#4thchat Archive
#4thchat is a hashtag for teachers or anyone to talk about educational issues relating to 4th grade. Using #4thchat will create a network of 4th grade teachers or teachers working with 9-10 year olds across the world. We welcome anyone who 1. teaches 4th grade 2 .Works with 4th grade students and or 4th grade teachers 3. Likes 4th grade teachers (Groupies are encouraged).
Monday October 10, 2016
Welcome to everyone. Please intro yourself & let us know where you’re tweeting from! Nancy from Mass. Happy Columbus Day!
Laura Fenn from Chapel Hill :)
Hello tweeps. Excited to learn about Walking Classroom with creator and guest moderator Laura Fenn. Paula here from New Orleans.
Terry Erickson from Minneapolis.
Hi Laura! We are beyond thrilled that you are joining us tonight! :)
Hello everyone! Jas here from Boise, Idaho USA
Welcome to , Laura. Can’t wait to learn about your program Walking Classroom tonight.
I am excited and honored :)
Hi Paula - Hope you had a great weekend! Being by the lake sounded beautiful!
Hi Jas and Nancy. Glad to be here for tonight.
Hey Terry!!!!! So good to see you here! :)
It was gorgeous because the weather was perfect.
Hey folks! Just ducking in to say hi. We've got parent teacher conferences tonight. Enjoy the chat!
Hey, hey, Bill. Glad to “see” you here for . How’s the family?
I was thinking the very same!!!!! Hope all is well.
Hey Billy!!!!!! Seriously Miss you!!!!
Hi Nate. Glad you could duck in. Good luck with parent conferences.
Elizabeth from CO joining in - in between watching the Red Sox…
Will miss you Nate - but you can check out the archive - I know you’ll find it interesting! Good luck tonight!
Hi, Terry. Glad to have you back for friend.
This is going to be a hard chat to moderate as I’m trying to root for my SOX tonight!!
Hi Elizabeth. Glad you can do both.
I”m going to try - nervous about the Sox, though!
What's going on with your socks??? :)
Q1: What are some other ways you bring movement/exercise into your class?
A1: I do brain breaks regularly. I also got a mini tramp for the room this year.
Q1: What are some ways you bring movement/exercise into your class? https://t.co/YD7VGWMxO2
Q1: What are some other ways you bring movement/exercise into your class?
I just saw you Q come by. What a great Question, Nancy!
A1: We take brain breaks or CATCH breaks. The Ss love using for this.
Wow! Do you let the kids choose when they go on - or do you invite Ss?
Yes, we use this as well.
A1- We just dived into flexible seating this yr & we're all moving so much more!
It’s open season once I set boundaries at the start of the year. Going very well.
Hi Friend! Glad you made it!
A1: Hey all! Jenn from Baltimore, we do often, but also move around to work on math activities/read in book nooks--
A1: I also instituted some standing stations in the back of the room using bed risers and extra desks.
HI, Hayden from Augusta University about to start my student teaching
Q2: Have you heard of The Walking Classroom?
A mini tramp?! What a fabulous idea! 💡 I will make it ky mission to find one!
Hi, Erica.Did you have the day off? We did in . Got a lot done.
Love it! I’m sure it really helps so many Ss.
I got mine on Amazon! Kids LOVE it! Once newness wears off, those who need it most use it most.
Flexible seating is a must these days. The Ss really enjoy it & need it.
. No, hoping to learn about it tonight from Laura Fenn and you.
I have 5 - and could use another 5. It was far better received than I anticipated.
Hello Hayden and welcome to . Are you student teaching in 4th?
Hi Jenn! More & more we are trying to get our folks moving- aren't we.
A2-Haven't heard of yet, hoping to learn more tonight!
Hi everyone, coming in a little late from WI
We use the Culturally Responsive Teaching strategies that includes movement learning activities. https://t.co/OFjnjTaQGx
Hi Kim - perfect timing! Just introducing Laura Fenn, from
Cause they're gonna move no matter what--we just have to figure out how to channel that movement :)
Will look forward to checking that out! Thx for sharing.
