This post, part of this year’s Walk This Way series which shares The Walking Classroom experiences of teachers and students across the United States, provides a glimpse into Petrecia Shales’ class.
The thing I like best about The Walking Classroom is that it is easy to add curriculum to it. It is just as easy to build curriculum around it!
Back to Fourth Grade . . . and State History!
I haven’t taught fourth grade in many years, and my district now requires us to teach Illinois history. This is all great — except we have no resources!
I ended up creating a lapbook to cover the content, and was so excited when I found the podcast on Native American Mound Builders (4-#72, Complete-#96). What a great podcast to support the curriculum! The students and I learned about the first settlers in Illinois from 1000 years ago — the Mississippians!
Building from the Podcast
To add to the podcast, I found a video about the Cahokia Mounds in Illinois. What a thrill for my students to discover they could find Native American mounds right in their own state!
As part of Illinois History, I also taught about the New Madrid Earthquake of 1811 – 1812. I was able to supplement the content by using two of The Walking Classroom’s podcasts.
First, we listened to Layers of the Earth (4-#74, STEM-#16, Complete-#133). In addition, I incorporated Firsthand vs. Secondhand Accounts (4-#46, Complete-#21). These two podcasts helped my students understand both the reasons for the earthquake and the importance of primary and secondary sources.
Thanks, Walking Classroom!
Trecia Shales
Fourth Grade Teacher
Washington Elementary
Follow Mrs. Shales’ class of fourth grade students as they walk, listen, and learn through the school year. Look for her posts the first Friday of every month!
And, be sure to check out how the program is being implemented by other teachers on subsequent Fridays!
Hi Trecia,
My name is Kylie Bears and I am a 5th grade science and social studies teacher in Wyoming.
I love the extra resources as well! It is so easy to add in or even build around the podcasts as you have mentioned. I especially love the ones on the scientists as it is a really great way to extend their learning as we often don’t make time to study individual scientists.
My students really love the opportunity to get out and walk while they learn. Engagement is always top-notch during this time. I absolutely love it!
I hope you’re having a wonderful school year!