An Educator's Guide to Outsmarting the April Fool

April 1^st is probably the most dreaded day on my teaching calendar; I never know what pranks the crafty minions will attempt. The way I figure, the best defense is an even better offense. This fool-proof list of pranks is kid-tested and teacher approved!

1. Every high school students' focus is graduation - in order to graduate they must pass a series of state exams. Most likely, they've already taken one batch of these exams. Get together with other teachers and create an official-looking email informing administrators, teachers, and students the exams must be retaken. A lock-tight story is key for executing this prank. Perhaps the delivery truck (carrying the completed tests to state officials) was involved an accident with a HAZMAT truck...thus ruining their answer documents and invalidating all scores. With a united front on the teachers' part, it should take hours for students to suspect otherwise. It's even better when the principal agrees to play along. You know that annoying teenage-girl-whine that breaks glass? It will forever resonate in your ears.

2. Parent contact is always highly encouraged, here's a way to have fun with it! Inevitably, students will get their cell phones taken up in class. April 1^st is the day to make them think twice about ever sending another text in your classroom. Rather than putting the phone away in your desk or ferrying it to the office, shoot a quick text to Mom. If you have a good rapport with the student, feel free to send one to his girlfriend about his recent bout with mono. That should make things exciting for the next week.

3. There's constant debate about the effectiveness of schools in America, and it's time to get your students involved. Prepare them to take copious amounts of notes during a very important documentary concerning homeschooling versus public education. If your computer is hooked up to the T.V. or a projector, go to YouTube and locate MADtv - Dot and Homeschooling . They'll be fooled for the first few seconds, but be ready for an uproar of laughter. Even the sleepy kid who never participates in anything will pay attention to this!

With a little creativity, a computer, and a confiscated cell phone, you'll be able to entertain yourself - and the teachers' lounge - the entire day. Keep your guard up, some of your students lost sleep thinking of ways to outsmart you!