I decided this year that I'd share 10 books I'll use to kick off Genius Hour. I want my kids to understand what Genius Hour can be and each of these books give a message I want them to carry into Genius Hour. I doubt I'll really get through all of these books early in the year but these ten will start conversations that will help us have a vision for what Genius Hour can be. Whether you do Genius Hour or not, they all have a great message about learning.
The Most Magnificent Thing
- I reviewed this one here in May. It's a fabulous story of a girl with perseverance and grit. She works through her obstacles to create something magnificent.
- I reviewed this one here in May. It's a fabulous story of a girl with perseverance and grit. She works through her obstacles to create something magnificent.
Going Places
by Peter Reynolds is a great story about thinking outside of the box and how thinking together is often better than thinking alone! I like the collaboration theme in this one.
by Peter Reynolds is a great story about thinking outside of the box and how thinking together is often better than thinking alone! I like the collaboration theme in this one.
Someday
by Eileen Spinelli is a great book that invites conversation around working toward goals, trying new things, etc.
by Eileen Spinelli is a great book that invites conversation around working toward goals, trying new things, etc.
The OK Book
is a simple book that reminds us that it is okay to not be great at everything--to try things and to just have fun with giving things a try, learning, and having fun.
is a simple book that reminds us that it is okay to not be great at everything--to try things and to just have fun with giving things a try, learning, and having fun.
Rosie Revere, Engineer
is a fun book about mistakes, not quitting and finding joy in the journey of discovery.
is a fun book about mistakes, not quitting and finding joy in the journey of discovery.
Bella & Bean
is one of my favorites. I love that it is the story of two friends and that one has a passion for poetry. Letting friends explore their passions and celebrating those with them is something I hope this book invites conversation around.
is one of my favorites. I love that it is the story of two friends and that one has a passion for poetry. Letting friends explore their passions and celebrating those with them is something I hope this book invites conversation around.
Beautiful Oops!
is a fun colorful picture book that reminds us that some of our best ideas come from mistakes!
is a fun colorful picture book that reminds us that some of our best ideas come from mistakes!
Imagine a Day (Byron Preiss Book)
will invite conversations about imagining a perfect day at school. What would that mean for you? I want them to know they have ownership of their learning time.
will invite conversations about imagining a perfect day at school. What would that mean for you? I want them to know they have ownership of their learning time.
In Rupert Can Dance
, Rupert keeps his love of dancing a secret for a while. We'll use this to talk about those things you always wanted to learn about or try.
, Rupert keeps his love of dancing a secret for a while. We'll use this to talk about those things you always wanted to learn about or try.
Mr. Tiger Goes Wild (Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards (Awards))
will remind us that it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
will remind us that it's okay to step out of your comfort zone and try something new.
I think it's a really bad sign that I have read three posts, yours, Mary Lee's, and Mandy's and I already have a list of 20 books I NEED to buy! What important books for the beginning of the school year!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great organizing theme! Some of these are new to me and I can't wait to read them!
ReplyDeleteThey all look sooooooooooo good!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to start the projects again this year. These are great tittles to help set up the mood. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteLove, love, love the theme of Genius Hour! My students are obsessively passionate about Genius Hour and incorporating read alouds around GH will just be icing on the cake! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteIt's a great idea to share books about ideas, and how they can grow if you only let them, Franki. I love The Most Magnificent Thing and Beautiful Oops-now to look for all the others!
ReplyDeleteGreat focus and great book list! Will definitely be checking out the ones that are new to me - especially "Going Places," as I always start the year with a collaborative geography game that is all about teamwork. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteLove the theme and the books. Rosie Revere is one we need to check out. Thanks
ReplyDeleteGreat idea using books to introduce the concept of Genius Hour.
ReplyDeleteFor those teachers like myself, who could take a full hour per week, I modified it into Genius Time, using 20 minute segments each day.
www.commonsenseeducator.blogspot.com
These all look so good! Thanks for sharing, I will be purchasing these for my own collection.
ReplyDeleteAllie
http://thepositiveteacher.blogspot.com
Great list to promote Genius Hour! Someday is an all time favorite of mine. Need to check out Bella & Bean! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThis afternoon I gutted my teacher desk to have a Maker space for the kiddos in my classroom. Thanks for the recommendations as I make this shift!
ReplyDeleteI found quite a few new to me books here. Love when that happens. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteFranki,
ReplyDeleteThis idea is - well - genius! You have so many great titles here for getting kids comfortable with trying new things and taking risks. There are a few here that are new to me. I'm off to request them from the library.
Cathy
Great idea for a list! I have Beautiful Oops and The Most Magnificent Thing on mine. I'm putting Going Places on my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteLove books that remind us that we don't have to be perfect at things and that it is okay to make mistakes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for joining us again this year! I love the theme of your list and need to check out about half of them. Someday is a favorite of mine.
ReplyDeleteWhat is Genius Hour? Do you have a post where I could learn more?
ReplyDeleteI have just one more to add to your awesome list..."What Do You Do with An Idea?"
ReplyDeleteI love that you put Someday on this list. I think this title is an ideal book to share in the classroom. Wonderful collection of titles.
ReplyDeleteI am so thankful for this list... great ideas! Can't wait to use some for my 6th graders as they experience Genius Hour!
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great list of books for Genius Hour. So many kids will find themselves in these books. There are many that I will add to my library requests.
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