That is the sound of a Leprechaun. That is the sound of a Leprechaun mocking me.
Each year I make sure to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in a fun way with my class. This year, my students built Leprechaun traps. I showed and read them the following excerpt from the internet
"Remember, Leprechauns are tricky fellows, so you must be creative and tricky when deciding on a way to try to catch him. You can try to lure him to you and grab him, or you can try to build a Leprechaun trap to capture him in.
If you are lucky enough to capture a Leprechaun, your work is not done yet! Legend says you cannot take your eyes of the Leprechaun for even a second or he will disappear. Now, here are some suggestions to help you build your own leprechaun trap.....
It is very difficult to catch a tricky Leprechaun, but you can sure have fun trying! The first thing you need to do is build a trap. There is no right or wrong way to build a Leprechaun trap.
You can make a contraption with a net, boxes, a clean can, or anything else you can think of such as paper towel rolls, empty containers, tin foil, paper, string or yarn, sandwich bags, etc; or, how about using an old shoe since they are said to be cobblers. You have to be very creative to catch a Leprechaun.
| Learn More About Leprechauns |
| See Leprechaun Trap Photos |
Once you build your trap, don't forget to add bait to help lure the Leprechaun. Since Leprechauns are very greedy, one of the best things you can use for bait are coins! If you don't want to use real coins, you can easily substitute candy coins or make your own gold coins by cutting circles out of cardboard and painting them gold. Gold nuggets made by painting small rocks are another option.
Here are a few more tips and suggestions to help you get started:
* Rainbows are good to use on or around your trap.
* Color your trap green and decorate it with green items (stickers, glitter, etc)
* Leprechauns are also attracted to four leaf clovers.
* Leprechauns like to do the opposite of what you tell them, they aren't rule followers!
* Make sure your trap is disguised well - make sure it blends into its surroundings.
* No two traps should be alike or the Leprechaun will get suspicious and leave.
* A Leprechaun will leave a trail of tiny gold flecks, so watch for it!
Now, you should be ready to build your trap. I can't guarantee you will catch one of these little creatures, but you will sure have fun trying."
So, I allowed the students to bring objects from home to assist in their trap making, and I provided them with some basic supplies. It was *HILARIOUS* to say the least. Some kids made traps with little leprechaun beds, fake gold, gold and green wrapped chocolates, coins, promises of riches and Irish parties on signs, etc.
While they were at lunch, obviously a leprechaun or two entered the classroom and wreaked some havoc on their traps. He stole most of the loot, wrecked a few traps, moved things around in the classroom, and left a snide little note. He did leave trails of gold specks near the traps, but unfortunately, it was too small to gather up to make use of it.
Not only that, but he tricked me. As I told my students, I entered my classroom at the end of lunch, and found one of the leprechauns causing a ruckus. I immediately closed the classroom door so that he couldn't escape. Of course my demands were for him to give me his gold in exchange for me opening the door to let him out of the classroom. He agreed, showed me the gold, then proceeded to run around the classroom so fast that it was almost a blur. After he stopped running, he handed me the sack of gold and I let him out.
Well, turns out that during his speedy marathon around the classroom, he somehow switched the gold for a bag full of suckers, complete with a note in the bag (a green bad with a money sign on it) that read "SUCKER!!!" I have been duped for the second year in a row. I am so very ashamed.
Later, the "special" boy in my class told me that he couldn't pay Tiger Tokens to go use the bathroom. "Why?" I asked. "Leprechauns." How could I argue with that? Later, same boy - "J - Where is your signed report card?" "Leprechauns."
That night, apparently the students wanted to defend their teacher's honor. They all vowed to catch the leprechaun that had duped me. A couple of them caught him, but wouldn't you know it? He got away. Maybe next year.
Here is the photographic evidence of this fine St. Patty's Day in room 38.
On a side note, when the students found out it was my birthday yesterday, J came up and gave me a very matter o' fact multiple choice question.
"If you had a choice, which would you do?"
A- give all the money and food to charity.
B- give all the money and food to the homeless people.
C- keep all the money and food for yourself and maybe share a little with Pigmen.
