OK--now I feel bad about the "lame" comment! I used it because OURS is, and at best is a waste of time. It's promoted as this huge ATHLETIC event, and it's a lame version of a family picnic. If it was promoted as a "Fun" event, I'd still say it left a lot to be desired. I'd rather it was promoted as a FUN event to promote school unity and community--then I'm ALL for it!
I still want to know what you all do! Don't let my stupidness prevent you from posting! I would like to see this event be a real morale booster and spirit builder, and would greatly appreciate EVERYONE'S input!
Our field day committee is made up of 2 or 3 TEACHERS - which is great!! PTO provides funds and lunch for volunteers. It goes all day long with different grade levels participating at seperate times. We do have some lame games at one station (it is more geared for the K-1st grade-what can you do - they like it) There is a relay race station where same grade classes compete against each other and we rent the big blow up bouncers and slides. The highlight of the day in my opinion is at the end of the day when the teachers compete in relay races on scooters, bouncing balls, dribbling basket balls etc. The kids love it!! Good Luck!
Everyone participates in our Field Day. No one gets left out at our school (until this year's talent show, but that is a different story!). We have tug-of-war, 2 kinds of meter dashes, grass sack races(my fave!), softball throw, and the PE dept has these things that look like extremely large skis that a team gets on, they have to pull up to walk and they race with another team. It is funny to watch because it is challenging and the kids really get into it. We have had sponge relays and water balloon tosses in the past for the last couple of years the weather has not been cooperative and our principal likes to incorperate our annual cookout on that day too. We are a small school of around 430+/-, so that makes it so everyone can participate, you will usually have at least one per class that does not want to get out in front of everyone.
Now that I'm reading about your track meet days, I'm feeling kinda lame, too!
I'm at two K-6 schools that both work pretty much the same way for field day--it runs for about 4 hours or so, and all the grades participate. I'd say it's mostly family picnic type stuff--water balloon toss, tug of war, relay races, that type of thing. It's overseen by the PE teachers, but I think each grade level comes up with their own activities. And parent volunteers are there in droves to help out....
Do all grades participate? What events do you have? Who's responsible for organizing/refereeing events?
I ask because our school's seems...lame, at best. It only goes for a couple of hours, is loosely organized and more along the lines of events you'd see at a family picnic. I need to show what other people do to make it an awesome experience for the kids.
My only experience is from my school days. Only fifth graders from the schools in the district competed against each other, and it was run like a bona fide track meet. It was a big deal, and everyone looked forward to finally being able to compete in it. Then in Eighth grade the two Middle Schools compteted against each other, and again it was run like a track meet. They were a lot of fun, and very exciting.
I used it because OURS is, and at best is a waste of time. It's promoted as this huge ATHLETIC event, and it's a lame version of a family picnic. If it was promoted as a "Fun" event, I'd still say it left a lot to be desired. I'd rather it was promoted as a FUN event to promote school unity and community--then I'm ALL for it!
