Last year, April Fool’s Day fell on a Friday; I remember because I made a big stink about trying to make my prank leave students in tears for the weekend. Now, that may sound a bit harsh…I thought it was hilarious, but let me first explain my prank.

As I was teaching between two schools (M/F at school 1 and T/TH at school 2), the teachers of School 1 warned me that the following Friday would be “Poisson d’Avril,” a day for teachers and students to pull pranks on one another. Of course these pranks would be harmless as my students ranged from 5-11 years old but I knew they have something planned for “English teacher.” In effort to get my guard up quick I came up with something that would knock their socks off. They should have known to never underestimate the American teaching assistant!

Friday morning came and their cute little faces swarmed around me laughing and giggling as they clapped my back to greet, “Bonjour Marie!” “Salut coucou, salut!” “Bisous, Marie, bisous!” I knew they were being their sneaky little selves posting brightly colored fishes on my back to make me the fool, which was fine as it was all in good fun. Even the teachers were all smiles as they herded their students into the classrooms with fish on their backs.

Walking into my first class of the morning, CE2 or 3rd grade, I had to use all the strength I could muster to keep a straight face and prevent myself from laughing. Taking a deep breath, I walked into the room sulking, tears in my eyes trying desperately to keep the droplets from falling down my face. In the following minutes, I told my class of 32 8-year-olds that my contract was cancelled, that I was leaving for home and that I was never going to see them again. Their once smiling, welcoming faces immediately dropped and turned to worried, furrowed brows. A couple asked some questions as to why I was leaving and where I was going. Even the teacher looked at me confused and upset as she wasn’t notified of my leaving. In continuing my shtick, I explained that I didn’t have any answers, that I didn’t want to leave and that I didn’t have any choice in the matter.

That was the quietest class 3rd grade class I ever had; I could have heard a pin drop. The students were attentive and they listened, probably because they were a bit heart-broken. For the most part, my classes were the light-hearted 45 minutes out of their school day. We played games, colored, worked on crafts, and usually sang and danced about. Once and awhile there were worksheets and tests to take but the grades really didn’t matter. I think I had struck a nerve. Tee hee… J

Fine Fine Fine. The truth. With 5 minutes to spare, I explained that the announcement regarding my contract and my leaving was a “Poisson d’avril.” The children cheered, laughed, jumped up and down and came over and pulled me down to give me bisous. The teacher came up to me and complimented my trick admitting that I had her worried. Did I feel bad? Yes, a little, but it was April Fool’s Day! They should have known!! I asked the 3rd graders to not reveal my trick and to keep it a secret as I went off to terrorize their schoolmates.

The other classes accepted this information as the first and (for me) it was a pleasant afternoon of well-behaved children – truly, something all teachers want out of their day. My CM2, or 5th graders, were the kindest in presenting me with cards and pictures for me to remember them by. See! Elementary students aren’t always monsters; they can be caring and compassionate little ones!

All in all, probably my best trick to date.

Click here to learn more about Poisson d'Avril