InClass

It’s been a tough two years to say the least, which makes it more important than ever to occasionally hit the pause button and just have fun with your students. And what better time to do so than April Fools’ Day? 

This year, try to set aside 10 minutes to plan something your kids will talk about for the rest of the school year. Here are some ideas for April Fools’ Day to get you started.

1. Use Your Phone in Class

While talking with your students, have a friend or family member call you! Dramatically pause, check your phone, and start talking intently about a completely irrelevant and ridiculous topic. Your students will be scratching their heads in confusion.

2. Play Dress-Up

If you’re a physics teacher, for example, try dressing up as Albert Einstein—your students will eat it up! No matter what subject you teach, try dressing up like a significant figure in your subject area or a character from a book your class is reading. Even students who don’t have you in class will love it. For bonus points, don’t break character—even during class!

3. ‘Switch Identities’ With Another Teacher

Do you have a teacher friend who also wants to prank their class? Switch identities with them and watch their students crack up when you walk into their classroom with your friend’s clothes and mannerisms. If your class is remote, you can have a spouse or family member dress up like you and try to teach your class; whether you or the students laugh harder will be a toss-up!

4. Bring in a Slithery Class Pet

While it’s probably not a good idea to bring in a real snake, there are plenty of fake critters you can plant around the classroom — whether pretending to have a new class pet or just planting it to be found by a poor unlucky young soul will get just as many laughs.

5. Put a Spider in Your Food!

Or drink, depending on the COVID-related food rules at your school. If you can’t have an open beverage container, you can plant the (plastic) bug in a water bottle that you blatantly sip in front of your students. Watch them freak out as they think you’re about to gulp down a creepy crawler.

We hope these suggestions give you and your students something to laugh about and provide some much-needed bonding. Enjoy!

Learn More Ways To Help Students De-Stress

Jokes aside, students nowadays have more stressors than ever before. If you teach middle school, check out these activities that can help your students de-stress. (Pro tip: Even if you don’t teach middle school, these tips can be adjusted to fit your students’ unique needs!)