While we will be sharing our findings from the year-end student surveys later this month, we thought you might like to hear what educators using our program have to say too. Enjoy this sampling of comments about the program’s benefits from the open-ended questions on the teacher survey.
Mood-Enhancement and Behavior Improvement
The increased engagement while being outside encourages students to behave and focus so they can participate again.
– Kim Ellison, North Carolina
Students are able to focus more in class and their physical activity helps their overall development.
– Wendy Guzman, California
It allows us to have special quiet and calming time, while also adding movement and learning. It is nearly impossible to engage in all these things any other way.
– Sharon Doverspike, Pennsylvania
The Walking Classroom has been amazing for our kids’ self-esteem because it’s not a competition.
– Robby Burnette, North Carolina
Students are more relaxed after physical activity.
– Meghann Seril, California
The Walking Classroom releases that pent-up energy that kids get throughout the day.
– Kristina Morton, Michigan
Health Benefits and Health Awareness
It is great to get them up and moving. Not only does it engage them and get them more involved, but is so healthy.
– Kathleen Butler, California
It’s an easy way to incorporate physical activity and curricular content simultaneously.
– Liz Taylor, Pennsylvania
Besides the fact that students thoroughly enjoy the walks and all that they learn, the physical activity helps them focus better and feel good too.
– Paula Venable, California
Trust in Content
I think the content in The Walking Classroom has brought new and diverse topics that would have not otherwise been possible.
– Sherry Young, Alaska
It keeps them motivated and it enhances the curriculum so that they are broadening their horizons.
– Barbara Watson, Florida
We are an afterschool program, so this a great time to connect the students to content they may need for the future or strengthen knowledge they already know.
– Melanie Dill, Iowa
All students have access to the same content, especially those who are low readers. Exercise + Content = Success.
– Adriana Smith, California
We hear about a variety of subjects in a way that encourages students to make connections to prior knowledge.
– Shauna Hamman, Arizona
Discussion Booster
Discussion about the material leads to more personal conversations.
– Nikolette Bennett, North Carolina
Discussions on the podcasts are genuine conversation starters . . . It opens up the discussion about these topics and increases interest.
– Andrea Gonzalez, California
Students are totally engaged during our walks. They remember facts and stories from that podcasts that adds to our learning discussions.
– Kari Lawson, Tennessee
The Walking Classroom uses technology to generate discussion and educate students on various topics. It allows me to reinforce topics that we have either covered or have been covered in other classes.
– Chris Hill, North Carolina
Differentiation and Learning Styles
Many of my kids who have difficulty reading or learning in a more traditional way LOVE The Walking Classroom because they’ve discovered they learn well auditorily.
– Kathie Yonemura, California
I could always find a podcast on TWC that could tie into our lessons. It was another way to reinforce a concept — especially to reach different learning styles.
– Debra Prudhomme, Massachusetts
I love how the walking classroom meets the needs of various learning styles. There are some students who do not perform well on written school activities but love to learn by listening and discussion. The Walking Classroom allows them to really shine and be leaders in the class.
– Melanie Lilly, Nebraska
We use The Walking Classroom as our “listening to reading” component of our guided reading. Students’ listening skills appear to have improved after using TWC consistently.
– Randi Amador, California
Students with dyslexia are able to hear grade level content they would not be able to read independently.
– Nancy Brewer, North Carolina
I have used the program as an intervention tool with a struggling reader who responded successfully to auditory learning. His scores on the comprehension quizzes increased and his knowledge of content in the areas of social studies and science increased as well.
– Mary Hooks, North Carolina
Some of the podcast content is not in our books the way it is presented on the podcast. Sometimes a different perspective or way of hearing information makes all the difference.
– Amy Allen, Colorado
. . . and Some Other Insights
The Walking Classroom has allowed the students the opportunity to get out and get more physical activity while still meeting Common Core Standards. It also has allowed them to hear information from other sources rather than just me. They enjoy hearing from people their own age.
– Mandy Rodriguez, California
Especially this year, I have several students who are ADHD and on the autism spectrum. The movement provided by The Walking Classroom definitely improves their ability to focus in the classroom.
– Trecia Shales, Illinois
Many of my English language learners and lower readers have amazing memories when they hear the information. It levels the playing field since some of my better readers are not so strong in their listening skills.
– Joy Poole, Texas
It allows my students who need more movement in their day to achieve that while still learning the content I am teaching. It is diversifying the way we teach and learn today!
– Krystle Eilen, Minnesota
By now, you’re ready to get back to walking listening, and learning! Happy Trails!
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