We had researched thoroughly what was needed for each project - I told them to leave NOTHING out. So...some included needing water for their gardening GH project. :) I DID say EVERYTHING, did I not?! So after a little rewriting (we mastered SO MANY writing standards in this 2 week time period, people!!!!), we had letters were ready to go. I have a few students who still struggle with legible handwriting, and a few students with spcial needs who needed to copy their letter after dictating it to me, but I was able to put adorable letters, handwritten in the businesses hands. You can't tell me THIS can't help!
I made this last one a bit bigger, because I want to make a point. Don't discourage any idea. Find a way to make it work! At first my thought was, "Ugh! How am I supposed to do this?" Then my little guy's dad came to me, just as excited. He said he could bring in the welder. My heart melted, and I thought, "How can I stop anyone from learning what they are passionate about?" It's not my decision WHAT they want to learn about. I am the faciliator. I help them find materials and resources. I couldn't find a book locally, so we ordered a book on welding for children. I am getting in contact with Hutchinson Manufacturing, to see if they have someone who can show my student what can be done with welding beyond the basic welds (they do some amazing projects, including very cool art). I will coordinate with the high school welding program to actually do a welding project. Fortuanately, I have a student teacher, so I will be able to go with my student. I will Periscope the event, which he can then add to his Seesaw presentation.
I have two boys who are researching football. I know a guy who knows a guy.... - I have no DOUBT we will be Skyping with a MN Vikings player for them!!! :)
My student teacher is learning SO MUCH! Connections, people, connections!!!! Call in your favors (believe it or not, your contacts get just as much enjoyment out of helping!!), utilize your PLN on social media, phone a friend. I plan to use Periscope as many of them as I can, so my students can add them to their Seesaw presentations.
Here's what I learned about Genius Hour and donations from local businesses yesterday:
1. Target and Walmart are very receptive to donating, and will most likely help us out via a gift card. They have a meeting on the first of each month and decide who to donate to each month. If you are looking at a project in which you need a timeline, keep this in mind. They have a simple form (you need to know your Federal Tax ID number for Target's form) for you to complete.
2. Jo-Ann Fabrics and Menards will also most likely donate, but their process is a little more involved. I have to fill out a little more paperwork. Menard's application gets mailed off to Wisconsin. I'll update you on the timeline. I was hoping the inside connection with my student's Grandma Patty working at Menards might help. ;) We'll see.
3. I keep my families informed on all we are doing, and will go to them for donations for what we don't get from the community. My wish was to bring Genius Hour to life within the community and get people talking about all the great things our school is doing. If we are doing great things and don't share what we are doing, the community doesn't know, right? I don't want the glory as a teacher, I want the kids to have the praise. It's pretty cool to be doing research projects in first grade, right? We will be sharing GLOBALLY when we are done! We have a classroom blog site (we'll use Shadow Puppet and Seesaw to present, and Seesaw is our Blog) and we have a classroom Twitter account. Our projects will be shared there, as well as with our families and classmates.
4. We are learning as we go! If you are just starting Genius Hour, or whatever name you give it, jump in!! I've seen so many versions out there, and all are fabulous!! I'm excited to see my students writing drafts, rewriting with corrections (and not even complaining about it) and pumped about making presentations. My students used to STRONGLY dislike getting up and presenting any learning in front of others. Now, they can't WAIT to share! They do their best work (or try their best) and are anxious for Genius Hour day to come!
Here are a couple of references for you to get started researching projects!
What is Genius Hour?
Genius Hour Blog
Kiddle - Safe Intermet Search
https://diy.org/
http://www.instructables.com/
Seesaw
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