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.

April is National Poetry Month!

This April marks the 20th anniversary of National Poetry Month, which was inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996. Over the years, National Poetry Month has become the largest literary celebration in the world with schools, publishers, libraries, booksellers, and poets celebrating poetry’s vital place in our culture.

The Academy of American Poets offers some great suggestions for helping teachers and individuals get involved with celebrating National Poetry Month.

30 ways to celebrate national poetry month

1. Order a free National Poetry Month poster and display it at work or school.
2. Sign up for Poem-a-Day and read a poem each morning.
3. Sign up for Teach This Poem, a weekly series for teachers.
4. Memorize a poem.
5. Create an anthology of your favorite poems on Poets.org.
6. Encourage a young person to participate in the Dear Poet project.
7. Buy a book of poetry from your local bookstore.
8. Review these concrete examples of how poetry matters in the United States today.
9. Learn more about poets and poetry events in your state.
10. Ask your governor or mayor for a proclamation in support of National Poetry Month.
11. Attend a poetry reading at a local university, bookstore, cafe, or library.
12. Read a poem at an open mic. It’s a great way to meet other writers in your area and find out about your local poetry writing community.
13. Start a poetry reading group.
14. Write an exquisite corpse poem with friends.
15. Chalk a poem on the sidewalk.
16. Deepen your daily experience by reading Edward Hirsch’s essay “How to Read a Poem.”
17. Ask the United States Post Office to issue more stamps celebrating poets.
18. Recreate a poet’s favorite food or drink by following his or her recipe.
19. Read about different poetic forms.
20. Read about poems titled “poem.”
21. Celebrate National Poem in Your Pocket Day on April 21, 2016. The idea is simple: select a poem you love, carry it with you, then share it with coworkers, family, and friends.
22. Subscribe to American Poets magazine or a small press poetry journal.
23. Watch Rachel Eliza Griffiths’s P.O.P (Poets on Poetry) videos.
24. Watch or read Carolyn Forche’s talk “Not Persuasion, But Transport: The Poetry of Witness.”
25. Read or listen to Mark Doty’s talk “Tide of Voices: Why Poetry Matters Now.”
26. Read Allen Ginsberg’s classic essay about Walt Whitman’s “Leaves of Grass.”
27. Watch a poetry movie.
28. Sign up for a poetry class or workshop.
29. Get ready for Mother’s Day by making a card featuring a line of poetry.
30. Read the first chapter of Muriel Rukeyer’s inspiring book The Life of Poetry.

Be sure to visit the Pepper Resource Center to find great ideas and resources on poetry! As a teacher, think about how you can incorporate poetry into your classroom in April. We would love to hear some of your ideas.