St Patty's Day

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Home : 2003 : March : 3

St Patty's Day
By maryellen

A few days before Mar 17, we arrive in the classroom to find the leprechauns have been getting into mischief! They usually mix all their gym runners into a pile, and hide the storybooks...something easy like that. I explain
the leprechaun legend, and challenge the kids to build a leprechaun trap at home and bring it in - maybe we can get the gold! I have already clued the parents into my plan in a newsletter. They make it a family project, sometimes its the first project Dad has been involved in! Over the week we keep getting more and more traps. Every morning, when we check the traps have caught a

stuffed mascot, shamrock sparkles, a paperweight, no leprechaun. More traps arrive every day til the big night on March 16 (leprechauns return to Ireland on Mar 17 don't you know!) That night I take a digital picture of their trap with a leprechaun from a bulletin board kit peeking out. I add sparkles, and a note written in green from Sean, Patrick or Kathleen, telling the child what a great time they've had tricking us. No gold, but they do leave a chocolate coin, and some leprechaun magic - instant pistacio pudding in a plastic cup - just add a little milk and it turns green and tasty (don't serve to children with milk or nut allergies). The children who build traps keep the photo and letter as a souvineer, the whole class has enjoyed the chaos, and the pudding. We also change our names with a "Mc" or "O" in front (O'Piper, Mc Piper) and print it on a green bowler hat cut out on a head band.
Its noisy but fun every morning!