Synergy: Jokes

Jokes are humorous stories with a funny conclusion known as a punchline. Riddles and one-liners are very short jokes. Jokes are not intended to be taken seriously. 

Read the recently published children’s nonfiction book, then learn more at the websites:

JUST JOKING SERIES from National Geographic Kids includes dozens of titles. JUST JOKING SCIENCE is filled with 300 STEM-focused jokes, riddles, knock-knocks, tongue twisters, and more. In addition, readers learn about ten wacky, but real scientific experiments.

JUST JOKING-LOL is a YouTube video playlist containing dozens of short videos with animal jokes and funny riddles from National Geographic Kids.

Go to https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQlnTldJs0ZSwXZodadqpS_vv0NXXB-GC

SCIENCE FUN FOR EVERYONE features science jokes submitted by children. Encourage students to write their own STEM jokes.

Go to https://www.sciencefun.org/kidszone/jokes/

ARC courtesy of National Geographic Kids.

Web Review: Google's April Fool's Day Jokes

Each year Google introduces a unique April Fool’s Day joke. Go to Google at http://google.com to join in the fun. Can you find the joke?

Need a hint? 
Go to https://com.google/ 
Go to https://www.google.com/maps and click the PacMan icon.
Go to https://youtu.be/XTTtkisylQw

Let’s explore some Google jokes from past years. These are a great way to introduce youth to the hazards (and also fun) of fake websites.

Google Gulp - http://www.google.com/googlegulp/
Google's PigeonRank - http://www.google.com/technology/pigeonrank.html
Google Romance - http://www.google.com/romance/
Gmail Mail - https://www.gmail.com/mail/help/paper/index.html
Google Emojify the Web - https://youtu.be/G3NXNnoGr3Y
Google Chromecast - https://youtu.be/IpT1787EjbE
Gmail Custom Time - https://www.gmail.com/mail/help/customtime/
Gmail Autopilot - https://www.gmail.com/mail/help/autopilot/index.html
Google Nose - https://www.google.com/intl/en/landing/nose/
Google Motion - https://www.gmail.com/mail/help/motion.html
Google Comic Sans - http://www.google.com/landing/csfe/
Google Treasure Map Mode - https://youtu.be/_qFFHC0eIUc

Youth need to distinguish fact from fiction from fake. Unfortunately, most students aren't very concerned about accuracy, they're simply seeking an answer to a question or a funny photo to share on Instagram. Get them interested in asking themselves about accuracy. Student should ask themselves:
What questions do I have about the content?
How would I find out if it's real or fake?

For more fun, go to Wikipedia’s list of Google Hoaxes and Easter Eggs at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Google_hoaxes_and_easter_eggs

Book Review: Willy Maykit in Space

WILLY MAYKIT IN SPACE by Greg Trine is a super silly science fiction story guaranteed to entertain young readers.

From classic knock-knock jokes to flying bird poop, the laughs are perfectly aimed at lower, middle-grade readers. The story becomes more outrageous with each action-packed chapter as an android, an alien, and a village of monsters are added to young Willy Maykit’s outer space field trip. In a parallel story, readers learn about Willy’s father who has been captured by foothunters (not headhunters) in the Amazon jungles.

Librarian’s will easily convince reluctant readers to jump into this silly adventure with short, fast paced chapters and appealing visuals.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.gregtrine.com/.

Published by HMH Books for Young Readers.