20 Top Tips for a successful character parade
Claim the date early
Plan for first thing in the morning so costumes are not ruined at or by recess fun, and can be removed so children can participate in other activities throughout the day.
Determine whether 'character' refers to just books, comics, television shows, movies or Internet games or all of them or just one. Ensure parents, students and teachers are aware of the parameters.
If you are limiting it to book characters (which is traditional) decide whether you will allow Disney or other character costumes that are commercially available because many parents don’t have the time/skills/money/interest to make something. Remember if you disallow them many children will not be able to participate.
Ensure that children know that homemade costumes are perfectly acceptable so they don't think only store-bought are allowed/desired.
If you have a range of ages, perhaps even including the pre-school, consider guidelines so that costumes (especially from the older students) are not too scary. You don't want the parade ruined because a little one is screaming in fear.
If you are limiting it to books, consider requiring the child to carry the book on which their interpretation is based.
Consider a whole-school theme based on a genre (perhaps historical fiction) or place (such as underwater characters) or even a subject (such as sports). Or if not a whole-school theme, then perhaps a class-theme based on their studies at the time.
Consider allocating or having teachers/students select one book, perhaps from the shortlist, as the theme for the whole class to interpret. Means the book has to be well understood, allows for lateral thinking and avoids having 50 Cinderellas or Batmans.
If you do decide on one-class, one-book but don't restrict it to the shortlist, make a list of suggestions for each year-level to give teachers a starting point. They may not be as familiar with children's lit as you are.
Avoid prizes so those without parents or without parents with the time/skills/money/interest are not marginalised. It is not a contest for the parents.
If a child comes without a costume, decide whether they parade with the class (often looking embarrassed and unhappy) or whether they just remain part of the audience sitting with a class not parading yet.
If you know that a child is unlikely to have a costume for whatever reason, invite him/her to make a hat or sandwich board with you at lunchtimes or get a group of volunteers of senior students to start a regular costume-making activity at lunchtimes in Term 3 for those students. We all know who they are. Set aside some budget money so it can happen because THAT is what the child will remember rather than shelves full of resources.
Use some of the activities (below) as preparation so students are doing more than dressing up and the parade has greater meaning. It becomes a culminating activity to a meaningful study.
Have loud, clap-along music as each class parades in a circle around the others who are the audience. Get someone who knows their children’s literature to spruik to add atmosphere
Consider making it a mask, a hat, a headband, or a sandwich board parade and make the making of these the art curriculum for the first part of Term 3 so everyone can be involved.
Ensure that teachers get in the spirit and dress up too, even, if like me, they hate fancy dress
Year 5/6 will often bow to peer pressure and think this is babyish and uncool (although secretly they would love to be involved) so give them a chance to be involved in the organisation, helping younger students make or wear their costumes, making advertising posters, being junior journalists, being in charge of the music selection and delivery, whatever is on offer to give them responsibility, ease your workload and making it a whole school event.
Invite parents and the local media (including your local free suburban newspaper) because it’s all advocacy for the teacher librarian’s role. Let them see their child having fun so they see their efforts are worth it.
Keep the purpose of children having fun clearly in focus – it should not be a competition, no student should be marginalised and it should be all about the laughter.
Here are some easy ideas to share with parents.
Make it Meaningful
If there is a theme show students how to locate books related to that theme, fiction or non fiction. This could offer meaningful use of the OPAC.
If two students want the same book, how can they resolve it between themselves?
Have each start a journal/scrapbook of their Book Week journey so there is a record of their investigations for reflection later.
Take a photo of the book cover and write a caption that records why they have chosen that particular book.
If a non fiction title is chosen, have them record why this is a special topic for them at this time.
Is there a fiction title that can be paired with it?
Have them demonstrate their understanding of the story/topic by designing a new cover including title, author, illustrator, publisher and blurb. Many back covers include a few words of review from prominent people so encourage the student to add their thoughts in about ten words.
Have them choose the character/creature/object that they will represent in the parade and draw who/what they see that character/creature/object looking like in their imagination.
What are the key physical characteristics?
Does the character wear a special costume that is essential to the story?
Are there special props that the character has/uses that are essential to the action in the story?
Consider the character's character.
What is it that draws them to this particular character? Do they see themselves in the character?
How will they interpret these characteristics in their costume?
if they have chosen a creature or object what are its key features that need to be interpreted?
Have them note the characteristics and why they are drawn to this character in particular.
Expand the drawing to become a diagram as preparation to creating the costume.
Show them examples of diagrams with labels and insets and enlargements of particular elements so these can be used as models for theirs.
What will they need to make and how will each item be made?
How much will it cost to make in its 'perfect' form? Is this value for money? Who will pay?
Can they repurpose. recycle/reuse everyday objects to make the job easier and keep costs down?
What materials/tools will they need to gather before starting?
Will they need assistance from an adult?
Convert the diagram to a list of ordered instructions that can become a checklist to tick off. Add the diagram, instructions, and checklist to their journal/scrapbook.
Design, make and appraise the costume. Photograph it and make notes about what was easy/tricky/impossible.
What would they do differently if they were to do it again?
Take a photo of the student in the costume holding the book it is inspired by. Have them record why they chose to portray this particular one in the parade. and reflect on their experiences.
Display a copy of the photo with the book to inspire other students to read it
Have the student broaden their reading horizons by creating an If you like this then read... list to share with others.
As a class, reflect on the total experience.
How did it enhance, enrich and engage them in the Book Week parade experience?
How did it enhance, enrich and engage them in the book they chose,
How could the experience be improved next year?
More than a Costume
Give students an opportunity to get creative by considering other representations. . Decide on the format of the characters such as
puppets - made from spoons, toilet rolls, paper bags or other easily-accessible materials
sandwich boards
hats or headbands
masks
silhouettes
costumes
pictures
new book cover
dioramas
Create a playlist of suitable music to accompany your parade. There are a number on platforms like Spotify already.
Have students build a photo frame like this one from Cas Piggott so students can have a memory of the day, year and theme.
Staff Costumes
The Day the Crayons Quit
Where is the Green Sheep?
Where's Wally?
Where the Wild Things Are
Harry Potter - wizards