Walkabouts Platform in the Special Education Classroom

The Walkabouts Platform, a web-based, whole-child active learning solution, brings movement into everyday classroom instruction. With pre-K to 5th grade lessons correlated to state and national standards, educators can seamlessly integrate physical activity and mental fitness into math, ELA, reading, science, social studies, financial literacy, and test preparation—helping students learn better and feel better. The platform includes Walkabouts for pre-K to 2nd grade, 180s for 3rd to 5th grades, Walksheets (PDF worksheets with a movement component) for pre-K to 5th grade, and Moves, short movement break videos for pre-K to 5th grade.

Brooke Malachowski, a special education teacher in South Carolina, does not use a set curriculum in her classroom. Instead, her students’ IEPs guide the teaching and learning. She reports that for her students, participating in Walkabouts Platform lessons:

• Reinforces body control

• Increases academic achievement, particularly in math

• Models social awareness skills such as interacting with and communicating with others

Malachowski notes, “A lot of my students have autism, so they need that social awareness.”

“Walkabouts has a lot of great resources and covers many different topics. In my class, I have different grade levels, so I use the resources through all of the grade levels. Walkabouts gets students excited for learning.” - Brooke Malachowski

Teachers who use the Walkabouts Platform with their students report:

• Reduced behavior problems

• Improved focus and attention

• Increased academic achievement

• Improved social awareness skills

A subscription to the Walkabouts Platform includes access to our Alternative Movement Guide which offers modified movements for students who cannot or do not feel comfortable completing the prescribed movements in Walkabouts, 180s, and Moves. Modifications should be offered to all students who need them, not just those with a disability.