Some Jokes Lesson Plan Some Jokes Make Sad Faces
Kindergarten Social-Emotional Learning Lesson Plan
Why This Matters
This lesson teaches empathy and social awareness, helping students understand the impact of their words on others. Students learn to recognize uncomfortable reactions and promote positive social interactions.
Details
Time: 30 MinutesAudience: KindergartenApproach: Modeling, Practice, and Application
Learning Objective
Students will identify the correct facial expression (happy or sad/uncomfortable) resulting from a pictured social joke in 4 out of 5 opportunities.
Preparation
Review the Happy Jokes, Sad Jokes Slide Deck and practice the script.
Print and cut out the Check the Face Reaction Cards (Lamination recommended).
Make copies of the Is It a Funny Joke? Worksheet for each student.
Prepare a projector for the slide deck.
Lesson Flow
5 Min
Warm-Up: What Makes You Giggle?
Ask: "What's something that makes you laugh?"
Discuss different things that can be funny.
Introduce the idea of jokes and how they are meant to make people laugh.
10 Min
Model: Happy vs. Sad Faces
Use the "Happy Jokes, Sad Jokes" Slide Deck
Slide 2: Explain jokes are words/actions meant to be funny.Slide 3: Show happy face joke. Ask: "Is this a happy face? Yes! It's funny!"Slide 4: Show sad face joke. Ask: "Is this a happy face? No. It wasn't funny for them."Slide 5: Introduce "Uncomfortable Laughs." Explain people might laugh because they feel nervous or worried.Slide 6: "Always Check the Face!" Look at eyes and bodies to see if a joke is truly happy.
10 Min
Practice: Check the Face Cards
Small groups sort cards into "Happy Face Jokes" and "Sad/Uncomfortable" piles.
Circulate and ask students to explain their sorting logic.
Focus on signs of "uncomfortable laughter" (nervous eyes, forced smile).
5 Min
Apply & Assessment
Distribute Is It a Funny Joke? Worksheet .
Students draw faces based on social scenarios.
Briefly introduce the Joke Detective project for home observation.
Happy Jokes Sad Jokes Slides 😂
😢
😊
🫤
Some Jokes Make
Sad Faces
What makes you giggle?
A Lesson About Feelings
What's a Joke?
🤡
Words or actions that are meant to make people laugh!
A Happy Face! 😊
😄
When someone tells a joke and it makes people smile, it's a happy joke!
We love those!
A Sad Face... 😔
Sometimes a joke can make someone feel sad or not happy.
If their face looks sad, it wasn't a good joke for them.
😢
Uh Oh! Uncomfortable!
😬
Sometimes people might laugh, but they feel squiggly inside.
That's not a happy joke laugh! We want real happy laughs!
Always Check! 🕵️♀️
Are they smiling with happy eyes?
Look at their eyes and their body!
Check the Face Reaction Cards Check the Face Reaction Cards
Sort these cards into Happy Face and Sad/Uncomfortable piles.
😆
Knock-Knock Joke
Telling a silly joke to a giggling friend.
😂
Silly Face
Making a funny face that makes everyone laugh.
😢
Making Fun
Laughing at someone's drawing and making them sad.
😟
The "Prank"
Tripping a friend and saying "Just kidding!" while they look hurt.
😊
Hide & Seek
Playfully hiding a toy and then jumping out with a smile!
😰
The Missing Lunch
Hiding someone's lunchbox. They feel worried and scared.
😬
The Squiggly Laugh
A joke that makes a friend look nervous and laugh awkwardly.
🥰
Sharing a Story
Reading a funny book together and smiling big.
Teacher Instructions
Cut along the dashed lines to create 8 reaction cards. Ask students to identify the facial expression on each card. Is it a True Happy Smile or an Uncomfortable/Sad Face ?
Is It a Funny Joke Worksheet Is It a Funny Joke?
Worksheet
Name:
Date:
Directions:
Look at each picture story. Draw a 😊 (happy face) if it is a truly funny joke. Draw a 😔 (sad face) if the joke made someone feel sad or squiggly inside.
1. On the Playground
A child pushes another child off a swing and says, "Just kidding!"
2. Animal Sounds
A friend tells a silly animal sound joke and everyone giggles with joy.
3. The Missing Toy
Someone hides a classmate's favorite toy and won't tell them where it is.
4. Silly Mirror
A child makes a funny face in the mirror and their sibling laughs with a big smile.
5. The Juice Spill
Someone spills juice on a drawing and laughs. Their friend looks worried.
6. The New Haircut
A child tells a joke about a haircut. The classmate forces a laugh and looks down.
"Always check the face to see if the joke is truly funny!"
Joke Detective Tracking Chart Joke Detective!
Tracking Joke Reactions
Your Mission:
For the next few days, be a Joke Detective! Watch what happens when someone tells a joke at home, at school, or with friends.
How to Investigate:
Listen for a joke.Watch the face and body of the listener.Draw what you see in your chart!
🔍
Evidence Log
| Date | What was the joke? | Their Face
Detectives: Be kind! Always look for jokes that make people feel happy and safe.
