When I was a fifth grade teacher, my class used The Walking Classroom three times a week to start off our day. We often came back after walking and incorporated related reading passages, science labs, or other activities. Now, as a STEM teacher for grades K-5, I have implemented a fourth and fifth grade STEM Walking Club.
Every Monday, the fourth grade club walks and listens to STEM-related podcasts. Then, every Thursday, the fifth grade club walks and listens. The students take The Walking Classroom’s comprehension quizzes at the end of the walk after a whole group discussion. Students that score highest on the quizzes get to choose the next podcast topic!
Those students that are in the STEM Walking Club look forward to walking each week. They enjoy the different podcasts, and we have great discussions about the interesting things they learn each time they listen. The students report that the walk helps them focus better when they go back to their regular classroom too!
In addition, the STEM Walking Club has turned into a great bonding experience for kids who wouldn’t normally interact with one another. We are hoping the STEM-related content will help support the topics students are studying in their classrooms, and will provide them with more confidence in science content and vocabulary too.
Kim Collazo
K-5 STEM Teacher
Robbins Elementary
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