This year was a bit more challenging than our last year. Due to our very strict COVID-19 requirements in our state, using our Walking Classroom devices was impossible. However, with that being said, I did utilize the podcasts via the web. I would play two a week when we had Zoom classes. It wasn’t ideal, but I still wanted my class to be a part of this amazing program.
I have used The Walking Classroom with seventh graders and with first through fourth graders, and they have all loved it! When I taught my middle school students, I would always give three options for the upcoming week. I wanted them to have some type of ownership. For their Friday exit ticket, they would vote on a podcast. I would then design my upcoming lessons around the podcast information.
I also would ask the science and social studies teachers what topics would be within the month. That helped me select the choices students voted on. Sometimes my students went into their science and social studies classes with background knowledge of the given topic. The teachers told me how much more engaged the students were in responding to questions and sharing thoughts. I recommend and tell teachers and principals about this program every chance I get.
It was clear how eager my previous students were about The Walking Classroom. I saw it in their excitement when they would see the sign “Walking Classroom Today!” hanging on our door when they entered the classroom.
I will never leave The Walking Classroom out of my lesson planning. I am eagerly awaiting next year, so that my students can have the full (fingers crossed!) use of my devices. Happy Trails!
Toni Armijo
Second Grade Teacher and Walking Classroom Ambassador
Mountainair Elementary
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