So True! Well, listen as shares her story! https://t.co/2Inilh28Z7
Cause they're gonna move no matter what--we just have to figure out how to channel that movement :)
A1: I like the idea of using songs for the students to get up and move around to. 4th graders love to dance.
Hello, all! So happy to be here and SO GRATEFUL for all the hard work that teachers do.
How did you come up with the idea of The Walking Classroom?
I agree - I use a lot of sign language and movement to songs through the day as well. https://t.co/W72NzOrOCn
A1: I like the idea of using songs for the students to get up and move around to. 4th graders love to dance.
Yes, I am having serious withdrawals since we don’t do our Sunday GHO anymore. Miss y’all.
We are so happy to have you with us tonight Laura! is a GAME Changer https://t.co/vA5HCqbOKE
Hello, all! So happy to be here and SO GRATEFUL for all the hard work that teachers do.
I was a teacher for 10 years & kids were getting less recess & PE time. Convinced my principal to "let" me take Ss outside ..
...as long as they were listening to my recorded lessons. Wrote grant for mp3 players & we were off! Instant hit.
I had never heard of this. Sounds interesting!
. Spent my day off working on things for and the LACUE Conference.
5 years later, we're an award-winning nonprofit program with about 50,000 kids around the country walking, listening & learning :)
Im actually doing my student teaching at the high school level, but I'm interested in teaching 4th grade.
Please explain how your program works.
TWC is really so simple...I think that's why we've been so successful.
So you did an audio “flipped” class while incorporating walking. Brilliant idea.
Entire class listens to same pre-loaded podcasts that align with CCSS. Good weather = walk outside. Bad = walk inside
What about manipulatives, materials, etc? Tell us more! ;)
Amazing! 50,000 kids moving 2 or 3 x per week…lots of great work for mind & body! https://t.co/J8TQ6eBu9E
5 years later, we're an award-winning nonprofit program with about 50,000 kids around the country walking, listening & learning :)
How will your certification read? Curious because there is such a difference between HS and elem.
Podcasts are about 15 minutes long & basic format is students & their teacher having a convo. Your students "eavesdrop" on lesson
Hey all, jumping in for a bit tonight! Feels like I haven't been here FOREVER R!!!
Back in class, teacher's guide provides discussion questions that focus on social/emotional learning & comprehension quiz
Love having you join us. And you have been missed. Hope all is well w/ your Ss and your family.
Last year my class went outside as long as the path was clear of snow & puddles! We logged in over 30 miles
Im getting my degree in special education therefore I will be certified to teach K-12.
So great! It's fun to set a distance goal at the beginning of year & see where you end up
Sorry but I have to get to the nitty gritty...what do they play the podcast on?
Are there any audio samples available? I've tried to access a few to sample but have been unsuccessful https://t.co/P818CbaYBd
Podcasts are about 15 minutes long & basic format is students & their teacher having a convo. Your students "eavesdrop" on lesson
What are some of the podcasts that the Ss listen to while walking?
did you do one of the podcasts from the site?
Yes - audio samples are available on our website.
. Love that Ss can walk while listening to recorded lessons on iPods no matter what the weather is.
My Ss love listening to the other ‘student’ voices. They like learning from their peers! https://t.co/eAPKMK3mWe
Podcasts are about 15 minutes long & basic format is students & their teacher having a convo. Your students "eavesdrop" on lesson
Podcast topics include Revolutionary War topics (Boston Massacre, etc.) Science (hurricanes), and trad. ELA (poetry, biographies)
Each audio player "WalkKit" comes pre-loaded with over 100 podcasts! Enough to last the entire school year
So provides the podcasts or are you searching online for them?
How did you manage to log over 30 miles? Thats awesome!!
Ah, I see. Good luck with your student teaching experience.
sounds like easy "buy-in" from the Ss for that very reason.
