• Reflect on at least three benefits of Genius Hour or 20% Time.

1. Genius Hour is an excellent way to use inquiry-based classroom learning. It helps students to have choice in learning. Students apply their learning to their ideas in order to create a product or project. They learn to discuss their ideas, why they want to use their particular idea, and how they will create it into a project. They learn how to document, research, and present. They also learn how to comment on peers’ ideas and projects (Juliani, n.d.)..

2. Genius Hour closely relates to a myriad of standards for various subjects such as: ELA standards for reading and writing (Ex: researching for inquiry, application, analyzation, presenting, writing, evaluating, and creating) and math standards for critiquing reasoning, creating arguments that are viable, and mathematic modeling. Being able to connect Genius Hour to standards will help teachers to assess learning and promote Genius Hour to stakeholders (parents, administrators, and even colleagues) (Juliani, n.d.).

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3. It is easy to find time to fit Genius Hour into your curriculum because you do not have to start off with using 20% of classroom time. You can implement a small project to see the time it takes for students to do it and then adjust your plan for implementing Genius Hour from there. There is no one particular formula for implementing time into your curriculum. Some teachers do multiweek projects, an Innovation Day, or short projects during one class period per week. Teachers have worked Genius Hour into science, social studies, and reading workshops during ELA time. How you want to do it is totally up to you (Juliani, n.d.).

• Identify at least two potential hurdles or obstacles (curricular and/or stakeholder) and how you may address them.

1. One potential hurdle would be that students may not want to do this type of project. Students could be scared to do learning that is inquiry-based. On the teacher end, it could be tough to manage students who are doing nothing with the free time that is supposed to be used for Genius Hour. Teachers should have conversations with students about their life and interests. This will help the student to connect their passions to something they might want to work on for the project. The teacher can ask the student for their help. Lastly, the teacher can help the student find a new learning purpose (Juliani, n.d.).

2. Another potential hurdle could be administrators or parents not being on board with the time Genius Hour could take away from curriculum material. Some potential ways to get around this obstacle would be to send a letter to the parents or administrators with details about what you will be doing for Genius Hour. Teachers should be inviting and offer to have stakeholders visit the classroom to experience what Genius Hour is all about. Teachers should have students post updates on blogs so that stakeholders can see their progress. Lastly, stakeholders should be invited to watch student presentations of their final products or at least have videos of presentations to show stakeholders (Juliani, n.d.).

Juliani, A.J. (n.d.). The 10 Most Asked Questions About Genius Hour and 20% Time Projects. Retrieved on 3 July 2021. http://ajjuliani.com/the-10-most-asked-questions-about-genius-hour-and-20-time-projects/