We have exactly five weeks left in the semester, but week 16 doesn’t really count since it is finals week. So, we actually have four weeks left in the semester. Oh, but part of it is Thanksgiving break. Ok, we have three and a half weeks, but who is counting?
If you’re like me, you haven’t really realized that the end of the semester is rapidly approaching and there are still so many activities and experiences that you want the students to have! While I was revising the rest of my semester overview this morning, the thought dawned on me that I needed to cut out one of my projects. At first, I was saddened that the students wouldn’t have an opportunity to do this, but then I realized that it is more valuable that they do not feel rushed and that we delve more deeply into the final book we’re reading. The last thing I want my students to feel is a rush to the end to just get the class over with.
Speaking from personal experience, we tend to try and rush and get as much information crammed into our students before they finish the class. I have learned that this is not helpful for the students, nor does this allow the students to really understand the material taught. While cutting curriculum is not always desirable, there are payoffs to cutting back:
- Less pressure for students to complete an assignment
- Less grading for faculty
- More time to delve deeper into already existing project or assignment
When looking for something to cut, I did a little test. I looked at the assignments left for the rest of the semester. I examined whether the assignment was about getting something done or if it was a lesson that truly taught content and was valuable for making the course work complete. As soon as I realized this assignment had, for me, become about getting them to do something and not about the content or value of the lesson, then I knew I could cut it. What, if anything, are you able to cut out?