Mix and Mingle

Inclusive Welcome
An inclusive welcome is a brief, interactive experience that brings the voice of every participant into the room, making a connection to one another and to the work ahead, with each perspective-laden, culturally rich voice being heard, respected, and learned from.
Description

Participants move around the room or connect in a virtual space to share ideas with a partner or small group. Mix and Mingle starts with identity as participants reflect on their own experiences, moves to curiosity about others in the group, and builds a sense of belonging and agency by encouraging participants to interact with each other while valuing everyone’s thinking and voice. The debrief provides an opportunity for the facilitator to invite reflection on their collaborative problem solving and the verbal and non-verbal contributions of the group.

When and Why

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Mix and Mingle is appropriate for times when a group is just getting to know one another and/or adding new members. The substance and style of the prompt will set the tone for the activity. For any group, it can energize the room with movement and connections. In a virtual platform it can add novelty to the space as participants go in and out of open-access breakout rooms. 

How to Facilitate

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  1. Reflect on the current contexts, demographics of participants, and the purpose of the engagement. Determine how the room can be set up to safely accommodate participants moving quickly around in the space. 
  2. This is a lively activity featuring movement and conversation. You’ll want to establish an attention signal before beginning the activity.
  3. Invite participants to think about or write down a response to a prompt that is related to the topic at hand. If the group is just getting to know one another, begin with low-vulnerability prompts such as, “What did you do for fun yesterday?”, “What have you read or watched recently that you enjoyed?”, or something connected to upcoming work like “What’s one thing you know already about (or are interested in finding out about) _______?”
  4. When you announce, “Mix and mingle!” and turn on music, participants move around the room.
  5. When the music stops, participants will find a partner near them and share responses for two minutes. Encourage everyone to be mindful of equity of voice. (Assist with pairing as needed.)
  6. Partners each share their response to one of the questions, listen actively to each other, and then ask follow-up questions as time permits. 
  7. Start the music again and repeat the sequence for another round or two, as time permits.
  8. Debrief with the whole group by asking one or more of these questions: 
    • What were some of the things you appreciate about doing this activity? 
    • What was challenging about it? 
    • What SEL skills did you use?

Modifications

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  • This same activity serves well as an engaging strategy when the group needs to hit the “refresh” button or re-energize, using prompts that relate directly to reviewing or understanding session topic or academic content.
  • Mix and Mingle also works as a closing activity. Provide a prompt that draws on the content, experience, and/or process of your engagement.
  • In a virtual environment, use breakout rooms and participant choice if possible. Determine the appropriate number of breakout rooms for pairs or trios. 

References

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Adapted from Engaging Schools

How does Mix and Mingle support SEL?

Self-Awareness/Identity:
Participants have an opportunity to understand their own emotions, thoughts, and values and how they influence behavior across contexts. Facilitators consider their own and participants’ identities in the design of the practice.

Relationships/Collaborative Problem Solving:
Participants have the opportunity to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships within the group and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups. Facilitators create an activity where participants can build a shared understanding and work together to come to solutions by pooling knowledge, skills, and efforts.
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