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Using Students' Love of the Ridiculous to Build Serious Writing Skills: Grades 1-2

E.M. Forster

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Published in DownWRITE Funny: Using Students Love Of The Ridiculous To Build Serious Writing Skills (Grades 7 12)

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Have you ever noticed how much kids love to be silly? They laugh at the silliest jokes, they make up the most ridiculous stories, and they love to play pretend. This love of the ridiculous can be a powerful tool in the classroom, especially when it comes to teaching writing.

DownWRITE Funny: Using Students' Love of the Ridiculous to Build Serious Writing Skills (Grades 7-12)

by Randy Larson

4.7 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
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Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
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Print length	:	126 pages

When students are allowed to be silly in their writing, they are more likely to take risks, be creative, and experiment with language. They are also more likely to have fun, which makes learning more enjoyable. And, perhaps most importantly, when students are having fun, they are more likely to remember what they have learned.

The Benefits of Using Humor in Writing Instruction

There are many benefits to using humor in writing instruction. Some of the most important benefits include:

Humor can help to create a positive and supportive learning environment. When students are laughing and having fun, they are more likely to feel comfortable taking risks and trying new things. This can lead to increased creativity and innovation.
Humor can help to make learning more memorable. When students are engaged and entertained, they are more likely to remember what they have learned. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with traditional methods of learning.
Humor can help to develop critical thinking skills. When students are forced to think creatively to come up with funny or absurd ideas, they are developing their critical thinking skills. This can help them to become more effective problem solvers and decision makers.
Humor can help to improve communication skills. When students are able to communicate their ideas in a funny or engaging way, they are developing their communication skills. This can help them to become more effective communicators in all areas of their lives.

How to Use Humor in Writing Instruction

There are many different ways to use humor in writing instruction. Some of the most effective methods include:

Using funny prompts. One of the easiest ways to incorporate humor into your writing instruction is to use funny prompts. These prompts can be anything from "Write a story about a talking animal" to "Describe your favorite food in the most ridiculous way possible." The more absurd the prompt, the more likely students are to come up with creative and funny stories.
Encouraging students to be silly. When students are writing, don't be afraid to encourage them to be silly. Let them make up funny characters, write about ridiculous situations, and use absurd language. The more silly they are, the more fun they will have and the more they will learn.
Using humor in your own writing. One of the best ways to show students that humor is okay in writing is to use humor in your own writing. When you are writing on the board, make sure to add a few funny comments or jokes. When you are grading students' papers, be sure to point out the funny parts. The more you show students that humor is okay, the more likely they are to use it in their own writing.

Using humor in writing instruction can be a powerful way to improve student engagement, creativity, and learning. By incorporating humor into your writing activities, you can create a fun and supportive learning environment that encourages students to take risks, be creative, and experiment with language. So next time you are planning a writing lesson, don't be afraid to add a little bit of humor. You might just be surprised at how much your students learn.

Call to Action

If you are looking for a way to make your writing instruction more engaging and effective, I encourage you to try using humor. I have seen firsthand the positive impact that humor can have on students' writing, and I am confident that you will see the same results in your classroom.

To get started, I recommend using some of the funny prompts that I have provided in this article. You can also encourage your students to be silly in their writing and use humor in your own writing. The more you show students that humor is okay, the more likely they are to use it in their own writing.

I hope this article has been helpful. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me. I am always happy to help.

DownWRITE Funny: Using Students' Love of the Ridiculous to Build Serious Writing Skills (Grades 7-12)

by Randy Larson

4.7 out of 5