I use OneNote daily in my business activity. For me it’s absolutely indispensable. I know I’m only cracking the surface of it’s potential but I can see the true power of this software when I see an example like this.

One Fifth Grade teacher in California is using OneNote to inspire and transform her class through “Genius Hour.”

The Full story is here: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius

The FREE e-book that inspired this teacher: “Liberating Genius” (in OneNote format) is available here.

Here’s the beginning of the story:

The message on the whiteboard was simple. You matter. When the students entered the classroom, they were bound to see it. You matter. The next day it moved again, where students couldn’t miss it. You matter.

It wasn’t put up by any teacher. This message was being driven home day after day by a student.

She was motivated to deliver these empowering words through the Genius Hour walk-up lessons we’ve been using from Angela Maiers’ free e-book (in OneNote format), “Liberating Genius.” My message-writing student told me she thought her genius right now was inspiring other students to feel as special as she does.

The “Room Nine Kids” is a fifth grade class in Manteca (California) Unified School District. I am a big believer in Genius Hour, which allows students to study a topic of their own choosing. The topic must be approved by the teacher; it must require research, problem-solving or skill-building; and the final project must be presented to the class. I have seen the power of Genius Hour in my students.

Maiers’ “Liberating Genius” paves the way to Genius Hour through lessons that involve self-reflection, character-building, collaboration and the inspiring motto, “You are a genius and the world needs your contribution.” One of our lessons included having the students realize that their genius matters—not just to them but to the world around them. And one of my students has already taken that message to heart.

Read the entire article: Empowering students with Genius Hour—Part 1: Accepting your genius