April Fool's Day in the library

Hi friends!

I wasn't planning to pull an April Fool's prank on my students today. But the opportunity presented itself, and I could not resist. Here's what happened...

I had set up an empty cage with water and food for some chicks I was planning to get later in the day. I put the empty cage on the table where we normally have a live animal center.

A fifth grade class came in, and the students began to ask, "what's in there?" I gasped and said, "you mean, it's not in there any more? Be careful where you step!" They began to search the library, under the book shelves, all wanting to be the first to find the escaped animal.

I could hardly control my giggles. After a few minutes, we did tell them it was an April Fool's joke.

Before the next class came in, my fun library assistant had the idea to add a bright pink warning sign to the display, like this.

A few minutes later, a fourth grade class was convinced that our snake had escaped and was slithering around the library. I can't believe the big kids fell for it! We laughed SO HARD!

An empty cage and a warning sign. And a straight face. That's all it took.

Later in the day, our visitors did arrive.

The chicks are all set up in their new home. They will be lonely for the next two days while I am out of the library, administering THE BIG TEST.

All I have to say about them so far is that for all their chick-y cuteness, they do NOT know how to whisper. Peep! Peep!

Did any of YOU pull a great prank in YOUR library? Please share!