How to Survive Elementary Field Day

Running in a field day event

The highlight of the year for many kids in elementary school is the end of the year field day. This consists of games, events and competitions that everyone can participate and enjoy. Surviving a field day as a parent or teacher can be hard. Just follow these few tips for a great day!

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• field equipment for games
• volunteer list
• lawnmower
• equipment to mark the field

1. Make friends with the leaders of the Parent Teacher Association. This networking can prove invaluable when trying to find enough volunteers to man every game at every grade level. There are never enough volunteers. Having adults run each and every game is absolutely essential for safety. Once three to four hundred kids our on the field, things can get chaotic.

2. Find fun games that are age appropriate. Also, these games need to be able to be played without a lot of explanation. There won't be a lot of time to teacher the parent volunteers. Go with simple, active games.

3. Mow the field the day before. Spray for bugs. Mark the field for all the games.

4. Make a list of all equipment needed for the different games and different age groups. Put in boxes, so that all equipment is together and can be easily carried.

5. Make a list of what grades are playing what games. Include teacher's name and volunteers' names. That way you can have a 2 minute meeting with the parent volunteers and tell them what to do, or you could have a handout sheet with instructions.

Tips & Warnings

• Step back and enjoy your work.

• Check resources for games and activities

Resources

• http://www.pecentral.org/lessonideas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=1784
• http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/lesson/lesson315.shtml
• http://www.nea.org/lessons/tt080512.html
• http://teachers.net/gazette/MAY02/russo.html