Page 173 - SpringBoard_ELD_Grade8_Flipbook

aCTIVITy 1.4
Interact in meaningful Ways: academic Collaboration
Learning Targets
• Ask and answer questions about an informational text in collaborative conversations, demonstrating active listening, and drawing upon an expanding pool of language resources for discussing literature. PI.8.1, PI.8.5, PI.8.6a–c
• Express and support opinions of a personal narrative in conversation. PI.8.3
Turn to your partner or small group to discuss each question about “Made You Laugh.” After you have discussed a question, write notes about your answer before going on to the next question.
1. What is the key idea of the section “Comedy Is Serious Stuff,” paragraphs 8–11? What details in the section support this idea? ccSS.RI.8.2
The key idea of the section is that being a comedian is difficult work since no one can ever be sure of getting laughs. The audience, the time of week, and other variables can determine the reaction a comedian gets.
3. Why do you think there are so many “theories of funniness”? What can you conclude about humor from all these theories? ccSS.RI.8.2
I think that the number of theories suggests that no one can fully explain humor. This leads to the conclusion that humor is a very complex, even mysterious, aspect of life.
Asking Questions
2. Find one of the jokes included in the text of the essay. What key idea does this joke illustrate or support? ccSS.RI.8.1
Answers will vary. Students might say the joke about the hunters is explained by the superiority theory: we feel smarter than the hunter who shoots his friend. The incongruity theory also applies: we would not expect such an event to happen.
4. Look at the chart in the section “Got Laughs?” In general, as people age, how does the humor they enjoy change? ccSS.RI.8.1
As people age, their tastes become more sophisticated. They move from low comedy to high comedy.
The key idea of the section is .
I think the joke about illustrates the key idea that .
I think the number of theories suggests .
As people age, their tastes becomes more .
The author of “Made You Laugh” has chosen a broad and complex topic to write about. Do you think you understand all the points he made? With your partner or small group, look back at the whole essay. Discuss what questions you have about the text. Write one question you would like to ask the author to clarify a point he made. Share your question with the whole class.
150 SpringBoard® English Language Development grade 8
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