Celebrated on April 1 each year, April Fools’ Day is a favorite holiday of joksters and pranksters. If your students are into silly gags, bringing April Fools activities into the classroom can help keep them engaged in their lessons while also building background knowledge on the holiday's history, celebrations, and origins.
Help students discover why April Fools’ Day exists with resources about its history and origins:
The exact origin of April Fools’ Day is a mystery, but some historians believe it started in the late 1500s in France. Students can read more about the holiday’s potential creation and the way people celebrate it in modern times with articles on topics like:
It’s not just individuals who enjoy the fun during April Fools’ Day. Show students how businesses and other organizations play along with resources like:
Adapt this lesson for your youngest students with our April Fools’ Day Elementary Spotlight text set!
Literature and poetry are full of stories about tricksters and pranksters. Introduce students to some of them with the following resources:
Plot twists in literature can be unexpected and exciting. They can also make stories more engaging. Students can learn more about how authors create these intricate twists and turns and then try the technique themselves.
Mythology is full of characters who personify traits and learn hard lessons. Students can learn more about the story of the Greek god Prometheus, who was a notorious prankster, using the following lesson:
April Fools’ Day may also be a favorite of magicians or anyone who loves magic tricks. Try some experiments that look like magic but have scientific principles behind them, like:
Even on April Fools’ Day, we’re serious about delivering high-quality instructional materials. Newsela’s suite of subject products has various content and resources—like news articles, primary sources, literature selections, and interactive videos—to help you teach about any topic.
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