Dear Tabby:
I am a teacher with an embarrassing problem! My students are BORED. In fact, I can't even keep myself awake! What can I do to liven things up?
Signed:
No Fun Frances
Dear No Fun:
I have just the trick! I suggest adding a little humor into your classroom, and one way to do that is to introduce Funny Fridays into your curriculum. Use the time at the end of the day on Friday to have kids vote for their favorite funny book. They can come up with a name for their funny book award and design a sticker and a trophy for it. Awards often have mission statements, so this, too, could be another activity. Here's my quick list of ideas, but I bet you can think of more:
* start your Funny Fridays with different students telling a new joke each week, or ask them to read a funny poem out loud to the class
* take pictures of students making funny faces while reading their favorite funny books and post those pictures to a bulletin board
* buy glasses with fake noses on them and ask everyone to wear them during Funny Fridays
* create a mascot--like a puppet or a stuffed animal
* put on an outrageous hat or shoes
* play a funny youtube video on your Smart Board
* divide the class into teams and have them debate about which book should win the award
* write a letter to your favorite funny author or illustrator
* create a blog for Funny Fridays with jokes, drawings, and author interviews
* create a Reader's Theater for your favorite funny books
* put on a quiz show with facts about their favorite books
* write and illustrate joke books
You can also discuss humor techniques that authors use when writing their funny books.
Here they are: