Staff Field Day Guide
Field Day Relays
Staff Coordination & Team-Building Guide
K-4 Division
Welcome Teachers & Staff!
Field Day is all about energy, laughter, and building strong classroom communities! These 6 relay stations are designed for maximum participation. Instead of competing classroom-against-classroom, **each individual class splits into two balanced teams** to compete head-to-head. This keeps groups small, activity levels sky-high, and classroom supervision simple!
The Golden Rule of Splitting Teams
To ensure a positive experience, do not let students choose their own teams. Instead, follow these steps before heading out to the field to create two equal, mixed-ability teams (e.g., Team Blue & Team Gold):
1
The "Zipper" Line-Up
Line students up by height, birthdate, or alphabetically. This naturally mixes physical abilities and friend groups.
2
Count-Off & Zig-Zag
Count off "1, 2, 1, 2..." down the line. Ones become Team A, Twos become Team B. Simple, fast, and completely unbiased!
3
The Ability Chemistry Check
Discreetly swap 1 or 2 pairs to balance out athletic stamina, sensory needs, or behavioral dynamics. Keep it silent and positive.
4
Claim Your Identity
Let teams select a unified nickname (e.g., "The Blue Dolphins" and "The Gold Pythons"). This instantly sparks friendly identity!
Sportsmanship & Teamwork Blueprint
Relay races can stir up high emotions. Use these active coaching scripts and protocols to set a supportive, cooperative atmosphere before, during, and after every race:
Pre-Race Mini-Briefing (Give this before the first whistle)
"Today, we have two teams, but we are still ONE classroom family. We measure success by our cheering, our smiles, and how we lift each other up if we fall. Turn to the other team, give them a high-five, and say 'Good luck!'"
Active Coaching Cue (Use when a team is falling behind)
"Look at Team A cheering for their teammate! Team B, let's join them and cheer extra loud to help them finish strong! The race isn't over until the very last person finishes, and we support everyone!"
The Post-Race Handshake Ritual
"No matter who crossed the line first, both teams meet in the middle for a 'Tunnel of High-Fives.' If your team won, your job is to say 'Great effort!' If your team came second, say 'Thanks for the fun!'"
Field Day Relays Package • Staff Guide Page 1 of 2
Rotation & Setup
Class Logistics & Volunteer Coordination
Staff Action Plan
Master Rotation Schedule (1-Hour Block)
Each grade level spends exactly **1 hour** on the field! We rotate through all 6 stations simultaneously. Every station session is exactly **10 minutes long** (8 minutes of active relays and 2 minutes to clean up, celebrate, and rotate).
Circular Rotation Flow: Classes move in order: **Station 1 ➔ 2 ➔ 3 ➔ 4 ➔ 5 ➔ 6 ➔ 1**. On the double-whistle, clean up your gear immediately and lead your class to the next station in sequence!
| Station / Rotation | Time Segment | Activity & Rotation Rule | Classroom Focus (Kindness & Fun) |
|---|
| Session 1: | | | |
| Sponge Relay | 9:00 AM - 9:10 AM | First Race block! (8m race + 2m rotation). Class at Station 1 rotates to Station 2. | **Kindness Focus:** Congratulate opponents with high-fives before moving. |
| Session 2: | | | |
| Monster Walk Race | 9:10 AM - 9:20 AM | Second Race block! (8m race + 2m rotation). Class at Station 2 rotates to Station 3. | **Encouragement Focus:** Support classmates with "You got this!" cheers. |
| Session 3: | | | |
| Pizza Box Relay | 9:20 AM - 9:30 AM | Third Race block! (8m race + 2m rotation). Class at Station 3 rotates to Station 4. | **Fun Focus:** Celebrate dropped boxes as silly moments; laugh and restack! |
| Session 4: | | | |
| A Day at the Beach | 9:30 AM - 9:40 AM | Fourth Race block! (8m race + 2m rotation). Class at Station 4 rotates to Station 5. | **Inclusion Focus:** Ensure every child gets an equal share of run-time. |
| Session 5: | | | |
| Quick Change Relay | 9:40 AM - 9:50 AM | Fifth Race block! (8m race + 2m rotation). Class at Station 5 rotates to Station 6. | **Kindness Focus:** Cheer as loud for the opposing team as your own! |
| Session 6: | | | |
| 3 Legged Race | 9:50 AM - 10:00 AM | Sixth Race block! (8m race + 2m wrap-up). Class at Station 6 rotates back to Station 1. | **Sportsmanship Focus:** Run a giant whole-class tunnel of high-fives! |
Classroom Teacher Role
As the classroom teacher, you travel with your class. You are the chief culture-builder!