The podcasts come pre-loaded on audio players that don't do anything else but play educational podcasts! No uploading or download
Who is behind these podcasts and what curriculum are they following?
The Walking Classroom has PRE-loaded WalkKits.
Another nitty gritty...how much? Sorry.
The podcasts were written by teachers and recorded by real teachers and students -- we're about as authentic as you can get!
It's one of the most awesome things I did with my 5th graders! AND Mrs Fenn even Skyoed with us once!😀 https://t.co/i5AVkIbPKE
Love nitty gritty :) Each audio player is $125, so a class set of 30 is about $3700 -- BUT we encourage applying for donated sets
Thinking of doing a competitive next wk for my observation. I’ll be in touch.
Schools can purchase the materials & we ship out right away...if no $, teachers can apply for granted set from us & we ask for $ :)
Thank you for that info. How are additional podcasts added to the player?
Mrs. Fenn skyped w us last year-the Ss were in AWE!! They couldn’t believe she was really talking to them
New audio is not added to the player...content is not topical. Audio devices can be used year after year :)
I applied for a donated set & didn’t have to wait that long. Could be a project too. https://t.co/u6mkz7DvE8
Love nitty gritty :) Each audio player is $125, so a class set of 30 is about $3700 -- BUT we encourage applying for donated sets
Thanks, Jerry. You are always right on top of things. Hugs.
Yep mine had same reaction! Like talking to a celebrity! 😎
Hi Kim! Thanks for stopping by :))
I can't seem to find a list of all podcast topics you offer on the website. Where do I find that?
What are the benefits of The Walking Classroom?
TWC has many benefits -- oxygenate brain, engage different learning styles & cover curric. while getting some fresh air!
And it's just fun -- kids don't even realize how much they're learning. They're just happy to get out of the classroom!
How true! Does the "novelty" of the idea wear off? Any experienced users answer.
Thanks for all you do for kids! Great to see the program highlighted with these great peeps!
How long did it take? About a year?
Time zone got me tonight. Looking forward to learning more. Interesting topic!
Don't want to speak for any veteran adopters, but teachers always tell us how much their kids love prgm thru the whole year
The variety of the podcasts are so interesting to the students! there’s something for everyone.
Yes - we started last October & we walked average 2 to 3 times per week right till June. (about 1 mile each time)
What kind of topics are available. Don't see a list
Home page of website says "Teacher Resources" -- list of podcasts there
Topics: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Idioms, Setting; lots of biography: Gabriel Fahrenheit;
I'll be happy to touch base after the chat & get you what you need :)
Science, ELA, Social Studies - Lots to choose from https://t.co/UQbsaMHYVZ
Home page of website says "Teacher Resources" -- list of podcasts there
Love that safety reminder at the beginning of the podcasts.
How do you tie the podcasts to your curriculum? Or are they random?
What are some challenges teachers might face with The Walking Classroom?
Topics R interesting but need to tie them directly curriculum in hope of getting district grant
Thank you! Always a reminder at the beginning :)
Topics are all aligned with ELA CCSS -- standards also listed in each lesson plan
Each podcast starts of with a health/safety tip that ties in nicely with the podcast. https://t.co/pqKFnKsKJB
Love that safety reminder at the beginning of the podcasts.
Challenges! Time is always the biggest challenge, but once students get into the routine, they get their act together quickly
I have to go.Thank you and moderators for chat.Can't wait to investigate. Love the idea!
Thank you and ! I love learning about new and innovative programs! Look forward to exploring this further.
I find a podcast that is related in some way to what we are learning in the classroom-so many to choose from-it’s easy.
An average Walking Classroom lesson takes about 35 minutes, and veteran teachers tell us it's the best 35 min of their day. really!
There are so many to choose from it’s hard NOT to find enough to tie in w/ what you’re doing
This is the first time I have heard of . I will definetly be sharing this with my peers and professors at AU
We try to walk first thing in the morning. Last year we had to change & move to mid-morning. I do steal so… https://t.co/lX9r0ZUhSK
Challenges! Time is always the biggest challenge, but once students get into the routine, they get their act together quickly
Have 4 4th grade classes in my school so we could share them. Right?
