Serving and Identifying Gifted Learners with Passion Projects
Genius Hour
What if the key to identifying and serving your gifted learners isn’t another test, but the opportunity to pursue their passion and purpose during the school day?
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The 6 Ps of Genius Hour
Finding Meaning in the Mess:
Why I Created the 6 Ps of Genius Hour
When I first implemented Genius Hour in my classroom, I was excited...and overwhelmed.
I believed in giving my learners time to explore their passions. I wanted them to feel ownership, curiosity, and joy in learning. But once we started, the questions came flooding in:
What do I do with students who don’t know their passion?
How do I give them freedom without chaos?
How will I know if it’s working?
It was messy — in the best and hardest ways. But I realized something important:
Genius Hour doesn’t mean a free-for-all.
Students (and teachers!) need a roadmap, a flexible structure that guides the experience while still allowing creativity and autonomy to thrive.
That’s when I created the 6 Ps of Genius Hour, a clear, practical framework that brings meaning to the mess and helps learners (and educators) move from ideas to impact.
💡 The 6 Ps of Genius Hour:
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Passion – Discover what drives you
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Plan – Set a meaningful direction
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Pitch – Share your idea with others
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Project – Take action and start building
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Product – Create something real and shareable
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Presentation – Reflect and showcase your learning
Genius Hour works when done well.
It wasn’t so long ago that I was right where you are, inspired by the idea of Genius Hour, but unsure where to start. I know what it feels like to want more meaning, more student engagement, and more joy in your teaching… but to feel overwhelmed by the how.
Over the past 10+ years, I’ve helped thousands of educators bring Genius Hour to life in their classrooms, guiding them through the process, providing structure, and helping them unlock student creativity, ownership, and authentic learning. I created the Genius Hour Academy and the 6 Ps framework because I’ve lived the messy middle and I know how powerful this journey can be when you have the right tools and support.