Crushed by Curriculum Clocks? How to Stop Racing and Start Teaching Again
Click here to watch the YOUTUBE version of this post.
Welcome to our yearlong series on Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers. Each week we will give you a new piece to the classroom management puzzle to have in place when you need it this school year. Think of it as a Lego kit just waiting to be built.
Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers: Crushed by Curriculum Clocks? How to Stop Racing and Start Teaching Again
I’m Lauren, and today’s episode is for every teacher staring at their pacing guide and wondering:
“How am I supposed to finish all this when the kids are melting down, I’m burned out, and we’re two assemblies away from summer?”
If that’s you—take a deep breath. Let’s talk about what really matters and how to shift from “covering content” to actually connecting with your class in these final weeks.
So here’s what I see every spring...
Teachers being told:
“Make sure you finish this!”
“Don’t forget those assessments!”
“We need those data points!”
“Wrap up that unit!”
“Submit student work samples!”
Sound familiar?
It’s like the academic pressure gets louder *right when students are least able to focus.
And let’s be honest… it’s not just about the curriculum. It’s about feeling like you're being judged on what you didn’t finish. What you didn’t get to. What didn’t go perfectly.
That pressure? It’s real. And it’s heavy.
But here’s the thing…
Your value as a teacher is not measured by how many units you finished.
It’s measured by the growth you created, the relationships you built, and the skills your students carry with them.
Let that sink in.
Let’s bust a myth real quick:
You are not behind. You are doing the work of 3 people, in a system designed by folks who forgot what it feels like to actually teach a room full of 6-year-olds in May.
What does “finishing the curriculum” really mean? Does every student need every standard drilled to mastery in the last week?
Or… would it matter more to help them walk into next year confident, connected, and curious?
🤯 What if finishing strong didn’t mean finishing everything?
If you’re nodding your head, here are three mindset and strategy shifts you can make this week that will help you breathe again.
Shift 1: Flip the Focus → from Completion to Connection
Instead of cramming the last 20% of a unit, focus on review, reflection, and relationships.
🛠️ Try this:
- Create a “Top 5 Things We Learned” bulletin board
- Let students “teach back” key concepts
- Use group games or partner challenges for spiral review
This builds memory and morale.
Shift 2: Stop the Content Firehose
Instead of rushing new content, reinforce core skills in fun, engaging ways.
🛠️ Try this:
- Combine subjects (reading + science, writing + SEL)
- Do a mini-project that lets them apply what they’ve learned
- Host a themed week that makes the basics exciting again (e.g., Math Mania Week)
You’ll feel lighter. They’ll be more engaged.
Shift 3: Normalize Doing Less, Better
Give yourself permission to slow down and simplify. It's not quitting—it’s choosing quality over quantity.
🛠️ Try this:
- Cut the “extras” in your lesson plan
- Swap worksheets for discussion, movement, or collaboration
- Make peace with “unfinished”—it doesn’t define your success
Teacher friend, you’ve already done the most important work:
You showed up. You held space. You kept teaching, even when it was hard.
And now, in these final weeks, you get to choose how it ends.
Don’t let pressure rob you of presence.
Don’t let pacing guides push you into panic.
Instead—create moments that matter. Let kids leave your room remembering how they felt—not just what they learned.
💛 Here's your affirmation:
“I don’t need to finish everything. I need to finish what matters.”
If this episode helped ease the pressure, would you share it with another teacher who needs a reminder to breathe?
Screenshot it, tag me @classroommanagementforprimary, and let’s finish the year with calm, connection, and confidence.
You’ve got this!
Manage Student Behavior in 5 Minutes a Day!
Do you see student behavior going through the roof right about now?
Have you tried EVERYTHING and NOTHING seems to work?
Trust me, I've been there!
This is EXACTLY why I created The Student Behavior Scenario of the Day Cards for primary teachers. You will improve student behavior AND your classroom management in just 5 minutes a day!
As teachers, we can't assume that students know how to behave or what is expected of them and so often that is where things go wrong for us. (We all know what happens when we ''assume", but yet we still do it anyway.)
These cards changed EVERYTHING for me in the primary classroom because students LOVE talking about behavior AND they want to meet your expectations.
Best of all, each card has scenario of the day, reflection questions, and possible consequences that teachers can use in each situation.
GRAB YOUR FREE SAMPLE HERE: Student Behavior Scenario of the Day Cards
DID YOU KNOW…
Did you know I organize a FREE Facebook Group for Mastering Classroom Management? We are gearing up for our school year quarter sessions, so if you’re looking for a simple way to improve your classroom management join the already 200+ teachers that have signed up: Mastering Classroom Management Facebook Group
Your ebook GIFT: Empowering Primary Teachers: Effectively Manage Disruptive and Violent Behaviors in the Classroom
FINALLY…
If you enjoyed the tips in this post, you might also enjoy this series of videos Classroom Management by Design for Primary Teachers:
Expanding AI's Role in the Primary Classroom
Unlock the Power of AI in the Primary Classroom
Supporting a Student Being Bullied
What to do With a Bully in the Primary Classroom
The Science of Movement in the Classroom
10 Ways to Use Movement for Better Classroom Behavior
Why Incorporating Movement Into the School Day Improves Classroom Management
Don’t forget to follow us over on Instagram!
Teach~Relax~Repeat
Lauren
