Funny Business: How Humor Connects Us
Learning Goals:
- Learn new words to talk about funny things.
- Talk about why we laugh and how humor can help us.
- Read about a comedy festival where people from different countries laugh together.
- Listen to a comedian talk about using jokes to connect with people.
- Write about a time when humor made a difference in your life.
Key Words:
- Humor: Something that is funny.
- Joke: A funny story or a funny thing someone says.
- Laugh: The sound you make when something is funny.
- Smile: To show you are happy or amused, often with your mouth.
Different Kinds of Jokes:
- Pun: A play on words. (Example: Why did the bicycle fall over? Because it was two tired!)
- Slapstick: Funny actions. (Example: Someone slipping on a banana peel.)
- Sarcasm: Saying the opposite of what you mean. (Example: Saying “great job” when someone makes a mistake.)
Let’s Talk About It!
- What makes you laugh? (Tell a joke or a funny story to your classmates.)
- Do you think everyone finds the same things funny? Why or why not?
- Have you ever laughed at a joke you didn’t understand? Why do you think people still laughed?
Let’s Read!
In Italy, there’s a festival where people from all over the world tell jokes. Even though they speak different languages, everyone laughs together. This shows us that humor is a way for people to connect, even if they don’t understand each other’s words.
Listen and Learn!
(Teacher plays a short clip of a comedian talking about how telling jokes in different countries can be challenging, but it also helps them learn about different cultures.)
Talk with a Partner!
One of you is visiting a new country. The other is a local person. Share a funny story or joke from your culture with each other.
Homework:
Write a short paragraph about a time when humor helped you connect with someone, feel better, or get through a difficult situation.
Extra Fun:
If you can, watch a short comedy show or clip online. Then, tell the class about it and explain what you found funny.