Good to see you again, Terry - Come back next week if you can! :)
We're a simple, but powerful program started by teachers for teachers. 25 year veteran tchr told me this was best thing she's seen
Thanks for joining Jenn! You are always an inspiration to us here at
This looks like a fun and engaging way for my students to learn. Looking forward to investigating .
YUPPP! :) https://t.co/jSXf4zFbjJ
An average Walking Classroom lesson takes about 35 minutes, and veteran teachers tell us it's the best 35 min of their day. really!
Thanks for sharing! https://t.co/MAxaqnlrxx
We're a simple, but powerful program started by teachers for teachers. 25 year veteran tchr told me this was best thing she's seen
Absolutely! We encourage teachers to share their materials. Kids need own earbuds -- otherwise...yuck
Our Ss had to bring in their own earbuds for the last several years. We don’t need any YUCK. LOL
This 27 year veteran feels the same! - No Kidding! https://t.co/lDaCScqJZ5
We're a simple, but powerful program started by teachers for teachers. 25 year veteran tchr told me this was best thing she's seen
So your school owns one set? And this is your 2nd year using the program? Great to know I can contact you about it too.
We {heart} you, ! Your students are so lucky to have you & we're honored to be among the resources you choose
Definitely a cool idea! So glad you introduced it to us tonight.
Yes! Actually Owns a “STEM” set - she applied this year.
When other classes see us walking - they want in! Can’t blame them. https://t.co/1WmbD5ZDS0
Definitely a cool idea! So glad you introduced it to us tonight.
Have you been asked about - What if my child/student is not an auditory learning? Then what?
In the last 5 years, we've donated more than $2.5 million worth of equipment :) More demand than funding, but we're trying!
I applied for a donated set and never heard anything back. 😩 https://t.co/iyvW6zAEVo
Love nitty gritty :) Each audio player is $125, so a class set of 30 is about $3700 -- BUT we encourage applying for donated sets
I pair podcast with other learning opportunities. I did PRE/Post tests & 90% of Ss always did better
How long is the typical wait for grants? At a Title school & as you know, money is not easy to come by.
Sure -- learning while walking not a learning style match for all, but fresh air will benefit nonetheless
If applying for a donated set, how do you know if you are being concerned? How long do you wait?
Great question! I feel that I might struggle as well, sometimes I need to write stuff down! :) https://t.co/eb6GYQWYT0
Have you been asked about - What if my child/student is not an auditory learning? Then what?
Wait time varies our funding is lumpy. We are ALWAYS trying to get more $$ so we can donate
Hi, Christy. Glad to know another user of . Sounds like you highly recommend too!
We contact teachers within a week after they apply...then wait begins. Sometimes 2 wks, usually longer
That’s true. Wish we could be loan a few to test out.
Oh no! I will check our records -- you should at least have received a note letting you know you were on wait list...
At our school, we would only be able to walk around the school grounds. Do other schools just do that too?
Yep! Classes walk around the school, parking lot, block, walking trail, whatever! Rural, urban & suburb
I asked Laura to join tonight becauseI really feel her Walking Classroom is a GAME CHANGER! Thank you for joiningus
Virtual applause to and our special guest moderator, Laua Fenn, from for tonight’s . Bravo, ladies.
We walk around our school 2 to 3 times each walk. Kids love it - they’re outside!
This was great -- thank you so much!
Go forth and have an awesome week tweeps.
Missing our I know she’d be an adopter of :)
Thank you for sharing your knowledge with us tonight. What a great program, I'll be looking into it!
Thank you for joining in tonight! Hope to see you next week!
thank you all! Looking forward to researching this idea
Glad you were able to make it tonight. Hope you’ll join us next week same time :)
Thank you for sharing about TWC with today. Love the concept and will definitely look into using with my Ss!
Thanks, Nancy. Great job with tonight’s . Missed our other minion .
