Genius Hour

Genius Hour: American Sign Language

My professor asked us to explore a learning concept called Genius Hour. My students have done this in 3rd grade but I haven’t explored it with them this year. The concept is that you have an hour to learn about anything that interests you and then you share out what you’ve learned. Students typically love it because they learn about anything they want to and share out how they want to.

Background

For my assignment I wanted to learn about American sign language. I became interested in ASL while teaching summer school. I worked with a group of amazing hearing impaired students and their awesome teachers. I learned a few signs and they taught me that everyone deserves quality teachers who invest in them. They also taught me that children with hearing disabilities also need loving families. 2% of all children in the foster care system in the United States have a disability. That doesn't seem like a lot but it equates to more than 4,500 children a year. It also is important to note that those children spend a longer time waiting to be placed into foster homes and are less likely to be adopted. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, www.acf.hhs.gov/cb Preliminary Estimates for FY 2016 as of Oct 20, 2017 (24), Page 6)

American Sign Language (ASL)

I started searching how to learn ASL using Google. I came across the Start ASL website. They have a ton of FREE lessons and resources for you to self teach. I printed the free workbook to use as I work through the lessons. I also printed the vocabulary guide. Each lesson follows the same format: video conversation, vocabulary lesson, grammar, numbers, and practice! After doing lesson one I decided to look for more resources. This is when I found Rochelle Barlow. She creates short mini-lessons for you to learn ASL. I watched one of her lessons and can now sign the alphabet! This also means I can fingerspell. In the first video Rochelle gives 4 helpful tips to people learning ASL:

1. Don’t bounce-it makes it hard to understand.

2. Don't “knock” your hand-it’s like yelling.

3. Face the person you are signing to.

4. Hold your hand still while practicing.

Here is the video of what I learned in 1 hour!

ASL Alphabet

In my Classroom

In my classroom we do a lot of personal and project based learning. My students are used to this type of learning format. I think implementing Genius Hour would be a good thing for them to explore what they want to learn. However, I have two minor issues: they do this throughout 3rd and 5th grade and time. Right now we are the only grade doing PBLs and that takes a lot of time. Adding Genius hour might stress them out by taking time away from their PBL. Also, some teachers don't like when we "copy" what others are doing. Sounds silly but it's true and I don't need to start drama with other grades.

So, I think I will do what I always do and leave it up to my students. I'll create a PearDeck slideshow telling them about it and assess what they'd like to do in real time. They are the ones in charge of their own learning so I might as well let them decide.

Here are links to my resources to help you learn:

Check out her cool videos here:

Rochelle Barlow

American Sign Language (ASL)

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration for Children and Families, Administration on Children, Youth and Families, Children's Bureau, www.acf.hhs.gov/cb Preliminary Estimates for FY 2016 as of Oct 20, 2017 (24), Page 6)

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