tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post8631700227032641312..comments2023-07-31T06:21:43.795-04:00Comments on The Noisy Room Down the Hall: Genius!Amy Reverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04126574465803755406noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post-45166622187340283332017-08-24T19:54:45.167-04:002017-08-24T19:54:45.167-04:00Band meets every day for us. We did Genius Hour se...Band meets every day for us. We did Genius Hour several days a week but usually it would be done an hour per week or once per day (if you had the same kids all day). Since it was during the end of the school year, there wasn't much else to do and the kids were pretty engaged. <br /><br />Students got five minutes for presentations. I figured out how many presentations there would be (groups or individuals) and set aside days so that everyone would get their time.<br /><br />If students completed all portions of the project (blog, reach out to mentor, share learning, self evaluate), they all earned an A and it was on their report cards.<br /><br />Thanks for reading and please let me know if I can help further!Amy Reverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04126574465803755406noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post-45898623451374518962017-08-23T16:59:09.866-04:002017-08-23T16:59:09.866-04:00I'm very curious about a couple of things...
...I'm very curious about a couple of things...<br /><br />I teach music twice a week... do you teach it every day in a week? I feel if I taught it to the same kids every day it would be a lot easier.<br /><br />How much time do you give for presentations? I ask because I generally have 5 classes of each grade with 30 kids each.<br /><br />Did you grade the end result in time for it to go on their report cards? Did you put it on their report cards at all?<br /><br />Thank you!Dark Illusionshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13698694579487178748noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post-32806039586885797572016-04-26T06:29:27.486-04:002016-04-26T06:29:27.486-04:00Hi, Amy!
The fact that you're asking about suc...Hi, Amy!<br />The fact that you're asking about such large size classes makes me know that you're willing to give this a shot. Just having the right mindset will be helpful! Kudos on only 3 in a group, as well.<br />Here are some resources for you...<br />Should you get access to Blogger (it comes with your GAFE tools, if you have it at your school), here are Blogger tips I share with my 7th graders: http://scholarsrm239.weebly.com/blogger-tips.html<br />I like the spreadsheet idea for kids to look at other kids' projects. Be sure to put their idea on the sheet, too, so others from outside school can help comment on their blogs. I love Blogger, as I can put my students' blogs into Feedly - and I check Feedly once a day to see who posted recently. That way I don't have to click on each student's name every week. Such a time saver!!<br />I am not a fan of slides, either, so I showed my students this picture: http://www.fortheteachers.org/creative-ways-to-show-what-you-know/ and then had them brainstorm with each other what might be best for their own project (yes, some seem silly, but it got them thinking). For those that are still doing slides, I have parameters. I would think many of your students will be playing original pieces??<br /><br />I'm so excited for you to start this project! I don't think you should worry about the size of the classes. You will have some students who aren't that interested - in ANYthing - at the end of the year. Consider your success rate with other activities you try at the end of the year. Set a goal for yourself for engagement. If you see it slipping below that rate, crank up the importance of learning how to learn for those that aren't progressing like they could. You'll always have a couple, just like you'll always have a couple of adults who aren't engaged in what they're doing, as well. <br /><br />Sorry this comment is so long! Enjoy the journey, write your own blog post reflections along with the kids, and learn a TON! ;DJoy Kirrhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08883167887036480979noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post-65280000847800879092016-04-24T11:13:31.977-04:002016-04-24T11:13:31.977-04:00Thanks so much for the feedback! I like your idea ...Thanks so much for the feedback! I like your idea of allowing PP, but giving certain guidelines if they choose to use it. That's probably a better way to go than a wholesale ban. Amy Reverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06292867516999405008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8761398869260287675.post-50212850359856949662016-04-24T09:17:42.174-04:002016-04-24T09:17:42.174-04:00I'm no genius-hour expert, but I see a lot of ...I'm no genius-hour expert, but I see a lot of awesome structures and opportunities here, Amy. Bravo to you for giving this a go!<br /><br />One bit jumped out to me, about presentations and PowerPoint. I'm hesitant to ban any tool outright, but I can imagine your thinking in this case: dreadful habits or misapplication when it comes to slide design and use. Rather than axe that media, what about stacking the deck more in its favor by including precise menu offerings like pecha kucha- or Ignite-style slideshows? I've tried tossing out other random slide constraints to students, too (e.g., <10 words per slide)<br /><br />All the best as you and your students give this a go.Brian Rozinskyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09048331327558931283noreply@blogger.com