I feel so fortunate to have my class participate in The Walking Classroom program this school year!! I set it up so that we walk twice a week, but the kids would love to do it every day! We bundle up well when the weather is cold, and we just start walking. The kids never complain about the weather! They are so excited about hearing another podcast that they don’t even notice.
I love listening to the kids’ comments before and after our walks. Getting outside to learn is such a treat for them, and they like to predict what they will be learning. Once the lesson is over, they love chatting about the podcast with each other, and they are eager to write about their new knowledge in their “Listening Journals”.
My favorite part about The Walking Classroom, and it’s really hard to pick just one, is how much fun it is for the kids, and me, to move and learn at the same time! This way of learning is powerful for my kids with dyslexia and ADHD! They feel successful and empowered. They too can shine among their peers!
Thank you again for creating such a rich and engaging program for our kids! I just grin from ear to ear when I hear the kids saying things like, “I can’t wait to hear what our next podcast is!” and “This is the best part of the day!”
Tracy Heinrich
5th Grade Teacher
Laurelhurst Elementary
I am new teacher to Walking Classroom! I implemented Walking Wednesday in my Advanced Language Arts 5th grade Classroom! My students love it and are extremely disappointed if our schedule does not allow us to walk on a Wednesday! I truly believe that they would participate in it everyday! For those days that it is wet, we walk around inside the building and the students love it just the same! It is great when we are all trotting down the hallway laughing during the podcast! Exercising, laughing, and learning…who could ask for anything more!
My students love the Walking Classroom. They look forward to Mondays and Wednesdays because those are our Walking Classroom days. We hope that the weather here in Southern Oregon cooperates, so that we may walk outside in our small community. As long as it’s not actively raining or below 30 degrees, we head outside for our walk. Otherwise, we walk in the school’s gym. The Walking Classroom is enjoyed by all, but it’s especially helpful for very active and ADHD students. I am so happy to be able to provide an active educational atmosphere in which my students are thriving. Thank you Walking Classroom!
I feel exactly the same way! I look forward to walking and listening just as much as the students. I use listening/thinking journals too and have seen an improvement in note-taking skills and written expression in addition to listening comprehension. Thank you for sharing.