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)

Indicates some of the pitfalls of using humor in the high school English classroom. Notes the need for striking a balance between serious and humorous classroom discussion. (RL)

Explains why humor should be studied in English classrooms and how humorous writing serves as a vehicle for making its readers more socially conscious of human values. Offers a list of books that can be used in classroom discussions of humor. (RL)

Subjects rated the humor of jokes under conditions of high and low spatial density. Crowding was found to significantly diminish appreciation of three types of humor. Significant sex differences in reactivity to crowding were found. (Author/CS)

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

Analyzes joke-telling trends from 1970-75 and emphasizes that such an analysis may yield a significant reflection of American life during this time period. (MH)

Examines the replication of a 1970 study and concludes that anti-female bias in humor is still present. (MH)

An early childhood education professor humorously recalls his first day observing 3 year-olds as part of his university practicum. Intimidated by the sight of 15 lively youngsters roaming about, he manages okay, but injures a child when helping with a zipper. Saved by Bactine and Dumbo Band-Aids, he nonetheless worries about the accident report!…

Ten not-so-serious recommendations for policymakers based on the rationale that art education takes time away from the classes that prepare students for standardized tests. (Author/MLF)

Reviews mail sent in response to a year's worth of "Middle School" columns in this journal. Notes that the column on a middle scholar's inquiry excursion went completely unnoticed and that the column on portfolio assessment received the most attention. (SR)

Presents student-written summaries about nine science fiction, mysteries, humor, historical fiction, classics, and books that may become classics that the students felt were the best books they ever read. (SG)

Presents some funny stories that can be used to develop a mathematical method as a starting point for creating alternative approaches to solving traditional algebra word problems. (KHR)

Argues that (1) knowledge has been narrowed to "facts" or "information"; (2) a superstitious belief in education as a panacea is pervasive; and (3) education lacks a coherent set of goals or overarching philosophy. Calls for more understanding and less knowledge, more being and less doing, more humor and less seriousness. (SK)