Prank Etiquette: Responsible Pranking

Kendra Saralegui

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Prank Etiquette: Responsible Pranking

how to prank a friend responsibly

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of pranking responsibly. They will engage in discussions about the ethics of pranking, brainstorm harmless pranks, and role-play scenarios to understand the impact of their actions. The lesson aims to develop social-emotional skills such as empathy and responsible decision-making.

Audience

5th grade

Time

45 minutes

Approach

how to prank a friend responsibly

Materials

Whiteboard and markers, Discussion Guide: What Makes a Good Prank?, Worksheet: Prank Ideas, Role-Playing Scenario Cards, and Reflection Handout

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

Briefly introduce the topic of pranking and why some pranks can be fun while others can be hurtful.
Explain the objective: learning how to prank friends responsibly and with respect.

Step 2

Discussion: What Makes a Good Prank?

10 minutes

Use the Discussion Guide to facilitate a conversation about what makes a prank good or bad.
Questions to explore: What are some pranks you know? How did they make people feel? What qualities make a prank fun rather than mean?

Step 3

Brainstorming Prank Ideas

10 minutes

Provide the Worksheet: Prank Ideas for students to write down their ideas for harmless and fun pranks.
Encourage them to think about pranks that can make people laugh without causing harm or embarrassment.

Step 4

Role-Playing Scenarios

10 minutes

Using the Role-Playing Scenario Cards, have students act out different prank situations.
Discuss each scenario afterward: Was the prank responsible? How did the people involved feel?

Step 5

Reflection and Closure

10 minutes

Hand out the Reflection Handout for students to write about what they learned.
Discuss as a group: Why is it important to prank responsibly? How can we ensure our pranks are fun for everyone involved?

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Discussion

What Makes a Good Prank?

This guide will help facilitate a discussion on the qualities of responsible pranking.

What are some pranks you know? How did they make people feel?

Encourage sharing of personal stories, focusing on the emotions involved.

What qualities make a prank fun rather than mean?

Discuss elements like humor, consent, and lack of harm.

Have you ever been the target of a prank? How did it make you feel?

Promote empathy by focusing on both positive and negative experiences.

Worksheet

Prank Ideas

This worksheet will help students brainstorm and evaluate prank ideas to ensure they are harmless and fun.

List three prank ideas that you think would be fun and harmless.

Consider pranks that others would also enjoy.

Why do you think these pranks are responsible?

Explain how these pranks avoid causing harm or embarrassment.

How can you ensure everyone involved in the prank enjoys it?

Think about getting consent and choosing the right time and place.

Worksheet

Role-Playing Scenario Cards

These cards will be used for role-playing different prank scenarios to discuss their impact.

Scenario 1: You put a whoopee cushion on your friend's chair. Your friend laughs.

Scenario 2: You hide your friend's backpack as a prank. Your friend gets upset when they can't find it.

Scenario 3: You replace the sugar with salt in your friend's lunch. Your friend is not amused when they taste it.

Worksheet

Reflection Handout

This handout will help students reflect on the lesson and the importance of responsible pranking.

What is one thing you learned about responsible pranking today?

Think about how pranks can affect others.

Why is it important to ensure your pranks are fun for everyone?

Consider the feelings and reactions of the people involved.

How will you apply what you learned about responsible pranking in the future?

Think about specific actions you can take.