For the last few years, each Student in our School have participated in Genius Hour. They've learned how to create stop motion movies, hydroponic gardening, ceramics, cooking chemistry and so much more. We've formed clubs of multi-grades and have seen amazing things happen when 1st and 4th graders learn robotics together. Genius Hour is a hit at our School and Staff love imparting ideas, resources, encouragement and direction.So, it had me thinking, I've always wanted to learn how to knit. My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was young, but I wanted to know how to knit sweaters, scarves or mittens. I checked out a few books with very easy steps, bought needles and yarn and got started. All was going well, until I got to "Step 2". Essentially, the pictures and the directions became confusing - how in the world was I to flip that piece of yarn over the other piece to make a creative knot?
That's when it occurred to me - ask the 5th grade Students that chose knitting for Genius Hour last year for help! What a perfect solution! These Students, both boys and girls, imparted their ideas, resources, encouragement and direction...and...enjoyed every bit of helping me learn my new craft.
I was taken by their enthusiasm and great care. Easily they could have taken the needles and yarn and did it for themselves, instead they helped me learn for myself. My knitting is a work in process. I am still trying to make the stitches even and consistent, which is not an easy feat for a newbie. I take my projects in and they'll stop by the Lab to check it out, give pats on the back or other tips for improving it. I learned that the boys were actually pretty good at knitting. Their tips included getting thicker yarn and to start any project by designing it on paper first. I could create any object, choose any color and map out a plan before picking up the needles and yarn. Every tip given was spot-on, and they loved it when I'd try it and showed them the results - which always turned out to be good solutions.
I call it "Reverse Genius Hour", because it was the Students that help guide my learning as opposed to me guiding theirs. Reverse Genius Hour was a hit!
This was a great idea!
