Francee Biondi has just completed her17th year as an educator, all of those years with St. Patrick School in Malvern. Francee currently teaches 2nd grade. She is ISTE certified and has been recognized by the AOP as an Ed Tech Influencer and Social Media Ambassador. Francee’s main goals for her students are to create independence, responsibility, and a love for learning. When she is not teaching, Francee spends time with her two children, loves Philly sports, and can often be found with a good book in her hands and dog on her lap.
Session description
Genius Hour, 20% Time, Your Power Hour and Passion Time are different names for the same student-driven learning. Learn how to guide students as they dive into their passions and become experts in topics that excite them. Explore how students can develop autonomy, purpose and mastery in your classroom.
Grade level: PK-12
Skill level: Beginner
Purpose & objective
Participants will be introduced to the idea of Genius Hour and how it allows students to direct their own learning by pursuing Passion Projects. Participants will have an overview of how to introduce this Passion Project concept to their students, and even the families of their students. Participants will appreciate the value of Genius Hour and the impact of allowing students to create projects that show off their individual strengths and abilities. Participants will be given access to materials for planning through a provided link. Participants will also meet elementary students who can share their experiences, their projects, and their take-a-ways of the Genius Hour Program.
#1. Introduction, Peer to Peer: What is Genius Hour and Why is it so Valuable? (10 minutes) #2. Student Interaction (students share in person, as well as project samples brought from the classroom) (20 minutes) #3. Share a digitized outline/lesson plan for implementation (10 minutes) #4. Provide links to resources (5 minutes)
Smartphone: Android, iOS, Windows Laptop: Chromebook, Mac, PC Tablet: iOS, Windows, Android
Participant accounts, software and other materials:
QR Code Scanner
Subject area:
Language arts
ISTE Standards:
For Students: Knowledge Constructor
Students plan and employ effective research strategies to locate information and other resources for their intellectual or creative pursuits.
Students evaluate the accuracy, perspective, credibility and relevance of information, media, data or other resources.
Students curate information from digital resources using a variety of tools and methods to create collections of artifacts that demonstrate meaningful connections or conclusions.
Participate and share : Poster
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