Air Quality Health Index classroom kit, grades 5 and 6, environment: chapter 21

Enrichment Activity

Organize a Walk to School Day at your school

The goal of a Walk to School Day is to get as many students taking alternative kinds of transportation as possible. Walking is one way, but cycling and rollerblading are also good.

• Identify safe routes to school and discuss essential rules for walking safely.
• Include cycling and other transportation alternatives.
• Discuss your ideas with the principal, teachers, and parents.
• Designate a day - perhaps during International Walk to School Week (early October), Earth Day (April 22) or Clean Air Day (first Wednesday in June).
• Set up a friendly challenge with another school or competitions among different classes.
• Make posters and take-home flyers. Be clear that young children must be accompanied by an adult.
• Ask parents to greet students who walk, take pictures and perhaps give out stickers or ribbons.
• Keep a tally of how many students come to school without driving, and how many students per class.
• Give out prizes to the winning class or school.