Genius Hour
Unlock your child's potential with our innovative program! By focusing on individualized projects centered around their unique interests, we inspire self-driven learning, nurture creativity, and teach valuable project management techniques
Barbara Sheridan - Nature School Teacher M.Ed
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(36)
What's included
8 live meetings
8 in-class hoursHomework
1 hour per week. In collaboration with their instructor, every session, students will set and pursue learning goals beyond the classroom to create their final project.Assessment
Empowered learners will collaborate with their teacher to set meaningful goals, and track their progress through regular self-assessments. The culmination of their journey will be a final self assessment presentation showcasing their growth and accomplishments.Class Experience
US Grade 5 - 8
Beginner - Advanced Level
Empower your learner to unleash their potential with Genius Hour, a transformative approach inspired by Google's 20% time policy that fostered innovation and led to the creation of groundbreaking apps like Gmail and Google Maps. Inspiring students to take action on their ideas, we provide guidance on developing a project that they spend at least an hour each week working on. As they see their project come to life, students will also acquire vital Project Management and Scientific Investigation abilities. The teacher serves as an inspiring mentor, providing supportive coaching and drawing upon. Drawing from her extensive background in mentoring passionate learners and fueled by her personal pursuit of sustainability, teaching, and forest school, the teacher ignites a sense of optimism in her students. Students select their topic and work with the teacher to determine goals, track progress, and create their final project. Format - Empowering Check-ins: In a 10-15 minute check-in, students share their challenge progression and completed milestones with their teacher. Afterward, they engage in collaboration or goal completion, fostering an uplifting environment that encourages growth. Empowering students to reach their full potential, this class is designed with check-ins and goal setting. If we don't have a full class, parents can choose for the learner to keep the current structure or stay for an independent study hall. Image from Unsplash Nong Vang
Learning Goals
Learning Goals will be set by students in collaboration with the teacher. Overall students will learn project management skills and Scientific Investigation techniques using Open Inquiry and Project Based Learning techniques. Students will be able to finish one project per course depending on work done outside of class, complexity of the project and what the final project display will be. Students wishing to refine their ideas, go more in depth in the project or would like to focus on doing the project during mostly in class collaboration periods are free to take this course as many times as they wish to project completion. The second course would focus on refining the project and giving more time and resources to complete the project.
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Exploring the topic
We will explore topics and talk about resources the students can draw from. Goal: Deciding Your Passion 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 2:
Exploring the topic
The second week will be a "looking in" on specific area student is interested in to make the best decision. Goal: Deciding Your Passion 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 3:
Start framework for project
Students talk about what they learned and what topic they would like to pursue. Goals: Find resources, start project. 60 mins online live lesson
Lesson 4:
Resources and Goal Setting
Teacher and students talk about resources to help them pursue their goals. Goal: Students set specific learning goals and decide final project display. 60 mins online live lesson
Other Details
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Joined March, 2020
4.9
36reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
Master's Degree in Education from Cape Breton University
I am Barbara, founder of a transformative Forest and natural learning school since 2012, offering personalized inquiry and project-based experiences in person and online, with a masters in education focused on sustainable learning.
My approach focuses on facilitating experiences that foster critical thinking, creativity, problem solving skills for diverse age groups within both physical (Forest) as well virtual environments., while emphasizing teamwork between students who come from different walks life. Reviews
Live Group Course
$159
for 8 classes1x per week, 8 weeks
60 min
Completed by 9 learners
Live video meetings
Ages: 9-13
2-5 learners per class
