April Fool's Day

The best thing about April Fool's Day with 3rd-5th graders is that they are really into it. They love pranking each other and maybe will even jump in and try to prank you as well. I love these silly holidays that just bring a smile to the faces of my students. But what I love just as much is learning about the History behind the holiday. This year, I created a little reading comprehension and writing activity pack that helps students find out all about this fun day. It also looks at how others around the world celebrate and some fun and famous pranks!

I don't know about you, but I am always trying to figure out how to make things fun and keep the kids guessing. My favorite April Fool's Day activity was the year that I made brown e's. Yes you read that right. All day, I told my class that I had make them brown e's and of course it sounded just like their favorite dessert, brownies. When I whipped out the pan and in dramatic fashion removed the foil I went up and down the rows of seats passing them each a brown e. Their faces! Oh it was just too good. 

But later, I did give them an actual treat, although the sound of it is utterly disgusting. We had kitty litter cake. If you are wondering what this is, let me give you a quick rundown. First you crumble a chocolate and vanilla cake together and mix in some icing. You pour it into a clean, unused kitty litter pan, I got mine at the Dollar Tree and even picked up a kitty litter scoop to serve it with. Then to put it over the top, you take some Tootsie Rolls and slightly warm them in the microwave until they are bendable. After that, form them into....I think you see where this is going....kitty poop and drop some here and there, even burying some for an old litter box look. Dangle one over the side if you are that brave. Trust me, the kids loved it, especially the boys!

In case you are interested in sharing the history behind this holiday, you can click on the picture below. Happy April Fool's, everyone!