Getting the opportunity to use The Walking Classroom with my students in health class has been a delightful and unforgettable experience. I love the fact that my students get an opportunity to get fresh air while listening, learning, and walking.
As a physical education/health teacher, enabling my students to get a few minutes of outdoor physical activity outside of their PE class is very important to me. My students have been excited about the program, especially as they have been the only class in the school to do the program so far!
In addition, I have been able to incorporate the use of technology in my health curriculum. This has enabled me to reach my auditory learners.
Seeing those health message topics in each podcast has been wonderful too! It has allowed me to introduce and/or review health content with the students. I have easily incorporated the messages into my planning. My students can’t wait to share the health message with the rest of the class during our discussion sessions!
The character value that corresponds to each podcast has become another of my favorite components of The Walking Classroom. My school already implements the use of character education through “core virtues” — these include respect, responsibility, persistence, and cooperation, to name a few.
Having the character values imbedded into The Walking Classroom podcasts allows me to reinforce those values/virtues. It also gives my students the opportunity to listen to how these values/virtues are put into practice.
It is great to listen to the podcasts, but assessing my students on what they have learned while on the walks is important too. Assessments help guide both the students and myself through the learning process.
One of my students’ favorite type of assessments is the 3-2-1 method. It does not matter what topic/content area we are listening to; everyone has a chance to have something to discuss and write about.
I mix the 3-2-1 method around for my health class depending on the topic and the students’ level of prior knowledge. For example, one day I might have them write 3-facts, 2-opinions, and 1-question about the podcast. Another day, I will have them do 3-questions, 2-opinions, and 1-fact! I let them know before the walk which variation they will do when we get back.
Thanks to The Walking Classroom, my students are now more physically active, health conscious, and better listeners too!
Hadiatou Akinwande
Physical Education/Health Teacher
Mayda Cortiella/P.S.75 Elementary
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