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.
