"Welcome to the Zoo" Field Day
November 19, 2009

Carlson's annual field day event includes significant characteristics of our applied-learning program so that it, too, reflects Carlson's unique culture. For example, every year fifth-graders work closely with our physical education teacher, Adrienne Taylor, to identify a field-day theme and plan the events accordingly. Fifth-graders also act as team leaders, encouraging their multiage teams of K-5 students to compete and play in an atmosphere that places a high value on the pleasure of active, cooperative participation, where winning isn't everything. So Carlson's field day allows for a remarkable degree of student leadership, and it occurs in an atmosphere that is focused on playing hard and having fun.

This year, Adrienne and her fifth graders gave field day a zoo animals theme, and it was an exceptional success thanks to their imaginative planning, many parent volunteers' help with setup and supervision, and the students' eager participation.