Scott Stimmel and I were comparing our first Genius Hour sessions. Both of us have 7th grade homerooms. We had totally different experiences -- his students stared silently at him; mine did not. It is my belief that my group benefitted from the rainout of the 7th grade party.
Due to the rainout, I spent about 40 unexpected minutes with my homeroom. We played a game called Silent Auction which I would be happy to teach any of you. It involves a lot of movement, communication, and sometimes deception. There is no talking, but a lot of laughter. By the end of the game, we had totally changed our classroom dynamic. Students were open to participation and trying things in a new way.
So, before you even begin Genius Hour, I recommend doing some kind of activity that builds a trusting, fun community.
No comments:
Post a Comment