One of the best things about being part of The Walking Classroom is the love. Yes, that’s right! It’s gratifying to get to feel the love — to hear or read about adopters’ positive experiences with the program through their comments to us.
A whole lot of that love, and some pretty glowing recommendations, come from teachers and students who are currently using the program. Here (to make you smile too) are just a sampling of memorable comments from the teacher thank you notes we received this past school year!
Comments Come from Coast to Coast . . .
“I love seeing my students’ faces and their realizations during those post-walk discussions . . . The best is when they realize the achieving goals can be difficult, but passion and persistence is the key!” — Jena Piacenti, Alaska
“We are constantly looking to get our students accustomed to being outside and enjoying the beauty that surrounds them. This curriculum pairs perfectly with everything we do.” — Carole Hoeltje, Florida
. . . and Beyond!
“From our very first lesson, students were able to retain information as well as become totally engaged in the podcast. They participated in think, pair, share activities, as well as individual quizzes to check for mastery.” — Kerra Samuel, U.S. Virgin Islands
What the Teachers Tell Us . . .
“My class loves The Walking Classroom! They enjoy being outdoors, listening to the speakers, and connecting the lessons to content we’re already working on! During class discussion they will reference things they heard in the podcasts!” — Laura Gerlach, Georgia
“My 140+ students have used The Walking Classroom for a few months now and it is by far their favorite part of my history class! I have seen a huge growth in student engagement in the subject matter and an increase in scores when it comes to testing on the material covered on these podcasts.” — Ali Featherston, Missouri
“The students do absolutely look forward to walking and listening to podcasts. As an educator, I’m often amazed when it appears a student is distracted while walking, yet when we have follow-up discussion, that student is able to relay detailed, pertinent information.” — Deborah Rector, West Virginia
“We are a small school with limited outdoor space, no windows, and low scores on state tests for listening. The Walking Classroom program helps with all three! We get to move, get fresh air, and practice our listening . . . all while learning!” — Natalie Edward, California
School Nurses Speak . . .
“As a school nurse, I am so excited to be at a school that is utilizing The Walking Classroom! Too many of our students are inactive with little outdoor exploration or play. Including some exercise in the learning process is such a healthy win-win for them! Thank you for this program. It is making a difference!” — Marla King, North Carolina
. . . Montessori Teachers Too!
“The Walking Classroom aligns so perfectly with the Montessori teaching philosophy, which incorporates movement into work due to the strong correlation with increased attention and memory. The program has been so good and enjoyable for our students.” — Alisha Kocs, Utah
The Positive Comments Keep Coming!
“Another added positive to The Walking Classroom is the fact that the podcasts start with mini-lessons and information about being healthy. These are a great reinforcement for students to practice healthy habits they can carry through life.” — Karen Jackson, California
“This was such a great addition to my class this year. I was not sure how students would feel about it, but they get so excited to go on our walks each week. Also, it is great hearing them refer back to different podcasts that they have listened to during class discussions..” — Allyson Jaeger, Connecticut
Breaking Down Walls . . .
“The Walking Classroom breaks down the physical walls of the classroom. It allows students to experience the curriculum and engage in the kind of physical activity that encourages a deeper, more personal connection, while providing all the benefits of physical activity on cognition. ” — Ben Barrett, Pennsylvania
“I have a student who is a recent refugee from Afghanistan. English is difficult to learn, but he loves listening, and it is helping him become a part of the group. Walking and listening as a group is a shared experience that builds a sense of community and helps everyone feel connected.” — Linda Korovesis, Michigan
. . . and Guaranteeing Smiles!
“There are always smiles when my students learn it is a Walking Classroom day! It’s wonderful to have an effective supplemental program that my students enjoy!” — Casey Huntley, Oregon
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