This year I had a hard time walking due to some issues with my foot in a boot! So that my class could continue walking, I allowed the students to do one of three things. These variations were still safe, and my students thoroughly enjoyed the lessons.
Our school has a butterfly garden with a concrete path. Sometimes, I would sit in a place in the butterfly garden where the path was visible, and they would walk. Other times, when the students would ask if they could re-listen to lessons in our classroom, they would walk around in there. The third variation was using the loop on our second floor. The students would start at our end and walk around that loop too!
Finally, when I was in walking shape, my students led the way! My kids loved leading the class up and down stairs, snaking through the halls of our school, and going in and out of the buildings. I think they thought they were challenging me, when in fact I loved getting in my steps!
I did find that occasionally earbuds would either go missing or someone would make a “mistake” and use someone else’s, so I gave them each a baggie for the safekeeping of their earbuds. I personalized it by putting their name on it! That worked out quite well!
I absolutely loved the looks on my students’ faces after their walks! They were always so full of energy and had so much to share! What a wonderful tool to get my kids moving, learning, and smiling!
Olga Wood
5th Grade Teacher
Bentley Elementary
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