Are You Teaching Too Much? Discover the Benefits of Simplifying Your Curriculum

Simplifying Your Curriculum for Deep Learning

As teachers, we’re often tasked with covering vast amounts of content. But while it’s tempting to include every detail, research and experience show that deep learning often comes from simplifying our curriculum to focus on core concepts. By prioritising depth over breadth, we empower students to build lasting knowledge, make connections between ideas, and develop critical thinking skills. This approach not only fosters more meaningful learning experiences but also supports our teaching goals and helps us avoid burnout.

In this post, let’s explore strategies for honing in on what truly matters in our lessons and see how simplifying our curriculum can lead to both more engaged students and a more fulfilling teaching experience.

The Benefits of Simplifying Curriculum

Reducing the content we teach doesn’t mean compromising on quality; rather, it allows us to cultivate deeper understanding. According to a recent study by Boaler et al. (2020), students benefit when educators focus on core concepts that encourage inquiry and exploration. When we focus on essential ideas, we create space for curiosity, and students are more likely to retain information and apply it in novel situations.

Research Insight:

A review by Schmidt and Prawat (2021) reveals that students often achieve better outcomes when teachers emphasise key concepts instead of presenting them with an overload of information. This study found that students in “reduced-load” classrooms, where teachers focused on core ideas, demonstrated improved conceptual understanding and were more engaged in the learning process. Simplifying content does not reduce rigor; it enhances it by encouraging students to explore and apply knowledge rather than memorise details.

Step 1: Identify Essential Learning Outcomes

A streamlined curriculum begins with a clear understanding of essential learning outcomes. Start by asking yourself, “What do I want my students to understand and remember long-term?” These outcomes should align with core concepts and standards but be manageable and focused.

Reflective Practice:

List all the topics in your curriculum and identify those that are essential to grasping broader concepts. For example, if you teach science, consider how understanding the basics of living and non-living things supports students’ grasp of ecosystems, food chains, and environmental science. By focusing on these foundational ideas, you create a solid framework that allows students to build their knowledge progressively and connect more complex science concepts with confidence.

Strategy in Action:

A study by Darling-Hammond and colleagues (2019) found that when teachers defined a limited set of learning outcomes focused on critical thinking and real-world application, students’ retention of material improved, and they were more engaged. Setting focused learning outcomes is not only efficient but also reinforces your core teaching goals.

Step 2: Reduce Content Overload by Grouping Related Ideas

Grouping related ideas can further simplify your curriculum. When you cluster concepts, you create natural bridges for students to make connections, which deepens their understanding. This method prevents students from feeling overwhelmed by a deluge of facts and instead encourages them to see the bigger picture.

Practical Application:

For example, a HASS (History and Social Sciences) teacher in Australia might cluster lessons on Indigenous culture, early explorers, and colonial settlement, connecting them to themes of land use and cultural impact. By linking these ideas rather than treating them as isolated topics, students begin to see how different groups and events have shaped Australia’s shared history and identity.

Step 3: Design Lessons That Promote Inquiry and Reflection

Inquiry-based learning helps students approach core concepts from a place of curiosity. According to Niemi and Nevgi (2022), promoting inquiry supports deeper cognitive engagement, especially when lessons are focused on big ideas rather than specific details. When students explore concepts themselves, they naturally retain knowledge longer.

Inquiry-Based Example:

For a literature unit, rather than discussing each character’s actions in detail, encourage students to explore themes, symbols, and motives that drive the plot. Ask them questions like, “What does this character’s journey reveal about resilience?” These open-ended questions guide students toward understanding complex themes in a way that feels personal and memorable.

Step 4: Embrace Active Learning Over Memorisation

Active learning experiences—such as group discussions, projects, and problem-solving tasks—allow students to engage with core concepts at a deeper level than rote memorisation ever could. Research by Freeman et al. (2020) indicates that active learning, when centered around essential ideas, improves students’ retention, critical thinking, and engagement.

In Practice:

In a maths lesson, instead of drilling through multiple problem types, focus on fewer problems that require students to apply a single concept in different ways. This approach, sometimes called “productive struggle,” encourages students to develop problem-solving skills and understand the underlying principles rather than just finding the right answer.

Step 5: Use Assessments to Reinforce Core Concepts

Assessments are another tool to reinforce essential ideas. Traditional exams often emphasise breadth, which can lead to superficial understanding. Instead, consider using assessments that measure students’ depth of understanding. Open-ended questions, project-based assessments, and reflective journals all provide insight into students’ grasp of key ideas and their ability to apply knowledge.

Research Support:

Studies by Martinez and Kane (2021) suggest that students demonstrate greater mastery when assessments focus on a limited number of high-level skills and concepts rather than an exhaustive list. These assessments challenge students to think critically, analyse, and apply concepts, leading to a more profound learning experience.

Step 6: Foster a Classroom Culture of Reflection and Growth

Reflection is essential for deep learning. In a simplified curriculum, reflection helps students solidify their understanding of core concepts, connect ideas, and think about their learning process. Encourage students to keep journals, discuss insights with peers, or reflect at the end of each unit.

Reflection Techniques:

At the end of a unit, ask students to write about the key ideas they’ve learned and how they connect to other areas of study or life experiences. By regularly engaging in reflection, students are more likely to retain information and develop an appreciation for the knowledge they’ve gained.

Step 7: Give Yourself Permission to Let Go

Letting go of “extra” content can feel challenging, but remember that simplicity often enhances clarity. Teaching fewer topics deeply rather than covering everything broadly has been shown to reduce teacher burnout and improve student learning (Gerson et al., 2022). Trust that by focusing on what matters most, you’re fostering meaningful, lasting understanding in your students.

Final Thoughts: Focusing on What Matters Most

Teaching with a simplified, focused curriculum can transform both your teaching practice and your students’ learning experience. By prioritising essential ideas, clustering related topics, fostering inquiry, and embracing reflective practices, we empower students to learn deeply and think critically. Not only does this approach improve student outcomes, but it also brings more clarity, joy, and purpose to our teaching.

Our goal as teachers is not just to cover material but to ignite curiosity and help students build a lifelong foundation of knowledge. Embrace simplicity, trust in the power of core concepts, and watch as your students flourish.

Liz 💛

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References

• Boaler, J., Andersen, E., & Williams, C. (2020). Teaching for deep understanding: Mathematics and inquiry in the classroom. Educational Research Journal, 65(3), 145–165.

• Darling-Hammond, L., Hyler, M., & Gardner, M. (2019). Effective teacher professional development. Learning Policy Institute.

• Freeman, S., Eddy, S. L., McDonough, M., Smith, M. K., Okoroafor, N., Jordt, H., & Wenderoth, M. P. (2020). Active learning boosts retention and student engagement: Evidence from college-level courses. Journal of Educational Psychology, 112(4), 567–587.

• Gerson, H., Segal, M., & Diaz, J. (2022). Teaching resilience and preventing burnout: A curriculum for educators. Teaching and Teacher Education, 90(5), 322-334.

• Martinez, P., & Kane, R. (2021). Assessment for understanding: How limiting breadth improves student mastery in science education. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 30(2), 213–229.

• Niemi, H., & Nevgi, A. (2022). Promoting inquiry in education: The role of open-ended questions. International Journal of Educational Research, 102(6), 103–116.

• Schmidt, H. G., & Prawat, R. S. (2021). Curricular overload and student performance: The impact of reducing content breadth on concept mastery. Educational Psychology Review, 33(1), 75–98.