Over the past year, The Walking Classroom has become an integral part of my classroom curriculum here in Minnesota. Being in the Midwest, we often have weather that hampers our ability to be outside. As often as we are able though, we are outside where we fit in in some walking, listening, and learning!
Our typical classroom routine is that I will introduce a topic in the classroom. Then, my students and I will listen to the podcast as we walk around the block. Afterward, we’ll either gather in our outdoor classroom or in our homeroom and take some time to debrief on the topic.
Some podcasts have direct ties and fit in to what we are doing in the classroom while others are supplemental to what we’re doing. Either way, The Walking Classroom has been an awesome way to get fresh air while not feeling like I’m missing out on instructional time.
On days that we use the program, I notice that my students are more relaxed and focused. They love getting outside and comprehend much more than they do when they’re reading from a text or listening to me.
The Walking Classroom has also made a difference in my students’ activity level. When we’re headed outside for a walk, I usually set the exercise function on my watch. Once we finish, my students always ask how far we were able to get. For the record, for my fourth graders, one podcast takes us about a mile!
Kristen Rafferty
4th Grade Teacher
Carondelet Catholic School
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