The Walking Classroom has been a wonderful addition to our curriculum. We aim for at least one walk a week, and the students beg for more. It has even helped to bridge a home-school connection — students have taken turns having their dogs join us for the walks!! This has been great because it makes the walks so meaningful to our families! After two years of remote, hybrid, and learning disruptions, this has been a favorite activity to re-engage students back into learning.
One of our favorite walking classrooms was on “Yankee Doodle” (4-#57, Complete-#68). In this podcast, students learned the historical significance of the song, and how it was important to the Revolutionary War. I even learned the historical significance of this song! I never knew that “macaroni” referred to Italian fashion! This podcast really helped students to understand our social studies unit on the Revolutionary War, as well as some of the tension that was displayed between Loyalists and Patriots in our novel study, Chains.
While all of my students have benefitted from Walking Classroom, I have noticed some of my diverse learners have benefitted the most. One of my students with behavioral challenges will work extra hard to earn a Walking Classroom walk. A student who struggles with health and fitness has noted the benefits. And all of my students come back from a Walking Classroom lesson with more energy, ready to focus, and with valuable new learning.
Gretchen Rolston
Fifth Grade ELA and Social Studies Teacher
Lincoln Elementary
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