Walk This Way: On the Trail with Mrs. Keen’s Class

My first encounter with The Walking Classroom was at a conference for gifted education in Denver. As an avid podcast consumer, a lightbulb just went off in my head when we went on a walk. It was so beautiful out, surrounded by mountains, a fresh breeze on my face, and these unbelievably articulate children were talking to me about poetry. I was floored!

Perfect for My Students

I knew right away how perfect the program would be for all students, but especially students at a Title I school in my district. I teach gifted education in Arkansas, and one of the schools I work with has over 76% free and reduced lunch and over 50% minority populations. They are the type of students who are always in trouble for being out of their seats, and traditional education often does not fit their needs. The Walking Classroom seemed like it was tailored to them! We shot for the stars and applied for a grant, and are so grateful to The Oak Foundation for allowing us this learning opportunity!

In our state, third grade is the first year students are tested for science. I have been working with this grade to develop talents and improve science test scores. We have incorporated several hands-on STEAM activities and The Walking Classroom to help make this happen, and are hoping to see statistically significant growth in the science achievement of our students.

Storing the Program Materials

The WalkKits (that is what the podcasting systems are called) arrived in nice cases, and we were sent a pair of earbuds for each student. We set out organizing them so that they would be easy to use and share. Our WalkKits are shared amongst all three third grade teachers in our building. They each have a day where they get the kits and then sign up for additional times that week.

There were some good organizational resources on The Walking Classroom’s website, but we decided to see what was available to be used in our building first. One of the teachers had a hanging pocket organizer that wasn’t being used, and the WalkKits fit! We labeled the box that the WalkKits came in and the WalkKit itself with a number. Then, we placed the corresponding number on one of the pouches.

When we get back in from our walks, students put the systems back in the box and then put the box up. We found what was available and what worked. I feel certain that if you have limited funds, you will be able to find something, too.

I also purchased bead organizers for the headphones. These are relatively inexpensive at local craft stores or online. We have since put extra batteries in the larger spot. Each student already had a number given to them by their teacher.

These numbers correspond with the number for the WalkKit that they use AND their headphone number. The teachers keep the headphones in their classroom and students are responsible for returning them to the box when walks are completed.

Planning a Path

Next, we chose a route that was safe and easy to facilitate. There were actually a number of options available for walks. The recess area has a small track, but we wanted to find another route that would be removed from the distraction of students out on the playground. There is a sidewalk which circumnavigates the building. I walked it once, and it seemed perfect. It is safe, removed from the road, and relatively free from distractions. This is where most of our walks take place.

Getting Started

I took the kits into each classroom, distributed headphones, and introduced students to the program. The Walking Classroom has some great resources available for implementation, and I digitized some of these things into a google slideshow. Feel free to make a copy of this slideshow and use it! We practice walked the route without using the systems first to help students get used to the idea.

For our initial walk, we listened to the first podcast, which introduces students to the program and talks about safety and other things they need to know. When the episode was finished, we sat in a circle outside and unpacked what we learned.

We discussed what it was like and how excited they were to learn this way. Students said they had never done anything like this before and they begged to do it again! How exciting that The Walking Classroom has them pumped up and asking to learn!

Jane Keen
Gifted and Talented Facilitator
Asbell Elementary

Look for more Friday posts to follow Mrs. Keen and her students as they walk, listen, and learn through the school year.

And, be sure to check out how the program is being implemented by other teachers in future Friday posts!