Eighth grade is beginning a fantastic year-long project called Genius Hour. Students get to pick a topic--any topic--they find intriguing and interesting, or feel passionately about. We've worked with language arts teachers to implement a research process called eWISE, which is being used by all Wake County Schools.
Students will develop some solid researching skills, such as choosing a topic, developing essential questions, locating good resources and evaluating them to be sure you're getting the best information out there, organizing that information, creating a great presentation, and citing sources. These skills can be used throughout school, for any topic or subject. We're creating short videos to help students implement the steps in the process, and you can see them here. Learn more about the eWISE model here (scroll down on the page).
The best thing about Genius Hour is that it engages the students through critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.
Watch this short video about Genius Hour, and then ask your 8th grader about it. You'll be amazed at the high level of thinking that is going on, and the passion and engagement of the students.
Students will develop some solid researching skills, such as choosing a topic, developing essential questions, locating good resources and evaluating them to be sure you're getting the best information out there, organizing that information, creating a great presentation, and citing sources. These skills can be used throughout school, for any topic or subject. We're creating short videos to help students implement the steps in the process, and you can see them here. Learn more about the eWISE model here (scroll down on the page).
The best thing about Genius Hour is that it engages the students through critical thinking and inquiry-based learning.
Watch this short video about Genius Hour, and then ask your 8th grader about it. You'll be amazed at the high level of thinking that is going on, and the passion and engagement of the students.