Slow Down. Go Deeper.

I would say the most profound realization that I have had this semester is that I am not alone in teaching the students that pass through my classroom. I alone do not need to teach them everything there is to know about any given topic.

For example, I chose to plan a unit about biomes. I started researching all the biomes on Earth. I was sucked into the vortex of the various subcategories. There was so much information and so many different avenues I could take to show my students the wide world. I was pumped. I made plans to do ‘reading comprehension’ sheets and have my students learn so many cool facts. 

But then I got some perfectly timed advice. 

Why not do less, but do it deeper. Allow space and time to really explore a few biomes and make it meaningful. 

I felt a huge weight lift off my shoulders, and I realized. I alone do not need to teach my students everything there is to know about this beautiful Earth we get to call home. I do not need to stress about teaching them everything about every topic. 

Slow down. Go deeper.