This post is part of our Walk This Way series, designed to share The Walking Classroom experiences of teachers and students across the United States. It provides a glimpse into Britnee Reid’s middle school science classroom.
Implementing The Walking Classroom for the first time this year with my seventh grade students has already proven to benefit to my students. They enjoy the ability to get moving outside and learn in a completely different format than what they’ve participated in previously. Podcasts are new to their middle school experience, and the response has been overwhelmingly positive.
Some Students Share
I will let the students speak for themselves about how the program has gone for them so far this first half of the school year:
- They keep me moving (and not stuck in the classroom). The Walking Classroom is a great way of learning! – Lila
- It is a lot more fun learning when we are walking around listening instead of sitting in class. It is also a lot easier to remember what we learned when we are walking and getting exercise because we sit in class being bored a lot, so it’s nice to have a break but still be learning. – Annabelle
- I love being able to get up and be active while learning instead of just taking notes in the classroom. – Katie
- Now we get to go outside and learn at the same time! The Walking Classroom makes me want to go to school and learn more about science. – Regis
- WalkKits combine exercise and education. I think they will help us a lot over the school year. – Cameron
- I love Walking Classroom, it gives me time to learn in peace. It really helps me understand the topic more. – Grace
. . . and This Teacher’s Take on the Program!
Considering purchasing The Walking Classroom to use in your own classroom? I can tell you from my experience that the podcasts are informative, easy to understand, and entertaining. And, The Walking Classroom helps students who may have different learning styles.
I continuously hear from my students that getting fresh air and moving outside while learning helps to keep their attention so much more than sitting in a classroom taking notes. While there is still a time and place for a more traditional class look, The Walking Classroom allows me to reformat the structure of my class periods in a way that helps to meet the needs of all of my students.
Getting Started
In order to get started this year, I labeled the cases and kits to safely keep up with them, and I also asked for extra AAA batteries at our open house. I then allowed students to become familiar with the different buttons and functions of the kits. Most of our students today are very tech savvy so this didn’t take long at all, and we were then on our way with our first walk!
At the beginning of the year, afternoons reached 90+ degrees outside — just a little too much heat to walk in for 15 to 20 minutes. We soon established an indoor walking path that we have as backup for inclement weather days. As the weather has cooled off, we now walk the perimeter of our school building, which takes approximately 2.5 laps around to complete a full podcast.
Some Simple Steps to Keep in Step
Students know that for each walk we will have a leader and a caboose. Everyone stays within these two ends of our line.
As other teachers have seen us walking the building and outdoors, they have become interested in what we are doing. A few are looking into getting a set for their own classroom use!
If you’re considering The Walking Classroom, I am here to say firsthand that my seventh graders love them! They look forward to seeing “The Walking Classroom” on the board with a podcast number listed, as they know we will soon “hit the trails” to learn in a unique way!
Britnee Reid
Seventh Grade Science Teacher
Cramerton Middle School
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