A wonderful way to engage science students is to make them think a demonstration is not turning out the way the instructor intended. Basically, throw a little humor into teaching, and they will be hooked. Described in this article is a demonstration that uses Milk of Magnesia (MOM) as a visual and humorous method to review equilibrium chemistry…

This essay briefly explores reflections of Anna Julia Cooper concerning the meaning and significance of moments within educational settings when the conditions for laughter and language break down. The author suggests that what she presented as moments of social and political failure have become the aims of contemporary, rigid nonpromotion public…

For decades, feminist teachers have been working in a chilly political climate. Rightwing critics claim that women's studies programs suffer from "insularity and narrowness, ideological bias, and a tendency toward misinformation." In the mainstream media, feminism is both vilified and trivialized. It's no wonder that many students doubt that…

In a Development and Criticism of Broadcasting course, humorous cartoons and television commercials were used to stimulate critical thinking about course content. Students were taught to use the higher order thinking skills of analysis, synthesis, and evaluation to turn passive viewing or listening skills into active thinking activities. Humor…

Explains a method of teaching students the differences in usage between "good" and "well" and between "bad" and "badly." (MM)

Explores the use of cartoons as a means of teaching American culture and demonstrates how a discussion of the cartoons can be carried out. Examples are given of the presentation of cartoons in the regular classroom. (FB/Author)

Describes the foreign language program at Brattleboro Union Hiqh School. Discusses the qualifications of the language teachers, the importance of early exposure to foreign languages, the use of humor to emphasize or illustrate, student teacher relationship, exposure to several languages at once, and flexibility in course scheduling. (CT)

Advocates incorporating humor in the classroom (as a means of assessing students' learning and understanding) by deliberately establishing a classroom environment conducive to original expression and risk-taking, and by the juxtaposition of curriculum material. (SR)

January is a perfect time to insert a strong dose of humor into group time gatherings. Oftentimes, children have tired of the predictable pattern of group meetings and need some change. Humor-filled group time activities can be the best secret remedy. Not only will children become more interested in the group time meetings (and therefore listen…

"The Chemedian and the Crazy Football Match" is a comic strip developed by the authors to bring humor to aspects of the UK primary science curriculum. The comic strip was tested in six English primary school classes (years 3-5; ages 7-10); over 150 children participated in the project, together with six teachers. Children found the comic…

Suggests humorous ways to generate student interest in literature such as creating advertising campaigns for characters in fiction. (SRT)

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

An active sense of humor is a vital but often neglected resource in teaching methods as well as in everyday life. (LH)

Sketches the way one English teacher used silent film to engender creative writing in a school for American Indian students. Advocates the use of humor in cross-cultural educational settings. (HB)