On the days we use The Walking Classroom, my students are out the door. Earbuds in, they are ready to begin the morning with a smile! The Walking Classroom gives them the opportunity to completely wake up. They start the day with pep in their step. Because students enjoy listening to the podcasts, they are focused and energized to get moving. Even behavior problems seem to decrease!
My classroom is a kaleidoscope of personalities, and The Walking Classroom has kept all of my students engaged! They come back with a wealth of information after listening to the podcasts. Thanks to the Walking Classroom, some of my students have grown more confident about participating in discussion, when otherwise they were shy and quiet. After listening to a podcast, those students feel ready to talk about what they just learned!
My students’ strength in reading, comprehension, and writing varies greatly as well. The class ranges from ELL students to gifted and high-achieving students. The Walking Classroom provides all of them with an even platform of learning, as they listen, discuss, and self-assess their learning. They are always excited and eager to hear a new podcast, and there have been many “aha!” moments. Students have become so interested in some of the topics that they have done their own research and presented even more information on a topic discussed in a podcast.
The program has been a great motivator and creative teaching tool too! Students are eager and willing to listen to each podcast and happy to share their learning afterward. Our walks create positive energy and students focus on the lessons ahead.
This is a program I definitely see using year after year. The Walking Classroom differentiates to meet students’ needs, motivates them to exercise, and encourages and supports students’ individual styles of learning.
Claudia Martinez
5th Grade Teacher
Rowan Avenue Elementary
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