genius hour workshops, I always start w that. Move from T-centered to Ss
Curriculum connections seemed to naturally evidence themselves for us. Not a problem. https://t.co/UtUZuLyE9t
A2 Been reading up on it a little. Would love to implement more inquiry, but not sure how with curriculum restraints
Then discussion about what Ss want to discover, learn, ... Do on GH project yourself concurrently (model the process)
Amazing things happen when it is student centered. I found that out when I started pbl!
Thanks so much, I love this idea and I will order this book. SO great!@vickiemorgado1
You summed up my experiences and next steps perfectly. https://t.co/Kb3J9HwTYL
Dabbled in Genius Hour the past 2 years. Some Ss did great, other ok. Want to structure it & scaffold my Ss better.
I only know a little about but can see potential. Could this coincide with Makerspace (also new to me)
Agree! Involves giving up a lot of power and control in the classroom https://t.co/JbHvHxfLMV
1st step is shift pedagogical mindset. In my genius hour workshops, I always start w that. Move from T-centered to Ss
A3: I've done projects that are Ss centered, not really genius hour. Ss made leprechaun traps with research, trial and error.
there are resources out there to help Ss brainstorm. I give them a way to organize themselves & then they guide.
A3: Build boardgames, dollhouses & desk organizers. Made interactive slideshows on top tens (through research), Knitted a scarf/
Can you share some of your genius hour projects from last year?
.JulieBuda I did a little dabbling in Makerspace this spring and I bet it and genius hour would go together nicely
Would you say that this book's beneficial for lower grades? Some of the good ones aren't.
A2:Projects this year varied like: creation of robots to dance instruction video to what does it take to become a writer?
My students are not used to being the ones asking the questions. What can I do to prompt them in that way?
My genius hour project this summer is to continue writing games for Ss & Ts.
A3: We did anything the kids wanted to research which ranged anywhere from how Jolly rangers are made to the civil war. (1/2)
I love that you have a Genius Hour project too. :)
a2: For the Ss who was interested in learning to write she reached out to real writers like Peter Reynolds and they responded!
A3: projects took about a month, but the kids worked at their own pace. When they finished, we started new projects. (2/2)
Mine last year was how to use a green screen. :)
There's quite a few posts about it. Just linked one.
We practiced "pitch meetings" where they asked each other questions about their projects in small groups. https://t.co/PkodZHiRwl
My students are not used to being the ones asking the questions. What can I do to prompt them in that way?
I've only played one and loved it. I have started to dabble with Google Escape Rooms. https://t.co/LkzVkCgyN5
My genius hour project this summer is to continue writing games for Ss & Ts.
Yes! I used it for my class of third graders.
Definitely an important thing for Ts to do. Find our own passions, take risks, stretch ourselves.
Starting with "I wonder how or why..." helps mine to start down that path.
And they need to see that learning is for adults- we love learning.
My friend is a great person to connect w for green screen ideas, tips, & tricks - if you want more
I talked about in blog post. Ss need to know how to come up with questions, research first. Model one try
Next question coming up in a minute!
When did you introduce genius hour in your classroom? Did you wait until routines were in place?
Definitely for all learners - no matter the age, position, ...
Love games just starting playing around with this in late spring
Sounds like a wonderful part of your structure. Great for communication, persuasive, informative skills
Flew by the seat of our pants at first. Only rule was-independently work I would structure better nxt time https://t.co/7VEagc0ooY
When did you introduce genius hour in your classroom? Did you wait until routines were in place?
A3: how to train a dog, different ways to make paint, building a better dog wheelchair, how solar houses work, to name a few
I just looked at the questions coming up- we will be talking about that in a bit! :) I want to know that too!
It depends on your group. I started 2nd week of school one year.
Yes! Started later year after we worked on coming up with questions, researching synthesizing information. https://t.co/0lGJ2Y4ZuN
When did you introduce genius hour in your classroom? Did you wait until routines were in place?
Those of you who have tried , how often do you truly do it? Love the idea, worried that it would get pushed aside
A3: Fav project was a S learning about dogs as pets. She learned how to train them and made how to vids. & visited Humane Society.
A4: Let Ss decide how to share some with presentation, some made a prototype, some share via
A4: I would have some kind of big show for kids to share/display. Invite parents!
I can share more later. I'm on my mobile and it's not cooperating.
A3: Also had many Ss interesting in creating their own video game, never found a great platform for it. Some better than others.
A4: Haven't tried genius hour but in inquiry we have check ins to see how each S's are doing and what they have learned
I've taught 1st, 2nd, & 5th. Now a math & STEM instructional coach.
A4: We invited other classes to do a tour of our museum. Set up desks in an accessible way to encourage wandering
A4: I would imagine using apps that create ebooks, videos or make models, paper posters, or give a speech or demonstration
I LOVE the idea of a STEM instructional coach. It will be so fun!
