The day has finally come. My preschoolers are learning how to tell jokes. The build-up, punchline, facial expression, the full works. It isn't easy to be funny. One has to learn how to deliver the punchline and observe what elicits a genuine laugh, a slight chuckle, or just a little nose-exhale. Their learning process is adorable and nonsensical, and I love it.
As someone who grew up poring through classic joke books and the humour section of any paper, I was primed to answer the ones they pulled from similar sources.
What do you call an alligator in a vest?
An investigator.
Why did the girl throw her clock out the window?
To watch time fly.
They were not impressed. It's no fun when you don't get to deliver the punchline yourself. So in the name of practice, I threw in some that they haven't heard of:
Why is 6 afraid of 7?
Because 7 got into a fight?
ooooh close but no
*struggles*
Because 7 ate 9!
*confusion*
7... *makes an eating gesture* ate 9!
OHHHH, because 8 sounds like ate?
YES!! I clapped.
The connection has been made. Empowered with a new understanding of homophone jokes, they came in with different jokes for me every day. Some of their jokes were inspired by the Legos we were using in class:
What do you call a Lego man?
Mister Lego!
I chuckled at the attempt.
What did one lego block say to the other?
Let's build each other!
ha-ha, I smiled under my mask
What do you call a big lego?
Duplo!
Ha! That's not bad!
And then today, they delivered:
I thought it was great! They loved making all sorts of sound effects in class; making that connection with monk and zonk was no easy feat. It's a little niche for sure, but we have made much progress.
Sometimes you just need people to laugh at your early-not-quite-there-yet jokes!
Thank you, as always, for tuning in this month!
Doing a list of recommended newlsletters today instead of the usual play-list!