Schools are busy places, with lots of things competing for
attention. Based on input from hundreds of schools during the past decade of
Mix It Up at Lunch events, success is best achieved when you can build momentum
leading up to the day—and carry it forward through the rest of the school year.
But how do you build that momentum? Here are some ideas:
- Start with an air of
mystery. Make posters that ask, “Are you ready to Mix It Up?” Post
them around the school, a few at first, then more and more. Maybe even
have a handful of key players make T-shirts that ask the same question; they
can all wear them on the same day. Ask teachers to place the message on
their classroom white boards. Then, after several weeks, start to reveal
what Mix It Up is, involving more (and varied) students in the planning
efforts.
- Mix up the planning group. If
the theme for the day is to Mix It Up, imagine the power of having a
“mixed up” planning group. Seek out unexpected student leaders, people who
have influence with various groups at school. If a varied group of
influential students are seen supporting the event, others will follow
more readily.
- Use a multimedia,
multi-pronged approach. YouTube, Twitter,
Facebook. Video, audio and website announcements. Posters, poems and
performance art. Announcements at school sports and music events. A skit
about rigid lunch groups at a school assembly. The more ways you get the
word out, the better participation you’ll have.
- Do something unexpected.
One school actually changes the layout of the tables in the cafeteria for Mix
It Up at Lunch Day, mixing the room up even before students Mix It Up.
Going with the “air of mystery” theme, the day you put the “Are you ready
to Mix It Up?” posters in the cafeteria, you could also rearrange the
table layout—to get people thinking. Another idea? Plan a flashmob during
lunch using a song tied to your Mix It Up theme and involving students
from varied school groups.
- Bring Mix into the
classroom. We offer dozens of lessons and activities
geared to all grade levels and multiple subject areas that will help you
gear up for the big day. Check them out on our website .
Mix It Up at Lunch Day is Oct. 30!
Questions about Mix
It Up? Ideas for Mix It Up organizers at other schools? Other thoughts? We
welcome feedback–and can respond to questions–on Facebook or Twitter .
You can also browse our free Mix It Up resources online.
