Karaoke Lunch Party

Karaoke Lunch Parties are one of the simplest and most effective programming ideas I've had this year. And actually, credit belongs to a student, because I was trying to think of a new experience as part of our Schoolwide Reading Challenges (in the fall, we have a Crafts and Treats Party for reading challenge participants, and after winter break we have a Cookie Decorating Party for reading challenge participants). My student library aide loves singing, and suggested a karaoke day. I also love singing, and realized this would be an easy way to invite students in to the library on a regular basis, so karaoke lunch party was born.

I already have a significant number of students who visit the library with passes during our three lunch periods. I bought a basic karaoke machine with two microphones, and, with student support, created a simple slideshow with links to karaoke music on YouTube. Karaoke is the kind of thing that grows - so while only the bravest volunteers will take the microphone the first time, others will join in if there are more opportunities. So I had some student leadership in charge of the machine at each lunch shift on karaoke days, who made sure to either keep singing themselves, or to pass the mic to volunteers, and before long, we had staff members coming in to join us.

We have karaoke lunch parties about every other Friday. I did have concerns that it would disturb students who come to the library for quiet time during lunch, but  since they have a majority of quiet(ish) days in the library, I felt like it was okay to have some exceptions and invite some other students to shine.

Every time a student has a positive experience in the library, it feels like a win, so providing time and space for students to engage in different kinds of learning activities is always a goal for me.