Over 80% of our school’s population are living in poverty, and over 70% are English learners. Sadly, we lack the resources to make enough of a difference for these kids, all of whom are below grade level in most everything. Being able to take them out with our WalkKits gets them engaged in a way even my best in-class instruction cannot.
It doesn’t feel like school, and as their brains open up to new things, it has helped me engage them better when we are in class. The topics and questions presented via the podcasts have gotten them to think differently, to be more analytical and introspective. Not only are my kids moving and walking, but we have finally found a catalyst to help them begin to catch up and narrow the gap between their education and that of the kids in the wealthier schools.
I am absolutely in love with the Walking Classroom, and so are my students. Every Wednesday and Friday they ask me as soon as I see them if we are walking, which we always are. It may only be a small start, but these are kids who need to be taught to be excited about school. And who knows, sometimes a small ember can become a raging inferno!
Thank you so much! All kids, and especially ours, need positive things in life they can look forward to, and they love our walks so much it warms my heart to see them get excited.
Josh Montero
5th Grade Teacher
North Elementary School
I cannot agree more. The kids are begging to do walking classroom and the amount of content they pick up from the lesson is great. Rain, snow, or shine they want to walk and listen. I love that even my struggling readers are getting a good amount of knowledge and content from the podcasts…not to mention they are super focused.
I must agree that I love The Walking Classroom and the fact that our students so look forward to walking. The topics are great and keep our children engaged.