Counters six arguments against humor in English classes. Presents arguments in support of studying humor in English classes, noting its usefulness and benefits. (SR)

Describes how the author uses the character George from the television comedy "Seinfeld" to offer her students a challenging inquiry into cultural studies in relation to television character analysis. Describes how the author uses a particular episode to discuss the relation between George's workplace travails and broader issues of…

Examines humorous literature in higher education and categorizes the genre into humorous academic stories and novels, essays, and expressions. Explores the first of these types. Demonstrates that Freud's "superiority theory" is alive and well in humorous campus literature but that it generally does not rise to the instrumental level of pure…

Describes how the author connects with today's adolescent readers by means of laughter and literature. Claims young adult literature can facilitate the growth of empathy and provide an impetus for adolescents to transcend the isolation modern culture engenders. (NH)

This interview with Christopher Paul Curtis, an award-winning author of novels for young readers, discusses combining elements of the author's own family heritage with American history; writing about race that appeals to black and white readers; the history of race relations; the use of humor; and thinking about the audience. (LRW)

Maintains that today's students have grown up in a time where they have been constantly entertained. Explains that using humor within the history classroom can increase students' interest in history and entertain them simultaneously. Recommends mixing historical facts with amusing stories about or straight from various historical figures. (CMK)

Conducts interviews with nine groups of South African women, examining their responses to episodes of "Suburban Bliss," a South African television sitcom that attempted to use humor as a catalyst to transcend the aftermath of apartheid. Evaluates whether "cultural reconciliation" is possible through harnessing the varying…

Medical writing is virtually devoid of reference to the use of humor as a teaching aid. Research into the role of humor in medical teaching is made difficult by such matters as the complex nature of the perception of humor, by difficulties in contriving humor in controlled settings, and by difficulties in establishing outcome measures for humor…

A middle-school teacher humorously observes seven other intelligences of students: random thinking; virtual memory void (erasing entire sections of personal memory); antigravity (balancing on two chair legs); intravacancy (achieving perfect, effortless aplomb); inter-Origami (intricate note-folding); stealth-kinesthetic (peashooting spitballs…

A content analysis of over 35 American motion pictures and television sitcoms since the 1950s showed principals most often portrayed as autocrats, bureaucrats, or buffoons. Sometimes, as in the TV movie "Kidz in the Woods," a single show depicts all three characteristics. Promoting instructional leadership and an ethic of caring among…

Two experienced elementary principals leading challenging suburban schools believe principals' greatest responsibility is helping others. To survive, principals should maintain a sense of humor, grow thicker skin, regard parents as potential allies, team with staff and respect their individual talents, hire the best teachers, and act in students'…

This article offers an abbreviated curriculum to help middle school students learn to use humorous strategies to cope with stress. An introductory discussion reviews the literature on coping and the benefits of humor. Outlined for the curriculum are student goals, unit concepts and generalizations, differentiated learner objectives, differentiated…

Humor can not only provide motivation for learning but can also contribute directly to the learning itself. Presents and analyzes excerpts from a number of classic pieces of comedy writing. Contains 28 references. (DDR)

Presents five articles on humor in early child care: (1) "What Makes Young Children Laugh?" (David Elkind); (2) "Humor as a Tool in the Workplace" (Jerry Parr); (3) "Vincent's Vignettes" (Vincent Duffy); (4) "Family Humor" (Bill Strader); and (5) "Books to Tickle Funny Bones" (Karen Stephens). (SD)

Assesses children's cognitive and emotional responses to negative emotions in family-formatted situation comedies. Tests children from two grade levels who viewed a sitcom that featured negative emotions. Reveals that inclusion of a humorous subplot distorted perceptions. Discusses children's social learning from television. (PA)