- Travel with class; champion **sportsmanship, kindness, and fun**!
- Actively model, lead positive cheers, and encourage high-fives.
- Gently adjust running order so every single student shines.
Station Volunteers Role
Volunteers are stationed at the designated areas to handle equipment and guide play.
- Explain rules cheerily with a focus on safety and laughs.
- Signal start/stop using clear hand motions alongside the whistle.
- Instantly reset setups so rotation timing stays perfectly on time.
Quick Conflict Resolution Guide
Q: One team is smaller due to absences.
A: Have one or two runners on the smaller team go twice so total runs are identical! Do not leave students sitting out.
Q: A student drops equipment and gets upset.
A: Pause the race block briefly, lead a whole-group "You got this!" chant, and let them pick it up and continue with pride.
Field Day Relays Package • Staff Guide Page 2 of 2
Station Rule Posters
01
Sponge Relay
Station Guide & Instructions
Wet & Wild!
The Splash Challenge
Saturate your giant sponge, sprint to the dry bucket, squeeze out every drop of water, and race back to pass it off!
🧽💦
Equipment Needed
- 2 Giant car-washing sponges
- 2 Water-filled buckets (Start line)
- 2 Empty buckets with Fill Lines (Turn)
- 2 Bright boundary cones
Station Setup
Fill start buckets to the brim. Place empty target buckets at the turning cone 15 yards away. Draw a bold black "FILL LINE" halfway up the target buckets.
How To Play
1
First player dunks the sponge into the full water bucket at the starting line, making sure it absorbs as much water as possible.
2
Sprint carefully to the empty bucket at the turning cone. Use both hands to squeeze all the water out of the sponge into the bucket!
3
Sprint back and hand the sponge off to the next teammate. The first team to fill their target bucket up to the **Fill Line** wins!
Teamwork Challenge
The "Splash Squad" Cheer: Every time a teammate squeezes their sponge, the entire team sitting behind the line must yell: "Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze!" as loud as they can. Let's hear that energy!
Field Day Relays Package • Station Posters Station 1 of 6
02
Monster Walk
Station Guide & Instructions
Goofy Stomp!
The Mighty Monster Squat
Hold a soft playground ball tight between your knees, make giant "monster hands" in the air, and stomp-waddle to the cone and back!
🦖👹
Equipment Needed
- 2 Soft, medium-sized playground balls
- 2 Turning cones
- Masking tape / chalk for start line
Station Setup
Place starting markers side-by-side. Place the turning cones 10-12 yards away (keep it slightly shorter to match the slow, hilarious monster waddle!).
How To Play
1
Place the ball between your knees. You must keep it squeezed tight—no using your hands to hold it once you start moving!
2
Raise your hands, curl your fingers like claws, and let out a fun "Rawr!" Stomp and waddle to the cone and loop back.
3
If the ball drops, freeze! Pick it up, put it back between your knees, and continue from that spot. Pass the ball to the next player.
Class Relay Scorecard
Class Scorecard
Field Day Stations & Sportsmanship Log
Track Your Team
Class/Teacher:
Grade Level:
Team 1 (Blue) Name:
Team 2 (Gold) Name:
How to score: After completing a station, the classroom teacher or station volunteer awards points based on both completion and behavior. Circle a **Sportsmanship Badge** (Heart = Kindness, Smile = Fun/Positivity) for each team!
No.
Station Name
Team 1 (Blue) Points
Team 2 (Gold) Points
Stamp
01
Sponge Relay
Wet & Wild Splash Challenge
Score:
Score:
02
Monster Walk Race
Funny Ball-Squeeze Stomp
Score:
Score:
03
Pizza Box Relay
Tall Box Stack Deliveries
Score:
Score:
04
A Day at the Beach
Pack Bag & Dress Up Sprint
Score:
Score:
05
Quick Change Relay
Funny Outfit Dress Up Relay
Score:
Score:
06
3 Legged Race
Double Team Coordinated Walk
Score:
Score:
The Classroom Relay Pledge
"We pledge to encourage our classmates, shake hands after every race, respect our volunteer judges, and prioritize fun, safety, and cooperation over winning."
Team 1 Captain:
Team 2 Captain:
Field Day Relays Package • Class Scorecard Page 1 of 1
