On typical walk days, when we return from walks, we talk about what we remember and write down key information in our walking notebooks. We then take the quiz orally as a class and discuss correct answers, distracting answers, and more.
On Fridays, I like to do the quiz using plickers as a way to check in on how EVERY student does with the questions. Tips: I don’t type in the questions. I just type in the podcast number and question number, i.e. 59-1, 59-2 … to save a lot of time. I project the quiz for all to see, read the question and answers aloud, and scan students’ plicker cards for their answers. Any student that gets at least 70% correct gets a sticker on a shoe cut-out displayed on the classroom wall.
I don’t take grades on the podcast quizzes, but I find the plickers quizzes are very motivating to my students. We have lots of great discussions about the questions. Using plickers also allows me to see if a particular question stumped many students and it gives me a chance to talk about those tricky questions more in depth, if necessary.
Once I even had a pick your own podcast day and in order for students to earn their sticker, they had to write a main idea paragraph about their podcast topic. They loved that, too!
I can’t take credit for either the plickers use or the sticker idea, as I found both on the blog and/or Pinterest! I just adapted the ideas for what worked in my classroom, and I definitely plan to continue their use!
Kari Lawson
4th Grade Teacher
Westwood Elementary
Such a great idea incorporating notebooks as part of the walking classroom.One way I have made students accountable is by having them give me a fact before entering the classroom.
I love the idea of a pick your own podcast day. The main idea paragraph response aligns well with the listening portion of the SBAC assessment. This would be great “test prep” for students without feeling like drill and kill!
Prior to using the Walking Classroom, I like to have a brief discussion about the topic that the students will be listening to while they walk. Then, after we are finished with our walk, it is interesting to hear the students share about what they learned. They get really excited to hear information they actually brought up in the discussion get confirmed when they are listening. Students also enjoy sharing the new information that they learned on the audio.
As a fellow The Walking Classroom teacher, I appreciate the idea of using Plickers as a fun way to administer the quiz. I do take grades on the quizzes as our state language arts standards focuses on listening skills as well as reading and writing. But, I modify the percentage score i.e. -1 = 95% etc.