Beyond providing students with physical activity without sacrificing instructional time, The Walking Classroom provides other benefits. Educators over the years have shared how TWC supports social-emotional learning and helps develop character values. Here are a few of their comments.
Supports Social-Emotional Learning
The Walking Classroom has really helped with their stamina — listening and walking! I love how the program also has healthy choices and self esteem/social emotional lessons built in!
– Juliann Caveny, Illinois
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
The Walking Classroom lessons are geared to fit many of our learning standards and goals for social emotional learning in my district.
– Andrea Roberts, Pennsylvania
My class loves being able to go outside while we learn, and I am guilt free because I know we are practicing important skills such as listening comprehension, social emotional learning, tips for healthy living, grade level standards, AND we get to have an engaging discussion afterwards.
– Heather Haley-Baden, California
The affective piece of the Walking Classroom curriculum is invaluable right now. Many of our students missed out on some foundational affective skills early on due to COVID. This has become a problem for both their academics and their social-emotional well-being. Many of our students are behind and have been overlooked, and The Walking Classroom gives them some tools to achieve success.
– Jane Keen, Arkansas
Develops Character Values
I love how the podcasts cover academic standards, as well as character traits and SEL. My students love using The Walking Classroom program!
– Jessica Campton, North Carolina
The character and health lessons in each podcast also complemented our social emotional learning during class.
– Kathie Yonemura, California
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
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
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
Happy Trails!
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