In this classroom, an hour a week is set aside as “Genius Hour”, a time when students can pursue their own interests by working on projects of their own choosing.
The teacher found that initially the students did quite safe, school-like projects but he decided to “trust the process” and persevere. Some students are now in their second year with this teacher and have started to find interests and passions to pursue.
This student is pursuing her interest in painting. She has been painting towers. The first attempt was a three-story tower but the student was not happy with the result. While she was on a family vacation in Italy she saw the Leaning Tower of Pisa and worked out a way to enlarge her sketch and paint it.
I can get new ideas in areas in which I have an interest and build my skills to make them work.
I generate new ideas as I pursue my interests. I deliberately learn a lot about something; e.g., by doing research, talking to others, or practicing, so that I am able to generate new ideas about it, or the ideas just pop into my head. I build the skills I need to make my ideas work, and usually succeed, even if it takes a few tries.