Challenge Hour - Session 1

Session 1:  Launch And Brainstorm

Bring students into classroom/library.

Show “Starting Challenge Hour” Haiku Deck #1:

http://www.haikudeck.com/p/EQPhrBbIu5/challenge-hour-intro

Give a brief explanation of Challenge Hour.

Show Challenge Hour Topic Examples on projector. (Click on the list below to see it larger.) (Emphasize that kids don't have to pick from this list--it's just meant to give them an idea of the kinds of projects that they can choose.)

So how do you choose a topic?  To get the most out of the project, you need to choose something that you are passionate about!  Talk a little about what passionate means.

Pass out "Challenge Hour Survey" (but no pencils yet).

Put half-filled sample survey up on the projector and discuss briefly.

Pass out pencils and have students fill in the top half of each box.  

Discuss how you go from interests to possible topics.  Think about:

--Choose something that excites you!  Would you do it on your own time over the weekend just because it seems interesting?  
--Make sure you learn something new.

--Don't choose something that can be answered with a simple Google search.  It should be challenging and involve research.

--Make it the right size project--not too big and not too small.  (We have 6 more weeks.)

--Do you have the supplies for it?

--You can work some at home, but make sure you have something to do during Challenge Hour at school too.

--How would you share this with the group?  

Show completed sample survey and briefly discuss.

Start filling out the rest of the survey.  Parent volunteers can help draw out ideas from kids who seem stuck, and give feedback to kids who have ideas.  

Turn to other side of handout: "My Challenge Hour Project"

Choose your top 3 or 4 project ideas (by circling on the survey).

Your job for next week:  Take your handout home and finish it with someone in your family.  Bring it back next week! 

Here's a sample of what it might look like:

While a parent volunteer takes surveys and photocopies them, show:

Caine's arcade (up to 5:20), and/or Kid President.

Caine's Arcade

A pep talk from Kid President

Have students label a file folder and put survey copies inside for next time.  Parents collect folders.