What is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
When is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
Can Mix It Up at Lunch Day really help my school?
Is Mix It Up for all grade levels?
What can I expect from students participating in Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
Is there a fee or any cost to participate in Mix Day?
Who sponsors Mix It Up?
Can I still get the packet with posters and stickers?
What is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
It’s a simple call to action: take a new seat in the cafeteria. By taking a risk, this one day, students can cross the lines of division in a safe, controlled environment, meet new people, and help build an inclusive and welcoming school community.
Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center, launched the Mix It Up program in 2002.
When is Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
This year, national Mix It Up at Lunch Day is Tuesday, October 29, 2013. However, you can organize a Mix It Up at Lunch Day anytime during the school year.
Can Mix It Up at Lunch Day really help my school?
Research shows that Mix It Up programming works. According to Mix Day organizers who responded to a 2008 survey conducted by Quality Education Data, the Mix It Up program produces powerful results:
- 97% said students’ interactions were positive during Mix It Up at Lunch Day.
- 95% said Mix It Up at Lunch Day prompted students to interact with people outside their normal social circles.
- 92% said Mix It Up at Lunch Day increased awareness about social boundaries and divisions within school.
- 83% said the event helped students make new friends.
- 79% said as a result of the Day students have heightened sensitivity towards tolerance and social justice issues.
- 78% said as a result of the Day students seem more comfortable interacting with different kinds of people.
Source: Mix It Up Survey conducted by Quality Education Data, 2008
Is Mix It Up for all grade levels?
Yes, students—and teachers—in any grade can participate in Mix It Up at Lunch Day.
What can I expect from students participating in Mix It Up at Lunch Day?
Student enthusiasm and participation, like with other programs, will vary. When students understand that they are being asked to join thousands of other schools in taking another seat at lunch—for just one day—they usually go along and come to appreciate the benefits almost immediately.
Is there a fee or any cost to participate in Mix Day?
Mix It Up at Lunch Day is a free program. There is no fee to participate and Mix resources available for download are free.
Mix It Up is a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center’s Teaching Tolerance program, which aims to reduce prejudice and improve intergroup relations in the nation’s classrooms and communities. Our programming, which includes an array of educational materials available free to educators, is made possible through the generous support of select foundations and caring individual supporters.
Can I get the packet of posters, clip art and coloring pages?
All the materials are now online for your convenience. Visit our page of downloadables.
