This post is the first in this year’s Walk This Way series, designed to share The Walking Classroom experiences of teachers and students across the United States. It provides a glimpse into Toni Lehman’s classroom.
A Walking Classroom Ambassador and fourth grade teacher, Toni is in her ninth year using The Walking Classroom. She has been working in education for nearly forty years!
The Final Walk
It is true. The final walk will be here in a few short weeks. This year I worked to plan our walks in tight precision with our curriculum. Honestly, this was the easy part.
The tough part was making difficult choices of one podcast over another given the constraints of fitting them into the time a unit of study lasts. We also balanced that with giving our students some opportunities to self select based on their own interests.
“Genius Hour”
In my classroom, students are able to have protected time each week for something we just call “Genius Hour.” Students pick their topics, their partners, their final products, and I support each with supplies and technical support.
When a project is “done” then it is shared with the class by the individual, partners, or team. This year I have noticed that kids have also done some of their research by using the podcasts. That was pretty exciting!
The Students Share . . .
Here’s what my students had to share this month:
- “The thing I like about Walking Classroom is it includes learning and exercise in one, even if you didn’t get PE.” ~ Freja
- “I like that Walking Classroom tells me things I never noticed or heard before.” ~ A’laiah
- “Walking Classroom was amazing! It helped me calm down, and I learned new stuff.” ~ Lyra
- “Walking Classroom was a breath of fresh air after a long day of school!” ~ Cynthia
Nine Years of Walking
The Walking Classroom has walked with me for the past nine or so years. Sometimes we have sprinted, and other times we have dawdled on our way. The content never fails to inform, enrich, encourage more questions, and spike our interest.
Thank you to the Walking Classroom for this wonderful opportunity to share our journey this year. We have loved this time together.
Happy Trails to all!
Toni Lehman
Fourth Grade Teacher
McDougle Elementary
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