We have our field day and spring picnic all in the same day and the kids really look forward to it. the entire school (k-6) is involved. We always hold it the last Friday before the end of the year.
In the morning, we do the field day and our gym teacher sets up "game" stations out on the playground and the classes come out in shifts. We need LOTS of parent volunteers that day and while our parent involvement is "scarce" through out the rest of the year, they never let us down on this day.
Then after lunch, PTO sets up their stations, we have face painting, craft stations, popcicles, cotton candy, more game stations and each child is given one ticket for each of these stations.
At 2pm, the 6th graders then have a softball game against the teachers. IT'S A GREAT TIME.
This year, we've raised more money than ever before so we're renting a moon bouncer, dunk tank and a 12 foot blow up slide.
We wanted to keep everything a surprise for the kids but our gym teacher was so excited, he couldn't keep quiet and told the kids during their gym classes LOL LO LLOL.
On our Fall Track and Field, it's held in the grassy area behind the elementary school. The PE teacher lays out a rectangualr field defined by stakes (3-4' tall) and rope. On the long sides of the field, the "spectator sections" are also defined with rope and stake, so each class has an area just big enough for it's 20 or so students and a designated area in which to sit.
Some classes drag out their chairs; others just sit on the ground or stand. But basically each class stays in its cheering section along side the playing field (with their teacher) until it's their turn to compete. So all attention is focused on the games and it's pretty easy to control the coming and going of the kids.
I really like the orderly way it's done and that there aren't just groups of children scattered everywhere. Even though the games themselves are funny and silly, there's a focus to the event.
And like Venzmama, I'm glad our Fall event allows for any child to be successful and have fun - not just the athletic ones.
Our event like this is called the "Color Games" and each team is a designated color. They come to school and part of the competition is which team has the most of their color on...we're talking clothes as well as hair, faces, etc...some kids really get into it. Each team is a mixture of the 1st-5th graders and we play games similar to those posted above. Our middle school and high school mixes to have what they call "Rainbow Games" and they are both similar in style. The older kids just have harder games. Most of the events are glorified family picnic type games, but it allows even the most non-athletic child to compete and possibly win. I think that field days should be more about working together and having fun, then competing at difficult games and being dissapointed at the end. Everyone should win something! :cool:
We have two Track and Field days. Fall T&F is a zany event usually held on Halloween. Grades 2-5 participate. It's a very well organized competition of fun games with a Harvest or Halloween theme. Lot's of relays. A mummy wrap where the kids race to wrap their teacher in bathroom tissues. Pumpkin races where they carry a big pumpkin. Wagon races (littel red wagons) etc.
Spring Track and field is the more formal variety. Again, only the older grades either 3-5 or 2-5 (but all students in those grades). The kids are bused to the nearby high school stadium and compete in traditional track events.
Both take a tremendous effort on behalf of our PE teacher and the kids practice the events in PE for days/weeks before. The PTO helps with volunteers, refreshments, and sometimes pays for one or two subs the day of and the day before to free up the PE teacher.
At our school we have play day for grades K-2 and then field day for grades 3-5. Both are 1/2 day events and is run by the gym teacher with the help of the Fitness committee. The gym teacher from another Elem. school in our district comes out to help too. For field day, each student can sign up for three single events (broad jump, basketball toss, 100m sprint etc.) and then one or two relay races with classmates.
There's also class tug of wars. Since we have two classes of each grade, that works out well. At the end of the day there is a water ballon toss for the teachers. The kids love that and all classes cheer on their teachers. There's an announcer that gives the results of the race right after she gets the information and another person hands out ribbons for 1st, 2nd and 3rd place. Most kids get at least one 1st place ribbon. Our PTA pays for ice cream treats at the end. The kids look forward to it. Quite a few parents come out to watch and help. Definately wouldn't call it amazing but not something I would put my time and effort into changing.
