Walking Classroom Grant Program

The Walking Classroom Grant Program, offered by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation, enables classroom teachers in public schools to receive donated materials for their students. This innovative program promotes physical activity while maintaining instructional time through engaging podcasts. Ideal for grades 3-8, it enhances cognitive function and retention. Schools with the greatest need, both socioeconomically and academically, are prioritized, ensuring that all students can benefit from this unique educational approach.

Walking Classroom Program
The national award-winning Walking Classroom program provides students and teachers with an innovative way to get exercise without sacrificing instructional time. The evidence-based nonprofit program’s “Walk, Listen, and Learn” methodology capitalizes on the favorable link between exercise and cognitive function.
Perfect for students in grades 3 through 8!
The program can be used in:

• Classrooms
• Out-of-school time programs
• Summer programs
• And other educational settings
• How The Walking Classroom Program Works

The Walking Classroom program is simple: Students take brisk 20-minute walks as a class while listening to the same custom-written, kid-friendly podcast that comes preloaded on their WalkKit (audio player) or via our new mobile app. Each podcast begins with a brief health literacy message and includes a character value woven throughout the narrative. The lesson plans and quizzes in the available Teacher’s Guide help educators effectively discuss and review the podcast material.
Aligned to state standards, the podcast topics are appropriate for students in grades 3–8. Podcasts topics include English language arts, social studies, science, and more.
The positive link between exercise and cognitive function
In addition to the obvious health benefits of walking, there is much research confirming the link between exercise and cognitive function. Students return to the classroom in better moods, more focused, and more likely to engage in post-walk discussions. Teachers regularly report that after implementing The Walking Classroom, students retain the information better, demonstrate better behavior and engagement in the classroom, and perform better on standardized exams.
While all students benefit from the increased activity and educational content of The Walking Classroom, inactive children and children with low academic achievement stand to benefit the most. The Walking Classroom also provides teachers and out-of-school time professionals with an innovative tool to meet the needs of their students with alternative learning styles such as ADHD, dyslexia, and/or autism.
Apply for a Donated Set
The Walking Classroom is used in thousands of classrooms and after-school programs across the country. Teachers and out-of-school time facilitators who incorporate the program into their instruction benefit from:

• The opportunity to simultaneously improve the health and build the knowledge base of their students
• Free online training
• Free supplemental resources including videos, slide decks, online and downloadable activities, and more.
• Access to The Walking Classroom Blog, which provides teachers a platform to participate in a virtual Professional Learning Community to share best practices
• Free professional development opportunities (by request)
• Some fresh air and exercise each time they walk!

Eligibility

If you are a classroom teacher in a public school, The Walking Classroom Institute may be able to provide you with a classroom set of donated materials at no cost to you.Our program is best suited to upper elementary (grades 3-5) and middle school (grades 6-8) students. In fulfilling grant requests, we look for schools or sites serving those grade levels where there is the greatest need, socioeconomically and academically.