Stellar Teacher Podcast: A Podcast for Upper Elementary Teachers 280. Slow Down to Show Up: A Thanksgiving Reminder for Teachers
As we head into Thanksgiving week, I know things can start to feel a little chaotic. Schedules are disjointed, students are distracted, and you’re probably juggling classroom responsibilities with holiday prep, travel plans, or hosting duties. It’s a lot—and it’s easy to feel the pressure to keep pushing through. But this week’s episode is your gentle reminder that it’s okay to pause, slow down, and give yourself permission to do less.
In this short and heartfelt episode, I’m encouraging you to shift your focus from productivity to connection. Instead of cramming in one more lesson or assessment, think about what it might look like to create a calm and cozy classroom space. Read a picture book just for fun, play a simple vocabulary game, have your students free write about something joyful, or do a quick classroom reset together. These activities may look different from your usual plans, but they’re still deeply valuable—they help your students feel grounded, connected, and ready to return after Thanksgiving break with a clear mind.
So if you needed a little permission slip this week, this is it. Doing less doesn’t mean you’re falling behind—it means you’re protecting your energy and caring for your students in a meaningful way. You’re already doing enough, and the best thing you can give yourself (and your class) this Thanksgiving week is a moment to rest and recharge. Tune in for a little encouragement and a reminder that slowing down is sometimes the most productive thing you can do.
Purchase our Thanksgiving Themed Literacy Resource, or our Seasonal Literacy Bundle.
Join us in the Stellar Literacy Collective Membership: stellarteacher.com/join!
Sign up for my FREE private podcast, the Confident Writer Systems Series, here!
Sign up for my FREE Revision Made Easy email series here!
Follow me on Instagram @thestellarteachercompany.
To check out all of the resources from this episode, head to the show notes: https://www.stellarteacher.com/episode280.