Beyond providing students with physical activity without sacrificing instructional time, The Walking Classroom provides other benefits. Educators over the years have shared how the program develops character values and supports social-emotional learning. Here are a few of their comments.
Develops Character Values
My school uses the Second Step Curriculum for Social Emotional Learning and the character value lessons in the podcasts worked fantastic with them, as well. Learning about perseverance, responsibility, and overcoming struggles is critical for students of all ages if we want them to become productive citizens.
– Stephanie Marquez, Georgia
Hearing other students engage in conversations about healthy living allows students to hear a representation of their voice and in language they can easily understand. The conversations are meaningful, and help to bring awareness to issues that would not normally be discussed in class.
– Carmichael Henry, North Carolina
It is a neat program because it adds an extra element that none of our curriculum has. The Walking Classroom combines science/social studies with health and character development.
– Shelly Friszell, California
I select podcasts to reinforce and enhance a unit we are studying either in social studies or science. The students walk with their small group up and down the long hallway as they listen, then return to the classroom to take the quiz. This rotation has taught self-reliance, self-discipline and perseverance.
– Julia Zamarripa, Colorado
Every podcast we listened to was a delight. The character education components students heard on the podcasts were echoed by me in the classroom. The material I chose was relevant to our learning and to their lives. The activity was always good for the children.
– Julie Pirtle, North Carolina
I love how there are so many topics to discuss with the character values. We have learned so much from these podcasts and getting the kids outside to pair exercise and learning has been so much fun.
– Connie Michael, Montana
The Walking Classroom allows my students to exercise, learn tips about healthy living, gain values to practice, as well as building background and learning many different topics while having fun.
– Anne Martin, New Jersey
Supports Social-Emotional Learning
It’s such a beautiful thing to see eyes opened to bigger things, all while promoting physical, emotional, and academic health.
– Faith White, Arkansas
The Walking Classroom played an important role in my classroom. It was used not only for educational purposes, but also for SEL, mindfulness time, and a much needed outdoor mask break for my students.
– Erin Malmborg, Utah
We are a Title I school where many of our students are lacking in sufficient school supplies and also supportive resources at home. the students I see on a daily basis come to my Storm Watch class, a time for remediation in reading. All of my students are capable of listening to a podcast and participating in the discussions which improves their confidence and social skills as well.
– Laura Aldridge, North Carolina
It is so important to focus on ways to help kids learn along with focus on their emotional health. Getting the kids outdoors for these walks has done that . . the lessons have worked out perfectly for us to be able to match them with the current lessons we are doing. You not only have helped my kids, but you also made my job a little easier!
– Amy Strube, Nevada
Not only does the program offer students exercise and fresh air, but it also is especially effective at equalizing access to information. While some of my students live in environments where information is organically shared, not all my students receive this type of reinforced education. Thus, the activity naturally fosters fairness and equitable access of information. Additionally, the exercise improves the social and emotional wellbeing of each student while positively impacting the ability to learn.
– Betsy Vorster, North Carolina
I am so thankful to be able to offer our students The Walking Classroom . . . our program is a grant based program that serves at-risk children. Many of our students do not have a lot of support for a healthy lifestyle, or a lot of help with their school work outside of school and our program. To be able to give our students another way to learn material is truly a blessing!
– Jennifer Hardy, North Carolina
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