What do our adopters have to say? Enjoy this sampling of comments about the benefits that educators using the program shared in emails, thank you letters, and the open-ended questions on the 2020 – 2021 Year-End Update.
Health Benefits and Health Awareness
All of the students are loving the experience . . we are challenging ourselves to walk as many miles as we can. We have reached nine miles and hoping to achieve many more before the end of the school year.
– Rebecca Canterbury, West Virginia
The health component also helps students think about healthy choices and how to be responsible as kids now and as adults in the future. Hearing other students engage in conversations about healthy living allows students to hear a representation of their voice and in language they can easily understand. The conversations are meaningful, and help to bring awareness to issues that would not be normally be discussed in class.
– Carmichael Henry, North Carolina
With The Walking Classroom, students can learn how to walk safely in a group, monitor their heart rate, and learn why walking helps their brain. And, all of this before you even take the first step outside!
– Susan Cooper, California
More schools need to get on board with this amazing program. It’s got so much potential for helping kids learn and stay physically active.
– James Foley, Virginia
Academic Benefits? Kudos for Content!
I have used The Walking Classroom’s podcasts to help me review concepts we are learning in the content areas. I love it when students say, “What we listened to today reminds me of something we did in the classroom!” Students are learning to make connections between multiple sources. It helps them build on their listening, analyzing, and synthesizing skills.
– Meghann Seril, California
I almost always tie my Walking Classroom lessons into whatever we are learning in class at the time. Integration is key to getting through all I need to teach. I love to show one of the videos that go along with each podcast before going out for a walk. This allows my kids to have some background information about what they will be listening to, and it sets the tone for our learning.
– Teri Webb, Utah
The Walking Classroom is a tool that helps build community in our school. It expands what students are doing in the classroom and literally takes them beyond the walls and outside. They are connecting what they are doing inside of the building while having a chance to get fresh air, really listen, and then come back together to discuss.
– Andrea Roberts, Pennsylvania
I love using The Walking Classroom to build background knowledge when a topic matches with what we are getting ready to learn. While I pick the podcasts that fit best with our curriculum units and put them at the best time of the year for us, I also enjoy asking my students what they are interested in learning about. I have them choose a podcast to listen to and then share out with the class what they learned.
– Beverly Campbell, North Carolina
Supporting Students with Learning Differences
All students learn differently, and this program gives students another way to learn important concepts.
– Kristine Hewitt, Utah
Some of the students in my group have a difficult time accessing information via text. Providing them equitable access to information so that they could participate fully in discussions helped build their confidence as learners. This aspect of The Walking Classroom will create far-reaching, positive outcomes for many students.
– Tanya Stillman, Colorado
Although our organization has not been able to use the program much this year due to COVID, we are so grateful to have this resource. When our students were using the program, they absolutely loved it. The Walking Classroom was wonderful for students with ADHD and provided an opportunity for exercise. Thank you!
– Shelia Stephens, North Carolina
I work with students with disabilities and I had been looking to find more creative and engaging activities for them. The Walking Classroom seemed like the perfect fit. I eventually got the program and haven’t looked back since. Most of the podcasts are the perfect length for one of our centers, and it is an easy group to lead and monitor. We routinely listen to podcasts and worked in some of the supplemental materials from the website, and eventually worked our way up to weekly quizzes with much success.
– Katherine Brennan, New York
Discussion and Engagement . . . check!
Typically when we head outside for a learning experience, I have all I can do to manage behavior and keep the kids on task. Using this program was the complete opposite. The students thoroughly enjoyed the podcasts and would walk along silently listening and engage afterward during discussions.
– Tracy Laaksonen, Michigan
I am impressed at how much my students comprehend from the podcasts and the discussions they have with their classmates afterwards!
– Stephanie Marshall, Illinois
We have seen improvement in their engagement, participation, and enthusiasm for learning — and it couldn’t have come at a better time! It is just what we needed in this crazy year!
– Tiffany Herndon, Georgia
The Walking Classroom is an awesome resource for keeping students engaged in learning and physical activity!
– Carolyn Banks, North Carolina
The Walking Classroom energizes students in a positive, appropriate manner, engages them in a thoughtful, relevant way and extends the hand (or foot) to learning in a fresh, fun fashion!
– Julia Zamarripa, Colorado
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