I am so thankful for The Walking Classroom. The Walking Classroom has been very successful in my classroom and well-received by my students. While my students live near a “school house by the sea” the poverty level is very high.
My students have struggled to learn during Hurricane Florence, COVID shutdown, and learning at home through online lessons. Having The Walking Classroom materials has inspired them to have a desire to learn and has given them a platform of various topics to discuss in class and at home.
The topics presented by the podcasts are so informative and educational. With the program, my students have the opportunity to enjoy fresh air and sunshine at least twenty minutes each day. They are thrilled with using the podcast and are enjoying the fresh air everyday that we are able to get out and walk.
They are learning so much in such a short period of time and their conversations are so insightful when we discuss the podcast. My students stay engaged with the podcast and gain so much information that is relevant to our fifth grade curriculum. We were really excited to listen to Rachel Carson (5-#8, STEM-#37, Complete-#157) and then visit the site shortly after to discuss her contributions to the environment. Connections like these make learning enjoyable and engaging.
Beyond this, my students are showing so much progress in their reading skills. In fact, on the last Reading Check-In mandated by the state of NC showed my students achieving 80% proficiency. That is definitely data that they are proud of, and they are excited to take their EOGs to show how much they learned.
Since receiving The Walking Classroom, my students have become more enthusiastic about learning new topics. I begin our lessons with a short discussion about the topic we are learning that day. This helps me evaluate the background that my students have about the podcast topic. I then proceed to include additional resources to support the podcast such as a reading passage or video. Then my students enjoy a twenty minute walk outside or in the hallways listening to entertaining podcasts. Thank you so much for allowing my students the opportunity learn from such a wonderful program.
Dora Edwards
5th Grade Teacher
Beaufort Elementary
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