The Living Classrooms education team from Masonville Cove has had a great time using our Walking Classroom materials. Last year, we had a mild winter here in Baltimore, but our partner schools still bundled up for our visits!
Third graders at Francis Scott Key Elementary listened as they walked around their school track. Maree G. Farring Elementary/Middle’s sixth graders listened as they walked the path in a neighborhood park with a gorgeous view of the Baltimore skyline.
Teacher favorites included The Continental Divide (5-#30, STEM-#22, Complete-#135) and Dr. Julie Horvath (4-#98, 5-#104, STEM-#60). The Continental Divide helped students make connections between the terms water cycle, watershed, and precipitation. The interview with Dr. Horvath, an evolutionary genomicist, helped students understand the real world application of DNA.
Living Classrooms staff have really enjoyed explaining to students and partner school staff how science shows that using multiple learning styles makes a difference! In this case, a combination of auditory (listening) and kinesthetic (physical) learning leads to greater comprehension and retention of information by students. In addition, being out in nature improves mental health and reduces stress. Physical activity raises endorphins and increases blood flow to the brain!
After these visits, students revealed that they enjoyed the opportunity to go outside. Many shared that they found the exercise calming. A huge thanks to The Walking Classroom for sharing this educational tool with us. We look forward to incorporating The Walking Classroom into more of our programs!
Christine Redline
Assistant Director
Living Classrooms
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