SEL · Writing · Public speaking
Finding a voice—and
sharing a laugh.
During an SEL mini-unit on public speaking, students spent about a week drafting original jokes, preparing to share them with their classmates.
A clear purpose and shared criteria.
Students worked toward a performance for a real audience: their class. Clear success criteria—including keeping the jokes school-appropriate—guided their choices as they drafted their own material.
Time to develop and practice.
Over about a week, students workshopped their jokes with a trusted peer or adult, received feedback, and practiced before performing. Preparing to make an audience laugh gave writing and revision a shared purpose.
A turn for everyone.
Every student came up and spoke in front of the class. A projected laugh track added to the fun, and classmates celebrated one another’s success.
Joy with a learning purpose.
The event brought writing, feedback, rehearsal, and public speaking together. It gave students an opportunity to share something they had created and contribute to a classroom celebration.
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