Adding Laughter into the Classroom

Mem Fox, a beloved author, once said, “A laughing child likes learning.” I think there is truth in that. We can’t be tense and laugh at the same time. If we are tense, we won’t learn, and if we are laughing, we won’t be tense. Likewise, there is a lot of research to support that laughter is highly advantageous. It benefits our moods, improves our immune systems, and exercises our muscles and respiratory systems.

So, how can we bring more laughter into our classrooms? Here are 10 ways that won’t cost us a lot of money or time:

1. Funny books: If you know me at all, you know funny books are going to be first on this list. Something magical happens when a read aloud makes us all laugh. Best of all, this idea works in grades PreK–12.
2. Joke break: I have done this in two ways. The first is to intersperse jokes throughout the day. In line to go to lunch but have to wait for the class in front of you? Let a student tell a joke. Need to get everyone’s attention before a whole-group lesson? Invite a student to be the warm-up act and tell a joke. And so on. The second way is to get all the joke books you can from the library and have a 15-minute joke break in the afternoon before the final bell. Students start out reading independently, but it won’t be long before everyone is turning to share the funniest jokes and the day ends with smiles and laughter.
3. Quick reel: Start a saved folder on Instagram of short, laugh-out-loud videos that can bring a quick pop of mirth into the room whenever needed.
4. Improv: Pause a read aloud to have a couple of students act it out. Improv predictions or possible alternative endings.
5. Freeze Face: Sometimes when I pause a show on our TV, it freezes a gorgeous star in an unfortunate and unflattering expression. It’s fun to say, “Get ready . . . Pause” and look at our frozen faces until someone giggles.
6. Comics: Calvin and Hobbes. The Far Side. Peanuts. Pop a comic up for a quick humor break.
7. Silly song break: The sillier the better. While this tends to have a higher participation rate in primary grades, there are some silly camp songs that will get even our toughest fifth graders to crack a smile.
8. Play “We Should”: Another improv-type game where all ideas are a go. The leader says, “We should . . .” and points to a player. The player says anything (“Tickle a gorilla.” “Stand on an airplane wing.” “Jump over a giant.”). The whole class responds, “Sounds fun!” and acts it out for a few seconds. Then the leader starts a new “We should . . .” Three quick rounds takes about a minute and loosens everyone up with fun.
9. Dance and Freeze. Put on a great dance number. Pause the music. Everyone freezes and holds it until someone breaks the freeze. Someone is usually in such a ridiculous position, they can’t possibly sustain it for long, and we end in laughter.
10. Face/Sound game. This is done in partners instead of in the whole group, or you can have two partners do it for the whole group. One partner makes a crazy face. The other partner makes the sound that goes with it. Do three times and switch.

We are intentional about so many important things in our classrooms. I hope there is something in this list that will help you be a little more intentional about bringing the joy and benefits of laughter to each day.