Because of recent events and limitations due to the COVID-19 pandemic, students are having less and less time to be able to read. At Long Branch Elementary School, the children are only permitted a restricted time to visit the library, which could potentially cause them to show disinterest towards reading or potentially simulate lower academic success. Even with a pandemic occurring, it is critical that these students get the reading time that they need to keep their brain active. By creating an outdoor reading space where COVID guidelines are less restrictive, the children may be able to start reading more often. This reading space at Long Branch Elementary School would consist of a series of pages mounted on podiums, forming a pathway for a themed “book walk” along a nature trail. Not only would this activity allow students to be less restricted by COVID guidelines, but it would also get the kids to go outside and be more physically active. Studies have shown that physical activity can help an individual’s academic achievements, and children usually thrive when they get to go outside of the classroom. This project could be an activity that a teacher uses during their class time or it could be something that the students partake in instead of going to the library. The main idea is that this group experience will help students build on their motor skills and their cognitive skills, all while engaging the children in readings that will increase their overall academic success.
Keywords: COVID-19, elementary education, book walk, academic success, outdoor class activities