Having an audience is huge! Gives Ss a motivational piece!
Do you have a "plan" for how that is done that you could share?
You are doing awesome especially if you are on a mobile!
A4: Ss let me know when finished. I check over their project. If ready, they present during our morning meeting.
A4. Could see using S'more to link student projects, work done on Wixie, Google, other shareable format
I find it important for the families to share in their Ss glory! Public speaking is a great life skill.
start with modelling and maybe running through a project as a class then pairs or small grps, then on own.
Excellent! Peer audience is very important.
Kids are proud of their hard work, it needs to be share outside our classroom walls.
Really like this idea! Great way to share learning! https://t.co/Wg4JK1QzZt
A4: We invited other classes to do a tour of our museum. Set up desks in an accessible way to encourage wandering
I love the idea of a museum. My Ss did that with "The Box Project". They wrote invitations to other classes and delivered them.
Definitely. Those are great edtech tools for sharing.
A4: Excited about using student profiles this year to showcase work!
I'll find a few pics to share. I have permission to put these on Social Media.
Could also use Blogs to share learning! https://t.co/oAokUN7F98
Having an audience is huge! Gives Ss a motivational piece!
Hi Julie! One hour a week, each week. Talking to a T the other day, she said 1 project per qtr.
yes, kids needs opportunities to speak to others and present. Great skill
I agree. Good shout out to on tonight. https://t.co/BBdqG37Drl
A4: Excited about using student profiles this year to showcase work!
Blogs are GREAT for sharing!
A4: I love the idea of a museum. My Ss could choose how they wanted to present. Many of them chose to use Sway or Powerpoint.
Next question coming up in a minute!
Key is having audience for the blogs. I used but Ss stopped bc audience wasn't there
What do you use? I used to use kidblog but I think they charge now.
A4 At my school K-1 is using SeeSaw on iPads. New to me but sounds like a way to share work.
You have to make time for it! I'm going to incorporate it into centers this year, & initially set aside time to help.
A4: If projects are digital, I have a class blog in which I post projects. Ss, Ps can look any time. Also, have Ss present to class.
Thanks Cheryl! That definitely could work! https://t.co/INBqkEnZ1k
Hi Julie! One hour a week, each week. Talking to a T the other day, she said 1 project per qtr.
A5: I love the app and the for creating presentations, videos or books. I love Google Slides too!
Just learned that you can use on computers. That's one of my goals this year, digital portfolio.
What did kids blog about? What audience do you find with blog?
They do charge but it's about $30 for the whole year with unlimited storage space.
A5: Created this trying to implement more inquiry with curriculum. Does it follow the basis for GH? https://t.co/F447IlVmHr
A5: Chromebook access ... everything else should be BYOSupplies - except obvious things. Maybe a good class glue gun *safety first
Blogged about their process w projects. Planning, process, learning, ... Get peer audience is IMPT
And I mean peers beyond your own class to be audience for blogs.
A5: Show Ss easy presentation tools! Google Slides, , , and are favs. Ss also love creating an actual product.
Are parents on board with this? I fear that would be a challenge.
yes they do charge. There is also Easy Blog which is free currenlty
This was created in genius hour?
I think they will see it as a research project but deeper. I think they'll love it.
I love - oddly, only a few kids bought in - result were fantastic though. I'll check others. https://t.co/fCo0cVSdeN
A5: Show Ss easy presentation tools! Google Slides, , , and are favs. Ss also love creating an actual product.
Are principals on board with it?
Genius hour projects are a great way to bring innovation into the classroom and engage kids. Love these ideas.
You beat me to it! That was my next question!
If you post the projects on a class blog, you can use blogger- free.
I think this is important! Blog help to record process and reflection which is paramount with learning! https://t.co/n1rsZBfgpG
Blogged about their process w projects. Planning, process, learning, ... Get peer audience is IMPT
What did Terry think about it?
I send home a letter to start which I based on what I read in book. was well received! https://t.co/wHzltXvDV1
Are parents on board with this? I fear that would be a challenge.
Thanks! I like that it doesn't give away any information about Ss.
A5: This is an answer I am looking for- other than digital resources.
I do find mine need a little scaffolding to help them reflect on what they are learning. But it is so important.
Yes careful with that and privacy issues. I work that into my lesson at the start of the year with Ss https://t.co/hEdQyWEbqL
Thanks! I like that it doesn't give away any information about Ss.
It works great if grade level teams do it together so peer audience is built in
So how do you go about Ss coming ideas like that instead of "I want to learn about dolphins". Just "create"?
was the guide my colleague used. We bounced back & forth between ideas of & https://t.co/hM5xxV4u6a
I send home a letter to start which I based on what I read in book. was well received! https://t.co/wHzltXvDV1
Are parents on board with this? I fear that would be a challenge.
