Other
Write a Goofy Story #3
In this activity, students will complete humorous fill-in-the-blank prompts. After students complete each blank, students will view an automatically-generated story that contains their sentences organized in ways that will be funny.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Unlikely Diary Keepers
The writer will assume the role of a living creature (like an arthropod) or an abstraction (like a fraction). Writers will do research on what they have chosen as their roles, and learn new facts about these roles. The writer will...
Yale University
Ynhti: The Humor of America, Ruth Schwartz
This site includes a summary of these lesson plans about humor, and a narrative on humor in writing to precede them. Discusses writings by Benjamin Franklin.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: A Picture Book Writing Lesson: Relative Report Narratives
After sharing Margie Palatini's charming "bad-situation-that-only-gets-worse tale", Tub-boo-boo, writers will plan a story about a humorous household accident that gets worse before it gets better. Borrowing Palatini's exciting idea from...
PBS
Pbs Teachers: On Stage at the Kennedy Center: 2001 Mark Twain Prize: Twain and R
Use this lesson to study the lives of Mark Twain and Will Rogers. Analyze the writing styles of both authors, and identify the men as humorists who reflected and changed American culture.
PBS
Pbs: Benjamin Franklin: An Extraordinary Life: Franklin's Wit and Wisdom
Learn about Franklin's career as a writer and about his particular brand of humor in this five-part essay. Includes examples from his letters and from "Poor Richard's Almanack."
Other
Write a Goofy Story: The Sequel
In this activity, students will complete humorous fill-in-the-blank prompts. After students complete each blank, students will view an automatically-generated story that contains their sentences organized ways that will be funny.
Louisiana Department of Education
Louisiana Doe: Louisiana Believes: English Language Arts, Grade 9: Laughter
Students understand that specific structures and literary elements create humorous effects in a variety of print and nonprint sources. Students explore the development of humor to determine a text's deeper meaning and purpose, and apply...
Aaron Shepherd
How Frog Went to Heaven, a Tale of Angola (Rt)
This reader's theater version of a folktale from Angola has been adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his short story "How Frog Went to Heaven." For 16 players, ages 7-9, the story explores themes of inventiveness and...
Aaron Shepherd
The Magic of Mushkil Gusha, a Tale of Iran (Rt)
A reader's theater version of a folktale from Iran for ten players, ages 9-13. Adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his short story "The Magic of Mushkil Gusha," the story explores themes of thankfulness and sharing....
Aaron Shepherd
Forty Fortunes, a Tale of Iran (Reader's Theater)
A reader's theater version of a folktale from Iran for 11 players, ages 8 and up. The performance length is ten minutes. Adapted by children's book author Aaron Shepard from his picture book "Forty Fortunes." You will find links to name...
Other
Odyssey of the Mind Curriculum Activity: Healthy Humor
Students will enjoy these activities that promote a "Pro-Laughter" campaign using their creativity while exploring the physical and emotional effects of laughing.
Other
Write a Goofy Story #2
In this activity, each student will answer several mysteriously worded questions. After each answer is typed, an automatically-generated story will appear with details taken from their answers to the questions.
Writing Fix
Writing Fix: Writing for Math Class: Creative Math Equations
In this lesson, the mentor text called Mathematickles by Betsy Franco is used. Students will use the language of mathematics to demonstrate their understanding of the topics about which they write. Older students should use humor and...
Rutgers University
Rutgers University: Getting an a on an English Paper
Written by a college professor, this site discusses five areas for students to work on to improve their writing. The areas are Thesis, Research, Close Reading, Style, and Mechanics. The author is clear and concise in his advice, and...
ReadWriteThink
Read Write Think: Exploring Satire With the Simpsons
Contains plans for three lessons that use the popular television show "The Simpsons" to teach about satire and satirical techniques. In addition to objectives and standards, this instructional plan contains links to PDF handouts and...
Kids' Wings
Little Red Schoolhouse: "Honus and Me"
Here you will find a wide variety of enrichment activities, information and games to enhance the book "Honus and Me."
First World War
Satrical Magazines of the First World War
Read about the "Humor," magazines of the Great War and their role in the conflict. The site includes illustrations from the publications and views of various scholars about them. A bibliography follows the article. Site by First World...
Library of Congress
Loc: Benjamin Franklin: In His Own Words
This extensive exhibition offers observations on various facets of Franklin's life, as well as his writing and other accomplishments.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Gothic Undercurrents: Washington Irving
Noted as America's first celebrity author, Washington Irving is featured in this concise biography bringing light to his writings and the style in which he presented them. See "Washington Irving Activities" for related artifacts and...
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: Clerihew Poetry
Cooperative poetry writing assignment. Students will write and share poetry using the Clerihew style. Students will also give a group presentation of their poems.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: Gullible's Travels, Etc. By Ring Lardner
This is the full text of the short story collection Gullible's Travels, Etc. by Ring Lardner, an American sports columnist and short story writer best known for his satirical writings about sports, marriage, and the theater.
PBS
Pbs Online News Hour: Coping With Conflict
"Israeli author Amos Oz examines politics, love and humor amid the chaos of his country's conflict with the Palestinians." Partial transcript of an interview. Audio and video clips available.
Other
Dave's Guide to Speech Writing: An Overview of the National Forensics League
Sight contains an overview of NFL, including an explanation of categories, points, and degrees.