Mix-It-Up Lunch
Mix-It-Up Lunch
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At Erie Elementary School, we take community building seriously. This means that from the start of the school year, we encourage conversations about feelings, conflict resolution, family culture and traditions, making mistakes, etc. These classroom conversations are the foundation of a safe, inclusive, welcoming school.
Even with this continued support, we all get comfortable with our social groups and sometimes we just need to MIX-IT-UP!
During the week of March 5, we hosted an event called Mix-It-Up at Lunch. When students entered the cafeteria they were randomly assigned a table each day. It was possible that some of their good friends were at their same table. It was possible that they did not have a strong connection with any of the other students at their table.
Students were encouraged to learn something new about their peers. They were encouraged to try a new game at recess or play with a new friend.
Conversation starters were presented to students in grades 3-5 and all grade levels explored questions that might help us learn about another person in addition to practicing using follow up questions and comments to move the conversation along.
Meeting new people can bring up lots of feelings for kids. This can feel uncomfortable. We can feel worried, anxious or scared. Some of us feel excited and calm. Others might feel frustrated at having to participate in something new and different. All of these feelings are okay and students are supported throughout the event.
Not only do we prep before the event and allow students to process their feelings about the unknown, after each lunch, teachers allow time to process student experience as well, in addition to support during the event.
For most students the Mix-It-Up event pushes them out of their comfort zones in a manageable way and offers opportunity to meet new friends who share similar interests.
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