I would start with lessons on coming up with questions with Ss teaching them how to write rich questions. https://t.co/DedJ0pa192
So how do you go about Ss coming ideas like that instead of "I want to learn about dolphins". Just "create"?
next question coming up in a minute! this chat is on fire!
Yes! Definitely Unfortunately, it wasn't as powerful when I was in classroom https://t.co/0V6m4yzWpL
If you use , it has a blog feature! Put projects on Seesaw!
They had to pitch me and the class and answer questions about time/supplies/utility etc. https://t.co/ADmIXZO53C
So how do you go about Ss coming ideas like that instead of "I want to learn about dolphins". Just "create"?
I plan to use a journal. Speaking w/a MakeSpace guru on Monday, he said he uses journals for planning.
I had parents volunteer to comment for a month at a time. It helped!
OK, so come up w/a plan for something about time/supplies/utility? Sorry, trying to wrap my head around true concept.
I used Google Docs via Google Classroom to follow their updates. I had to provide writing time. Added pics https://t.co/7EUsS4Tsth
I plan to use a journal. Speaking w/a MakeSpace guru on Monday, he said he uses journals for planning.
Agree! It makes the overall experience much more rich! Many times Ss are so young & new at it at this age! https://t.co/t19cJgTOy1
Spending time on thinking of rich questions takes a lot of practise and patience but it is well worth it #2ndchat
I'll DM my email. Drop me a line and I'll quickly type up the steps we used. Not perfect - but okay. https://t.co/tDhuhDjuME
OK, so come up w/a plan for something about time/supplies/utility? Sorry, trying to wrap my head around true concept.
Sometimes S's have never been asked what they are interested in so modelling and working through it together is impt
I started it last year and it really helped.
A6: Ss are going to struggle, but it is part of the process. It's hard, but let go and let them drive their learning.
Any good resources for teaching good questioning? I think that's the hardest part sometimes.
A6: Also do mini lessons on research skills! Find ways to expose them to different creation tools.
I agree let me think about that one a bit more!
A6: So give us a run down. How long does it take you to set up Genius Hour? How do you get them to get to good ?s
There is a lot I would do differently. I'll try to share what I will do based on what I did. https://t.co/KZH8had8um
letting go an watching Ss struggle is a beautiful thing, this is when the magic happens.
Part of our brainstorming process is to think of keywords and search terms. Could incorporate w/ ?s.
Time depends on class and Ss. I did mine near the end year so we did every day. I like to start mine near end of year!
a6: My advice is run them how they work for you. Think about where your Ss are at. Maybe start by modelling one set together
How close to the end of the year? 2nd graders need more time. :)
thanks Carol, read the feed and wanted to join in
wanted to start in January ended up being May! 2nd graders need a lot more time!
If you start them and realize you need to go back and do some teaching do it! It is a teachable moment with Ss
A6: If you start , teach them research skills! We did lessons in google and with the Alabama Virtual Library.
We end school in May so yes, they will need a lot more time! :)
How many days a week do you do genius hour? How long each session?
okay maybe start in March :) We end in late June!
Research skills are so important!There are so many good resources for kids now but they need to be taught how.
It didn't take long at all! Karen did a lesson for me on AVL and we started. It just takes the kids practicing.
a6: Expect things to be loud sometimes! and Messy!
She did that with us too when we started our magazine article research. :)
great advise, see the benefit of in schools learning about what Ss want to know
Two more questions! Next one is coming up in a minute!
I did it every day for about 20 minutes at the end of the day.
Kids love to have a voice in what they learn and they should!
I like the idea of doing it for 20 min. daily.
Do you think an hour a week allows for flow and continuity?
I've heard of tchrs doing it lots of ways. 1 hr, 1 day a wk or 20-30 min each day. Some have it as a center.
a7: one of challenges is meeting curriculum expectations and doing in Ontario.
That was my initial plan. I think so. I ended up doing it every day as the end of the year was approaching
A7:Managing all the different presentations.We had discussed splitting up presentation types w/ teachers. (1/2)
A7: I found that inquiry teaching actually enriched the curriculum so I would think genius hour would do the same
A6: Books that T in recent edcamp rec. for 4 C's, great for beg. process of G. Hour. Spent 2 wks on each C. https://t.co/teBEeIfdB5
A7: Each teacher would take a presentation type at our grade level and teach a group of interested kids how to use it. (2/2)
My students craved that 20 to 30 minutes a day. I was in trouble if we had to skip it. :)
I like the 1 hr each week, makes it more special. Daily seems more as PBL- but could be one in the same.
Yes, I love I read her blog about Genius Hour too. Love the honesty!
also like to conference with Ss throughout process to give feedback
I think it could change as needed. Some projects need more than 20 minutes at a time too!
A8: I didn't assess, but comment on ways to improve presentations or have them summarize what their research was saying.
I shared a few pics earlier in this thread. I can type out basics of what we tried. It was our first time. https://t.co/PzAvBsgfb0
I would love to see what you did in your classroom with Genius Hour!
