Using Humor in the Classroom, by Darlene West, 6th Grade World History Teacher, Watertown Middle School

Everyone likes to laugh. It’s a good way to break the ice in a new classroom setting, start the day and if sharing a fun anecdote about yourself, allows your students to learn something new about you. Many speakers often start their speeches with a joke to get the groups attention.

“We’re finding humor actually lights up more of the brain than many other functions in a classroom,” says Mary Kay Morrison, author of Using Humor to Maximize Learning. “In other words, if you’re listening just auditorily in a classroom, one small part of the brain lights up, but humor maximizes learning and strengthens memories.”

Some ways that I use humor in the classroom that my students love are each day I change my wallpaper on my computer to some funny history fact. I joke with my students often and let’s face it; you cannot teach and not have a sense of humor. We are working with children and they always have funny stories to share.

Below is a list of guidelines I found on line. I think they are a good set of rule to live by.

•Avoid hurtful humor: Don’t be hostile toward, or demeaning of, others

•Let common sense guide your subject selection, tone and intent

•Know your student/teacher dynamics and judge the joke climate carefully

•Lose your fear of embarrassment. It’s okay to make a fool of yourself in the interest of drawing shyer students out of their shells

•Make humor relevant: Deliver timely, content-oriented material

•Don’t be afraid to “Act Out” concepts and content

•Use funny movie and TV clips to make a point

•Do a little dance when the ring of a musical cell phone disrupts the class

•Use humor in test and quiz questions. It will help lift the veil of test-anxiety

•When appropriate, use funny life stories: Both yours—and with permission—your students

The goal is to laugh and enjoy time with your students. Some of my best memories are when students shared stories, lessons went wrong and I just took a few minutes to enjoy listening to what was happening in my student’s lives. Take a few minutes to laugh.