You’ve likely heard of half-birthdays. Maybe you’ve even celebrated them in your classroom to recognize those students with summer birthdays. Well, this post, falling six months after Valentine’s Day, is a half-Valentine’s Day celebration of sorts. It shares some of the many positive comments our adopters made on the year-end surveys this spring. While we shared the nationwide results in June, and some additional data in July, we saved the best for last!
Take a few moments to start your week with a smile! Read what teachers and out-of-school time adopters have said about The Walking Classroom. You’re sure to enjoy their comments. And who knows? The experience may even re-invigorate your enjoyment of walking, listening, and learning!
Enjoyment of TWC
I really like it, but my kids like it even more. It levels the playing field for learning background content.
— Toni Lehman, North Carolina
My students and I have really enjoyed The Walking Classroom program. They are really excited to come back into the classroom. They want to talk about those small details that keep them intrigued.
— Alicia Garcia, Arizona
I love getting the exercise. Plus, when my students see me walking with them, they enjoy it more!
— Taylor Fisher, North Carolina
It makes our afterschool program fun and enjoyable. Students are also getting exercise!
— Mary Foster, New Jersey
I’ve really enjoyed using TWC for the past five years. It’s really enhanced our curriculum and the students look forward to it. Thanks!
— Bonnie Ross, North Carolina
Mood-Enhancement and Behavior Improvement
They have gotten their wiggles out! They know to get right on task when we return.
— Joy Poole, Texas
The students come in more enthusiastic about the rest of the day. They enjoy sharing what they learned about in the podcasts.
— Shelley Friszell, California
Walking allows the students to get some energy out. They refocus when we return to the classroom.
— Danielle Noonan, North Carolina
Children who may come in unable to focus do better after having listened to a podcast.
— Tammy Coffee, Oklahoma
In a previous year, I had a new student arrive on a day we were doing TWC. I had been told he had a history of terrible behavior and hated school. After our walk, he said, “Boo yah, this school is awesome!” I never had any problems with his behavior.
— Katherine Nicholson, North Carolina
Health Benefits and Health Awareness
The students love the opportunity to get outside and exercise! My colleague and I have even had some students bring in light weights to use while walking. We love to see the students learning while exercising!
— Elizabeth Godwin, North Carolina
Students often bring up the health topics in each podcast weeks or even months later! TWC has allowed us to continue the dialogue about health awareness.
— Arin Kress, Ohio
I have students commenting on how they are in better physical shape because they are doing this every week.
— Debbie Meaney, North Carolina
We discuss the health tips we hear. We also talk about what changes they may want to make in their usual routines.
— Ellen Smith, Illinois
Students even reference information from the personal health discussion from time to time.
— Spencer Griffin, Oregon
Trust in Content
Many Walking Classroom podcasts align perfectly with our curriculum and content. This always impresses the students!
— Sara Laughlin, Colorado
It has been wonderful! Lessons go right with my lesson plans. My goal next year is to use it more often each week.
— Marcia Davenport, Arkansas
The diversity of the curriculum provides excellent information that the students can access easily.
— Dawn Ruppe, North Carolina
Since the content is directly connected to the curriculum, it makes it easy to work into our schedule. No worries about “replacing” it with something else!
— Nancy Carroll, Massachusetts
Differentiation and Learning Styles
It levels the playing field for my struggling readers.
— Andrea Gonzalez, California
It is nice to have options that meet more students’ learning styles. It is also a treat to get outside more.
— Tricia Torres, Colorado
Students are able to listen to different texts more on their levels. They are also able to talk about different subjects.
— Chanaay Moore, North Carolina
Some students learn better by hearing or moving. TWC helps those who have different learning styles. The information is presented in a simple enough way that all my students can grasp it. I can build it up for the students able to handle it.
— Josh Montero, California
It works beautifully with kids who are struggling or need reinforcement.
— Kelly Powell, North Carolina
It provides a different outlet for students to learn.
— Lindsey Simcina, Florida
Discussion Booster
Our discussions are right after our walks. Because of this, students are more confident, energized, and eager to share. Even my shy and quiet students get into the conversations a lot more frequently.
— Claudia Martinez, California
The Walking Classroom gives me the opportunity to have rich discussions where all students can participate.
— Mary Wolf, Michigan
We use “think, pair, share” to discuss vocabulary words and preview the content before walking. I also hear students conversing about the podcast after they are finished listening.
— Diane Denniston, Nebraska
I especially like those podcasts that explicitly say “now go talk about this topic.” It isn’t always the first thing you would think of regarding that topic. Sometimes it’s a parallel statement. That’s great scaffolding!
— Melanie Lilly, Nebraska
. . . and Some Recommendations
As we discuss plans for next year, my grade level will be discussing The Walking Classroom! We will be making plans on how to incorporate math by counting steps, or figuring out area or perimeter around the block. We will be planning poetry/writing/science activities and depth and complexity lessons. I LOVE and BELIEVE in this program! I have seen the positive outcomes it can have on a classroom!
— Dawn Rensel, Ohio
TWC is a fantastic resource for learning, movement, and tech implementation!
— Annette Durbin, Alaska
The content is excellent and the length of the lessons is perfect. I am thankful to have TWC in my Wellness room!
— Holly Peters, Texas
TWC is an invaluable program to our classroom. It provides enrichment and a unique learning opportunity.
— Kimberly Lynch, Massachusetts
I have enjoyed adding TWC to my schedule this year. I think it has provided my students with a vast amount of background knowledge and connected to our learning.
— Stephanie Carey, California
There now, didn’t those just make you smile?
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