Presents a short description with examples of the use of cartoons as a motivational and instructional technique for vocabulary study. (AEA)

Provides examples of word play that reading teachers can use to reinforce a variety of skills. (FL)

Argues that humorous books have the potential to brighten the classroom environment, motivate students, and develop reactive, thinking readers. (FL)

Intended as a supplementary resource for teachers, this paper focuses on using humor to develop students' critical thinking and reading abilities. The paper suggests many newspaper humor activities for predicting word meanings through context clues, including the meanings of words in isolation and in context, in headlines, and in the comics. Next,…

Describes a teaching unit that involves students in reading and analyzing elements of humor in young people's literature. Focuses on what makes quality humorous books funny as well as literary. (FL)

Humorous stories and comedy routines can form the basis for individual oral reading and comprehension activities and for group skits. (MKM)

Discusses children's attitudes toward humorous stories, the variables regarding children's sense of humor, and the results of a study examining the relationship between children's grade level and sex and their preference for and perception of select elements of humor. Includes a bibliography of 50 books children might find humorous. (Author/HTH)