April Fools’ Day is the perfect time to have a little fun with your students and add a bit of surprise to their learning. This year, why not introduce an April Fools’ joke that will engage their senses and make them believe they’re experiencing something truly unique? I’m talking about a “scratch and sniff” worksheet… well, sort of!
In this fun and lighthearted activity, your students will read about three fascinating scents and “scratch and sniff” their way through the adventure. The twist? They’re not actually smelling anything (except maybe a little paper!), but the experience will be so realistic that they’ll be convinced otherwise.
Here’s how you can pull off this April Fools’ joke in your classroom:
Step-by-Step Guide to Pulling Off the Perfect April Fools’ Joke
- Introduce the Activity with Excitement
Start by building some excitement around the activity. Tell your students that they’re about to explore some very unique and fascinating scents that will take them on a sensory adventure. Explain that they’ll be doing something special today: a “scratch and sniff” challenge, with special worksheets that have scratch and sniff spots. You can demonstrate scratching and sniffing one of spots. Pretend like you’re smelling something really unique! - Engage Their Imaginations
The key to making this activity believable is to get your students to imagine they’re actually smelling the scents. As they scratch and sniff the paper, encourage them to close their eyes and think of the scents described in the text. If they begin to say they can’t smell anything, tell them to re-read the scent description and try again! - Share the Scent Stories
Students will read through the text about the three different scents. Your students will be intrigued by the thought of smelling things like petrichor (the smell of rain), saffron (a rare and expensive spice), and ginkgo fruit (an ancient and unique autumn scent). Make sure to encourage them to take their time and really experience these smells. - Keep the Fun Going with Questions
After they’ve scratched and “sniffed,” have them answer the follow-up questions. The fun part comes when they start to think about what they just experienced! You can ask them about which scent they liked the best. - The Big Reveal!
After everyone has had time to reflect on the scents, don’t forget to say, “April Fools!”
Ready to Give It a Try?
If you’re ready to bring some playful fun to your classroom, you can download the full “scratch and sniff” April Fools’ Day worksheet for free! Just click the link below and get started:
Download the Scratch-and-Sniff April Fools’ Day Worksheet for Free!
