Just the beginning
Wow! What a journey this has been. Six weeks ago, I sat at my very first class and
was given the task of this Genius Hour project. It felt overwhelming but exciting from
the start! This project has stretched me, at the same time that it has made me grow
in my passions and knowledge. I learned so much from spending an hour every week
focusing on something that I wanted to learn more about. Something I am passionate
about. Something that would impact me and my family. Something that will stick with
me forever.
This journey to answering a seemingly simple question "How we as parents can better connect with our children" has absolutely led to a deeper relationships with my son...and it's only been 6 weeks! I am excited to continue to be intentional with the time that I have with him, continue to use the product I created (the "Connect Today" conversation starter cards linked above), and when those run out, continue to make more questions, activities, and time in order to continue this lifelong journey of getting to know my son.
This project also taught me a lot about myself. It taught me that if I have a passion or a
question that I want answered, I am capable of finding the answers. It also taught me that
technology is so cool! (I had never made videos like that before.) The Genius Hour project
is a tangible and realistic way to focus on the things people are passionate about. It is a way
to continue to grow, become more educated on a specific topic, and make change.
This project has inspired me to incorporate passion projects into my future teaching as a way
to show and encourage students that they can take responsibility for some of their learning.
Choosing a question that they are passionate about, spending time each week, and participating
in self-directed learning, I believe (based on my experience in this class) will be an amazing
opportunity for students to get excited about learning and really prove to themselves how much
they are capable of.
Thanks for following along and giving me the opportunity to share my Genius Hour journey.
- Kirstin -
