On May 24th, students participated in McKinley Elementary School’s annual Field Day – but with a twist! This year, all of the events were inspired by the book The One and Only Ivan, by Katherine Applegate, who visited McKinley earlier in the month.
Following the success of McKinley’s school-wide read-aloud of The One and Only Ivan and author Katherine Applegate’s visit, health and physical education teacher Megan Olinger worked in collaboration with librarian Lauren Strohecker to coordinate, plan, and host a literature-themed Field Day. In connection with the school’s “One Book, One McKinley” initiative, all of this year’s field day events were inspired by the book The One and Only Ivan, incorporating reading into one of McKinley’s most popular events. In this way, students practiced teamwork, sportsmanship, and athletics, all while celebrating reading and bringing some of the most memorable moments of Ivan’s story to life. It was a lively and fun-filled day for all!