Genius Hour
Social Studies courses assess a student’s ability to determine causation, continuity and change over time, determine characteristics of a certain historical period, find a comparison between historical events and periods, put historical events in the context of the period in which they occurred, formulate a historical argument based on evidence, analyze different historical interpretations, and make connections across time periods to reveal how certain events reveal the nature of future events. All of these skills will be used and assessed in this research project.
So what is a Genius Hour Project?
Genius Hour Project
Students will be allowed to choose a specific topic of their choice in World History and complete an argumentative research project that is composed of three parts: research paper, product, and a presentation. The research paper will be based off of a student formulated historical question that will guide the student’s inquiry throughout the project. The product will reflect what the student learned about their particular topic. The presentation will give the student the opportunity to share what they learned about their topic and their product with others.
The project is called “Genius Hour” because it will take place over the course of the semester during a teacher selected one-hour period every week. This “Genius Hour” time will vary from week to week. It is the expectation that 90% of the work on this project will be completed during this time in class. Resources during this time will be available on the basis of the project. Some “Genius Hour” periods will be spent in the classroom, some in the computer lab, and some in the school library. If a student misses a “Genius Hour” class period they may be required to make up the time during a HOT Lunch tutorial.
The project is called “Genius Hour” because it will take place over the course of the semester during a teacher selected one-hour period every week. This “Genius Hour” time will vary from week to week. It is the expectation that 90% of the work on this project will be completed during this time in class. Resources during this time will be available on the basis of the project. Some “Genius Hour” periods will be spent in the classroom, some in the computer lab, and some in the school library. If a student misses a “Genius Hour” class period they may be required to make up the time during a HOT Lunch tutorial.
Potential Topics
Prehistory: Paleolithic Era, Neolithic Era
Early Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Rome, Greece
World Religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.
The Dark Ages (Middle Ages): Europe and Asia
African Civilizations
Pre-European Civilizations in North America: Mayans and Incas
The Renaissance
The Age of Exploration
Protestant Reformation
Absolutism
Colonialism
Enlightenment
Revolutions: Haitian Revolution, French Revolution
World War I
Between the World Wars
World War II
The Cold War
Post War World: Mohandas Gandhi, Israeli Palestinian Conflict, NATO, NAFTA, Global Economy.
Sub Topics: Technology, Politics, Trade and Economy, War and Military, Society and Culture, Education, Migration, Law and Justice, Agriculture and the Environment, etc.
Students may choose another World History topic of their choice with teacher approval.
Early Civilizations: Mesopotamia, Egypt, China, India, Rome, Greece
World Religions: Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, etc.
The Dark Ages (Middle Ages): Europe and Asia
African Civilizations
Pre-European Civilizations in North America: Mayans and Incas
The Renaissance
The Age of Exploration
Protestant Reformation
Absolutism
Colonialism
Enlightenment
Revolutions: Haitian Revolution, French Revolution
World War I
Between the World Wars
World War II
The Cold War
Post War World: Mohandas Gandhi, Israeli Palestinian Conflict, NATO, NAFTA, Global Economy.
Sub Topics: Technology, Politics, Trade and Economy, War and Military, Society and Culture, Education, Migration, Law and Justice, Agriculture and the Environment, etc.
Students may choose another World History topic of their choice with teacher approval.
Due Dates
- Genius Hour Project Proposal due Friday February 23 (Week 4).
- Check In #1 (at least ½ of required sources in an annotated bibliography, research notes, and thesis statement rough draft) due Friday March 16 (Week 8)
- Check In #2 (at least ¾ of required sources in an annotated bibliography, research notes, and essay outline) due Friday April 16 (Week 12)
- Check In #3 (rough draft) due Friday April 27 (Week 14)
- Research paper, product, and presentation due Friday May 25 (Week 17)
- Research Symposium on Friday May 25 (Week 17)
Project Materials |
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