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Understanding the Complexity of Humor
ACTIVITY 4.2
Learning Targets
• Write an objective summary of an informational text.
• Demonstrate understanding of the denotations and connotations of words related to humor.
Preview
In this activity, you will read an essay on the topic of humor. As you read, think about your own sense of humor and what makes you laugh.
Setting a Purpose for Reading
• As you read, underline key words and phrases that explain the main idea of each section.
• Circle unknown words and phrases. Try to determine the meaning of the words by using context clues, word parts, or a dictionary.
My Notes
acTIVITY 4.2
PLaN
Materials: dictionaries or online references, index cards Suggested Pacing: 2 50-minute class periods
About the Author
Marc Tyler Nobleman (b. 1972) has written more than 70 books. His current writing interest is picture books for readers of all ages. He is also a cartoonist whose work has been published in numerous well-known publications, including The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, The Saturday Evening Post, and New York Daily News.
Essay
by Marc Tyler Nobleman
1 Would you like to know a language everyone in the world understands? You already do—because you laugh. Any two people from vastly different cultures who don’t speak a word of the other’s language still know exactly what is meant when the other person laughs.
2 Think of laughter as the unofficial language of Earth. Yet how much do any of us really understand about humor?
On the Laugh Track
3 What makes things funny? READ asked John Ficarra, the editor of MAD magazine. After all, he should know. Here’s what he said: “Monkeys. They’re unbeatable. For example, show a photo of
cOMMON cOre STaTe STaNDarDS
Unit 4 • The Challenge of Comedy 251
L.8.5c: Distinguish among the connotations
(associations) of words with similar denotations
M 9781457304644_TCB_LA_SE_L8_U4.indd 251 (definitions) (e.g., bullheaded, willful, firm1,6/04/15 4:04 AM
Focus Standards:
RI.8.2: Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including its relationship to supporting ideas; provide an objective summary of the text.
W.8.2d: Use precise language and domain- specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
persistent, resolute).
Additional Standards Addressed:
RI.8.1; RI.8.3; RI.8.4; RI.8.6; RI.8.8; RI.8.10; W.8.2a; W.8.2b; W.8.4; W.8.5; W.8.9b; W.8.10; L.8.1a; L.8.5b; L.8.6
LEARNING STRATEGIES:
Skimming/Scanning, Predicting, Close Reading, Marking the Text, Summarizing, Revisiting Prior Work, Discussion Groups
Teach
Text Complexity Overall: Accessible
Lexile: 900L
Qualitative: Low Difficulty Task: Accessible (Understand)
1 Read the Preview and the Setting a Purpose for Reading sections with your students. Help them understand any new terms they encounter.
2 FIRST READ: Based on the complexity of the passage and your knowledge of your students, you may choose to conduct the first reading in a variety of ways:
• independent reading • paired reading
• small group reading • choral reading
• read aloud
Unit 4 • The Challenge of Comedy 251
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.
© 2017 College Board. All rights reserved.