Lesson 4: Overview
PUNCH UP YOUR STORY — FIND YOUR FUNNY
Overview:
Today, we will explore how comedians use wordplay, timing, and surprise to make stories funny. Kids will learn about common comedy tools and experiment with incorporating them into their own writing. From puns to punchlines, they will begin to identify their personal comedic voice and apply it to enhance their stories.
Objective:
- Identify and apply comedic storytelling techniques (e.g., wordplay, misdirection, exaggeration).
- Practice using multiple joke formats (e.g., The Rule of Three, Cringe, List, Absurdity).
- Experiment with writing comedic lines or moments that enhance their personal stories.
- Reflect on work and provide feedback on others' work to indicate an understanding of comedic storytelling techniques.
- Use the Comedic Storytelling Rubric criteria to evaluate the use of physicality and application of comedic elements.
- Practice performing in front of peers.
Materials Needed:
- Toolbox Handout
- Seed Notebooks
SUL Lesson 4:
TYPES OF JOKES: EXAGGERATION
SUL Lesson 4:
TYPES OF JOKES:
#5 JOKUS TYPICUS
SUL Lesson 4:
TYPES OF JOKES:
#3 WHAT U LAUGHING AT?
SUL Lesson 4:
COMEDIANS AND THEIR TYPES OF JOKES
SUL Lesson 4:
Lesson PDF
(1 per student)
SUL Lesson 4:
Finding Your Funny - Types of Jokes Handout
(1 per student)
SUL Lesson 4:
Toolbox Handout
(1 per student)
SUL Lesson 4:
Two-Star and a Wish Feedback Handout
(1 per student)
Lesson 4 : Part 1
MINI-LESSON — FINDING YOUR FUNNY, COMEDY TOOLBOX
1. Welcome & Set the Tone
Being funny isn’t just about acting goofy or being loud. Comedy writing is a craft. The words you choose, the punctuation you use, and the order in which you say things can all create a joke that sticks.
Introduce the idea of a “comedy toolbox”—a set of writing tools that help storytellers add humor through structure, language, and timing.
2. Videos & Group Discussion
Watch these TYPES OF JOKES videos:
• EXAGGERATION
• #5 JOKUS TYPICUS
• #3 WHAT U LAUGHING AT?
3. Comedy Toolbox Overview and Discussion
- Pass out or project the Comedy Toolbox handout. Discuss various joke styles with the kids. Use the examples to explain the techniques and ask for the kids’ reactions.
- Key Joke Structures to Review: Wordplay (puns, homophones), The Surprise (misdirection), The Triple (Rule of Three), The List (gets funnier with detail), The Cringe (self-deprecating humor), Absurdity (random or extreme situations), Exaggeration, Juxtaposition, Inversion.
Questions to Discuss:
- What’s your favorite kind of joke or style?
- Which of these have you heard or seen before?
3. Group Activity
- Divide kids into groups. Assign each group one comedy tool (e.g., Wordplay, Rule of Three, Exaggeration).
Each group must:
- Come up with one original sentence or short joke using that tool.
- Write it on a sticky note.
- Post all the jokes on a “Laugh Wall” or chart paper. Read some aloud and invite classmates to snap, clap, or laugh along.
Lesson 4 : Part 2
PRACTICE & PUNCH IT UP
1. Choose Your Moment
Kids choose a moment from their personal story (from earlier lessons, in your seed notebooks) and rewrite a section using one or more comedy tools. Encourage them to try punctuation techniques to enhance their delivery, such as using ellipses, bold adjectives, and dramatic periods.
2. Peer Share & Feedback
- Punch up your stories by giving and receiving feedback using a framework, “Two Stars and a Wish.”
- As you watch your partners perform, write down two stars—positive aspects of the performance—and explain why you liked that aspect of their performance.
- Then note a wish—an idea you have for a way your partner can use things like elaboration, exaggeration, impressions, and/or physicality to punch up their story.
3. One-on-One Time
The teacher will meet with individuals during this time to help them punch-up their stories.
Lesson 4 : Part 3
Reflection
Have kids respond in their notebooks:
- What joke type did you enjoy using most?
- How did word choice or punctuation make your writing feel more “you”?
- What’s one tool you want to keep practicing?
