It was March of 2024 when my family rented a cabin with another family in Gatlinburg, Tennessee during spring break. It was to be a time of relaxation and enjoyment with friends in the splendor of The Great Smoky Mountains. And it was…although I’m not sure there was any parental relaxation since there were six kids ranging in age from one to ten. One day we all decided to drive into the national park for a little hike to really immerse ourselves in nature. It was a lovely time. We crossed several creeks, there was a 50 foot climb beside a small waterfall, and we even took respite at an old abandoned cabin for trail mix and water. But, what left me more awestruck than anything in that gorgeous green forest were the trees. My gaze was immediately drawn to the canopy created by the tallest of trees. It was a wonder to take in and made me feel so small in comparison.
Really and truly a ‘wow’ moment…the lushness of the seemingly innumerable trees and shrubs, the almost spongy feeling of the trail covered with pine needles, and the noticeable clean air…you could almost feel your lungs emitting an ‘ahh’ when you took a deep breath. In a way, just being immersed in it all made you want to be a better version of yourself.
It wasn’t until we returned from the trip, when reminiscing about that hike, that I wondered about what couldn’t immediately be seen during that majestic hike…the roots. Their importance in the life of a tree is undeniable. Without the roots taking in and storing nutrients and anchoring the tree firmly in the soil, there is no beauty for us to marvel at above ground. We often think of the life of a tree existing only above ground because that is all we can really observe, but just as much life is occurring under our feet. Someone on reddit said it like this, “Trees actually live underground, they just use the upper portion as a snorkel.” (1) Now, I cannot speak to just how factually correct this statement is, but I appreciate its sentiment and believe it aligns with my point. The roots provide the foundation for growth, sustainability, and life. If the roots don’t establish, the tree dies.
I see knowledge and learning in a similar light.
Somewhat understandably, it is more alluring to focus on the innovation and creativity that is possible with a firm foundation of domain-specific knowledge. I absolutely love walking down the art hallway at my high school when they are preparing for a show or displaying work. It is incredible to see what the students are capable of…far beyond anything I would be capable of doing. Their creativity is admirable and inspiring. They make me want to write and exercise my creative outlets. But, as one of our art teachers once told me as I admired the difference between the somewhat mechanical works of the art I students and the more innovative works of the art IV students, “They’ve got to know the rules of how to draw and paint before they can break those rules with their individual styles.” Even in a discipline that is appreciated for its creative expression, there are roots. There is a foundation of knowledge that needs to be acquired.
Similar to the stability and nourishment that roots of a tree provide, the roots of knowledge supply a necessary base for further learning and proper creativity and innovation. Without this foundation, we are usually left confused and guessing as learners. We are, at best, inefficient in our academic endeavours. Connecting what we don’t have a solid foundation in to more advanced concepts is nearly impossible. Our understanding is fragile, much like a tree with withered roots. A gust of wind or swift flowing water may cause damage. But where roots are deep and/or wide, the tree is not bothered. Growing a firm base of learning will, in the end, create more fruitful trees and a healthier forest of knowledge.
As a teacher in the classroom, I sometimes feel that tug to innovation. It’s tough to fight off. It looks good displayed on a wall or via some multimedia presentation and we sometimes feel this makes visible just how good of a teacher we are. But if students aren’t cognitively prepared for the attempt at creativity…if the roots haven’t been carefully established…frustration and confusion will flourish instead of any unique and valuable expression of their understanding. The roots of learning may not be as fun an endeavour as the canopy of creativity, but you are doing your students a much greater service by taking the necessary time to nourish those roots.
So, the next time you’re out for a hike and you find yourself looking upwards in admiration of the beauty around, don’t forget about those roots beneath you. They may not take your breath away like what’s going on above ground, but they allow for that enchanting view. If we take the time to nourish the roots of knowledge and learning, we grow the more innovative and creative learners we want to send out into the world.
Feature image by Alexander Fattal.
Leave a Reply