The Walking Classroom has made our lives super easy! My students have limited science knowledge and are tested on it this year. Unfortunately, the year has FLOWN by and we haven’t had time to tackle the science topics to the best of our abilities. While I haven’t been able to teach science lessons, The Walking Classroom’s podcasts have made it possible for my students to learn science content!
We started reading a text from our Wonders series a few weeks ago about the moon. When I began asking introductory questions, I realized that my students’ prior knowledge of the subject was limited. This is when a podcast came in handy!
Instead of simply showing them pictures and telling them some facts, I used a walk as a great way to pre-teach! I used Suns, Stars, and Galaxies (4-#78, STEM-#26) to engage my students in the topic and give them some background information. They were THRILLED about the walk and learned more than if I had lectured them!
Not only do I use The Walking Classroom for an extra review activity or for preview, I have also used it as a research engagement tool. Many of my walks have included additional time at the end for students to research something they found interesting on the podcast. Providing this opportunity feeds their desire to learn and allows them to learn what they WANT to learn (within a structured topic, that is!).
The Walking Classroom has saved my life and my instruction this year, most definitely!
Megan Laird
5th Grade Teacher
Northern Elementary
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