The 7th annual Mix It Up at Lunch Day is November 13th, 2008. This event is sponsored by Teaching Tolerance, a project of the Southern Poverty Law Center. It’s mission is simple: “Mix It Up is a nationwide campaign that supports students who want to identify, question, an cross social boundaries that separate them from each other and help build inclusive, welcoming learning environments.” [Samantha Elliot Briggs, Mix it Up Director, Mix it Up at Lunch Day Brochure, 2008]. On Mix it Up Day, schools and students use creative ways to “Mix it Up” in the cafeteria, helping kids break out of their usual seating patterns and get to know new people.
The Importance of Learning Tolerance
Middle schools and high schools are places where students are often defined and define each other by the groups they hang out with. This practice often has the effect of limiting students’ options for friendships. Groups may reject kids who are not like them or avoid crossing clique lines to get to know other kids. This can foster misunderstandings, assumptions, and prejudices. Since the school cafeteria is often the place where these social lines are the most visible, Mix It Up at Lunch Day can be a very powerful activity with the potential to not only raise awareness, but change behavior, as well.
The Benefits of Mix It Up at Lunch Day
“In 2007, an estimated four million students in 10,000 schools participated in Mix it Up at Lunch Day” [Briggs, 2008]. Follow up surveys conducted by Quality Education Data found that “95% of respondents said Mix It Up at Lunch Day prompted students to interact with people outside of their normal social circles,” and that “83% of respondents said the event helped students make new friends".
Organizing a Mix It Up at Lunch Day Event
Resources and planning materials can be downloaded or ordered through the Mix It Up website. Planning materials contain ideas for promoting and publicizing your event, as well as creative suggestions for shaking up the seating arrangements in the cafeteria. There are also classroom activities that can be implemented before or after the event to promote reflection and discussion.
Opportunities for Student Activism
Children learn better in environments that are inclusive and respectful. Most students want their schools to be this kind of place but are unsure how to make it happen.
Mix it Up at Lunch Day provides plenty of opportunities for students to assume leadership positions and have a powerful impact on their school climate. Under the supervision of a few faculty advisors, student leaders can assume responsibility for planning, promoting and implementing a variety of Mix It Up at Lunch Day activities. Student generated activities will likely be even more powerful experiences for teens than those created by adults. Students can even check out the Mix It Up Grants Program for information about how they can apply for funding to implement their own ideas.
The variety of materials available allow schools and agencies to tailor their event according to their own needs, time restraints, and resources. With some planning and enthusiasm, Mix It Up at Lunch Day can start to bring about real changes in the way kids interact and create friendships.
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