Develop the Concept
Develop the Concept
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Use the What's Your Why table to guide development of your event concept. Use a bottom-up review strategy to work backward through the table. In many cases you will use your event to illuminate a new perspective on an existing problem or strategy. Develop your concept by using a new perspective.
After you have systematically worked from education initiative through desired outcome and reflection, put it away for a bit. Walk away and shift gears. Set your mind to something else and come back to develop the concept on another day.
Consider your wonder statement, your big “What if…” and take mental or physical notes of the response to your initial plans. Engage in conversation with colleagues, friends and family to understand other perspectives and record all suggestions, even if and especially if they seem in direct opposition to your initial big idea.
Consider your wonder statement, your big “What if…” and take mental or physical notes of the response to your initial plans. Engage in conversation with colleagues, friends and family to understand other perspectives and record all suggestions, even if and especially if they seem in direct opposition to your initial big idea.
Use whatever tool or method works best for you. If you are printing this playbook, margin notes and sketches are a great tool. Comments or digital sticky notes if you are using an online version will work as well. Don’t just listen and nod. Definitely don’t get annoyed when they can’t see the magic of your flawless plan. Record all comments in a meaningful and useful way. Your are starting with your close colleague or support system, but you are going to pitch this to many more people before it finally happens, so start recording objections, concerns, and alternate ideas now… they may prove to be gold later!
When you are finished with this exercise, you should have a marked up mess of a table. Reflect on the conversations you just had and begin thinking about the format of your event.
Reflect
If you can pull off this event, what will the participants know, be able to do or be thinking about after the event? Is it the same for all participants? What will teachers, admin or para-educators know, do or think about? What will students know, do or think about? Will families or the community be aware of or involved in something as a result of this event?
Considering Formats
Considering Formats
School community events can take many forms and serve many purposes. The format of your event is limited only by your imagination, but it is important that the activities you plan and the overall format of your event makes sense for your intended purpose, audience and environment. The table below provides some examples of events and describes the purpose, format and audience.
Some suggestions for event formats:
Some suggestions for event formats:
- Expos, Fairs, Open House and Showcases
- Scavenger Hunts, GooseChase, Task List
- Competition, Olympics, Science Fair
- Conference, Seminar, Workshops
- Auction, Fun Run, Coin Drive
- Read-A-Thon
- Swap Meet, Exchange, Share Out
- Festival, Field Day, Concert
Sample Event Schedules & Layouts
Sample Event Schedules & Layouts
2017 OVES STEMfest
2017 OVES STEMfest
OVES STEMfest is a 5-day all school event that happens in common areas during the school day. Classes participate in 3 festival-related activities each day as well as lunch, recess and some class time. This event is designed around high stakes testing for some grades. Classes of testing grades complete the tests in the morning and have a festival schedule in the afternoon. Classes of non-testing grades have a festival schedule in the morning and have optional classroom extensions or return to teacher-planned lessons in the afternoon. This can work for self-contained classes or classes operating on a modified block schedule.
Family Fitness Night GooseChase (Virtual Event)
Family Fitness Night GooseChase (Virtual Event)
This virtual event was created as an adaptation to an annual event. Instructions for accessing the activity via the GooseChase app on students' devices were shared with families. The event was shared via email and Class Dojo with school families using graphics and flyers. Use this link to access a copy of this virtual event.
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