“The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County” is famous, in part, because it established a uniquely American form of humor. For this famous story, Mark Twain combines the tall-tale, the dialect story, and satire. Here is a resource...

This lesson plan is hilarious! To understand how to investigate a topic, collect data, and evaluate the results, learners research the effects of laughter on health. Each group is assigned a research task, which they will turn into...

Young scholars examine Nathaniel Hawthorne's style of humor and compare it to other humorists. They discuss the purpose of literary humor and determine how it develops characters and plots in stories. They analyze the use of different...

Young scholars demonstrate an understanding of humor in writing, specifically the use of irony (verbal, situational, and dramatic). They evaluate an event from his or her life that lends itself to a humorous retelling, and demonstrate an...

In this writing strategies worksheet, students plan a setting as they respond to 4 short answer questions, write a humorous fiction draft by following 7 steps, and conduct a writing conference with a classmate using the 4 provided...

Encourage more pun-derstanding of word play in your literary scholars as they explore Brian P. Cleary's book Rhyme and Punishment: Adventures in Wordplay. Although this isn't suggested, consider beginning this study by simply showing...

Give your class an overview of American tall tales and some examples with these slides. The basic definition of folk stories, legends, and tall tales is explained, followed by famous characters from American lore. Reading suggestions are...

Students explore traffic safety. In this National Highway Traffic Safety Administration lesson, students read the USA Today article titled "Diplomacy, Humor Take New NHTSA Chief Far," respond to discussion questions regarding the...

How do your high schoolers feel about texting while driving? Two political cartoons display the issue using humor, and background information gives a more serious coverage of the dangers and legislation involved. Three talking points...

Lost! (or misplaced) a modifier. Last seen dangling at the end of a sentence! Reward offered! To underscore the humor, class members are each given a sample sentence to illustrate (A woman passed by, leading a Springer Spaniel, in a...

High schoolers define ethnicity and ethnic group in their own words. In groups, they view comic strips and identify how the strips relate to their family life. Individually, they write their own comic strip about their own ethnic group....

A light, and humorous lesson on "street cows" is here for you. Learners listen to the story, "Street Cows," which is embedded in the plan. On a map of the US and the World, they locate the cities where the "Cows on Parade" exhibit was...

This worksheet starts out on a strong note by using a humorous video called "My Blackberry Is Not Working" from BBC One to teach parody. While they watch the short video, viewers fill out a chart about the electronic brands, noting any...

Use this versatile, cross-curricular graphic organizer to demonstrate the power of words in advertising. Scholars analyze print advertisements, identifying parts of the ad that stand out. This could include color, celebrity endorsement,...

Assess the Cash for Clunkers program with your scholars through 3 political cartoons, which they will analyze to determine who drew it best. Background information helps pupils gain context to assess the cartoons, and 3 talking points...

Do your economists understand the complexities of the recent financial crisis? Use this political cartoon analysis instructional activity to shed some humor and light on the nationalization of banks. The cartoonist utilizes irony to make...

Students establish background regarding a controversial article regarding rape. Students determine whether this article achieved the label of "satire". Internet sites are used for reference.

Explore the pop art movement and create a sculpture in the pop art style based on a visual pun, or play on words. The scholar's work may use humor, allegory, metaphor, or be in the form of a parody. Visual examples are provided, and some...

Based on books written by Fred Gwynne, particularly A Little Pigeon Toad, this resource connects the language of idioms and figures of speech with visuals that make explicit the often humorous connections between the literal and...

Students discuss how much they understand of satire and parody. They read an article about an Iraq news parody show. They create and act out their own parody skit. They write an essay about using humor in grave situations.

Students read the story "My Little Sister Hugged An Ape" and make a list of sensory words from the story. In this interdisciplinary math lesson, students participate in sensory writing, and complete a questionnaire which they will use to...

Maestro Magnificent, swimming pool, magic wand. Persons, places, and things are the focus of a worksheet that asks kids to identify the common and proper nouns.

Students examine the Appalachian region and its people. They write a journal entry, discuss the definitions of hillbilly and Appalachian, analyze cartoons and jokes, explore various websites, and develop a presentation.

In this reading worksheet, students create a small book by stapling together 12 pages. Students read the story. The story depicts workers with their hands full of luggage, boxes, furniture, and cooking pots. On the last page, there is a...