Years ago, at the family visitation before my daddy’s funeral, we were sniffling and dabbing our teary eyes, when my mom spoke up, “I wish your daddy was here, we could use a joke!”   My father would have had just the right one to tell.

My dad knew the art of telling a joke, eye contact, expression, dramic pause.  Some he made up, some he read or heard.  None were ever rude or offensive.  Though as a teen I would groan and roll my eyes when he told one, I would repeat it I first chance I got.  Whenever I see someone that knew my dad, they always say something about his sense of humor.

According the my special days calendar,  International Joke Day is celebrated on July 1.  This is a day to tell jokes not play jokes (pranks).  The purpose of this day is to make as many people as possible laugh or at least smile.    Our homeschool/summer school calendar lesson of the day will be language arts focused.  We’ll be reading, writing, and telling jokes.   And sense Proverbs 17:22 says, “A cheerful heart is good medicine”, I suppose it can count as a health class credit, too.

I try to include jokes into our homeschooling lessons from time to time.  They make fun copy and memory work.  They also lighten things up when the studying gets serious or boring.  Jokes are good public speaking practice, and I think something humorous  should be included in most oral presentations.  Jokes and riddles also make cute additions to our lapbooks.

These are a couple of library books we checked out for homeschooling on International Joke Day.This is my favorite site for kids jokes, riddles, and printables  (we especially like the holiday list)  http://www.activityvillage.co.uk/kids_jokes.htm

These free blank comic book style printables make an  interesting way to copy jokes or riddles and illustrate.   http://www.printablepaper.net/category/comics

Because it’s good to laugh at ourselves sometimes…

“How does a homeschooler change a light bulb?”

“First, mom checks three books on electricity out of the library, then the kids make models of light bulbs, read a biography of Thomas Edison and do a skit based on his life. Next, everyone studies the history of lighting methods, wrapping up with dipping their own candles. Next, everyone takes a trip to the store where they compare types of light bulbs as well as prices and figure out how much change they’ll get if they buy two bulbs for $1.99 and pay with a five dollar bill. On the way home, a discussion develops over the history of money and also Abraham Lincoln, as his picture is on the five dollar bill. Finally, after building a homemade ladder out of branches dragged from the woods, the light bulb is installed. And there is light.”  ~Author Unknown

For my list of July’s special days click here  https://stilllearningsomethingnew.com/2013/06/28/julys-special-days/

betty jo