As an IB student, I never get to go outside. I’m stuck inside all day and even kids not in the IB program only get to see the sun occasionally via gym class. However, I’m not arguing for gym class for everyone because I understand it’s not cohesive with the IB curriculum and frankly, it’s not everyone’s favorite class. What I do think everyone would enjoy is a field day.
The tradition of field days dates back to 1889 and for a good reason. It’s a day to get outside and have fun with your classmates without the constant weight of your schoolwork looming above. It’s a day for parachutes, color wars, musical chairs and more.
Field days are a celebration of childhood, a homage to the carefree qualities of our springtime and a time to simply be a kid. Spring used to be my favorite season as a child, with everything in bloom and beauty everywhere. Now instead of associating spring with sunshine and flowers, all I can think about is exam season. Spring is the prime time to play outside and enjoy the weather before Florida turns into a giant oven, yet we spend the entirety of it locked up in classrooms.
So often now, kids rarely choose to socialize with their fellow classmates outside of their designated friend circle. Field day provides the opportunity for collaboration amongst students and shared camaraderie towards a common goal along with much-needed time outside. The time outdoors promotes physical fitness and well-being, a message IB kids often miss out on due to the lack of physical education.
Sometimes, the lack of physical education can also lead to students missing the vital qualities of cooperation, communication and sportsmanship. Field day helps teach skills that cannot be taught in a classroom and can actually improve students’ ability to focus. Regular breaks and physical activity are shown to improve students’ attention rate and well-being. Field days would make a more balanced learning environment, educating the entire student, not just their academic abilities.
There are concerns about the depletion of instruction time and inclusivity of the activities. Field days would only be once a year, so instruction time should not be a problem because we can use one of the extra days allotted for IB training or team building. As for the activities, because not everyone is open to such physical activities, the activities can vary. They don’t all have to be races or tug of war. Some can be as simple as trivia or a scavenger hunt. Additionally, at Robinson, we have a large expanse of space available for a fun field day. The Bobby Hicks Park is a beautiful area available for everyone right across the street.
I believe the case for field days at Robinson is quite clear. We have all the materials available and the benefits are unlimited. Not only do they promote physical health, cognitive development and social-emotional learning, but they also give students a much-needed break from their academic life. It’s a chance to have fun and enjoy the outdoors for a day with your fellow classmates.
