April Fool's Day...Fun in the Classroom

April Fools' Day (sometimes called All Fools' Day) is celebrated every year on  April 1 by playing practical jokes and spreading hoaxes. The jokes and their victims are called April fools. 

For teachers, pulling an unexpected fast one on your students can be entertaining - and memorable - for everyone. In his recent article, April Fool's Day in the Classroom: 8 Resources for Teachers, Edutopia contributor Matt Davis shares some great resources for bringing humor - and pranks - into the classroom Here are just a few:

• April Fool's Day: A Foolproof Primer on Classroom Laughter: Even if you are a little hesitant about bringing laughter into the classroom, here are some simple suggestions for getting your students laughing and learning.
• Library of Congress: April Fool's Primary Sources: Yes, the The Library of Congress (LOC) is a fabulous place to find a wide range of primary sources that can be used in lessons. Be sure to check out “This Day in History” on April 1.
• The Museum of Hoaxes: The Museum of Hoaxes features some interactive and interesting April Fool's timelines, a gallery of hoaxes and other fun stuff for students.
• CNN's April Fool's Day Fast Facts: “This is a brief look at some of the interesting trivia related to April Fool's that is perfect for sharing with students. Plus, if you're interested in April Fool's history, check out "Where Does April Fools' Day Originate?" from Discovery.”
• Humor in the Classroom: A MiddleWeb Resource Roundup: Calling all Middle School teachers: “This resource from MiddleWeb features a wealth of ideas and tips for using humor in middle school classrooms.”
• April Fool's Day Teacher Resources on Pinterest: Need I say more?
• Top 20 April Fool's Pranks for Teachers: “The Squarehead Teachers blog put together this list of fun, light-hearted April 1 pranks for teachers. These are mostly low-prep pranks that will help you catch your students off-guard. Also, be sure to check out their post, "(No Prep) April Fool's Day Pranks," for some last-minute ideas.”
• Foolproof Fun Lesson Activities for April Fool's Day: This post from BusyTeacher.com features some great ideas for April Fool's Day in the ESL classroom.

And, here are some additional resources for just bringing humor into the classroom - no April Fool’s Day needed:

• Tips for Using Humor in the Classroom: The National Education Association shares effective strategies for incorporating humor into your lessons.. Also check out How to Effectively Use Humor in the Classroom, another NEA resource that offers great ideas and tips.
• Lesson Plan: Comedy in the Classroom: “The New York Times' The Learning Network put together this resource for teachers looking to bring to humor to their lesson plans. There are some great ideas for teaching the history of humor, writing and performing fake The Daily Show-style newscasts, and analyzing political cartoons. There’s something here for teachers of every grade level.”

Your Pepper Team hopes you have a great April Fool’s - no joke!

Pepper provides a wide range of courses for teachers that allow for growth and learning opportunities. You also have access to Pepper's online learning community where you can meet others who are teaching and engaging students.

Your Pepper Professional Development Courses and Workshops and the Resource Library can help you create a more engaged and active classroom that includes humor ideas as well as great learning concepts. We’re adding new courses, workshops and resources regularly, so be sure to check them out.