Level 3 • Lesson 23 — Create Humorous or Funny Stories

Objective

I can write a short funny story using exaggeration, surprise, and wordplay with a clear setup, build-up, and punchline (or silly twist).

Materials

Pencil ✏️ and eraser
Notebook or tablet
Tracing Pad (below)

Tip: Keep jokes kind and school-appropriate. Funny ≠ hurtful. Use surprise that’s safe and playful.

Mini-lesson — How Humor Works

Setup → Punchline: The setup creates an expectation; the punchline twists it.
Exaggeration (hyperbole): Make something wildly big/small/fast for laughs.
Surprise: Lead readers one way, then switch paths.
Wordplay: Puns and double meanings (e.g., “time flies” vs real flies).
Callbacks: Refer back to an earlier joke for extra humor.

Guided Practice — Trace, Brainstorm, Then Draft a Gag

Trace humor tools, then draft a 6–8 line funny scene about a runaway sandwich in the cafeteria.

Trace: setup, twist, pun, exaggeration, surprise
Setup: The sandwich keeps “disappearing.”
Twist: It has tiny legs and sprints away!
Wordplay: “Lettuce meet again.”
Ending: A callback to the “disappearing” sandwich.

Tracing Pad

Lines Letter

Pen

Drag & Drop — Build Setups & Punchlines

Drag chips into the slots to make lines that use exaggeration, surprise, or wordplay. Keep punctuation at the end.

Ipackedasandwichsotallitneededanelevator.

ItriedtocatchthefogbutImist.

Ourgoldfishlearnedtofetchthemailsomehow.

Mybackpackissoheavyithasitsownweather.

Itoldajokeaboutpizzabutitwasalittlecheesy.

Whydidthecookiegotothenurseitfeltcrummy.

Theteachersaidtherewouldbeapopquizandsomeonebroughtsoda.

Mycatstartedadiaryitismostlymeowmeowmeow.

WhenthesandwichranawayIgavechasewithketchup.

Iaskedforalightsnackandthechipstoldjokes.

Ibroughtaladdertoclasstoraisemygrades.

FinallythesandwichandImadepeasImeanpeace.

Quick Check (15 questions)

1) The setup of a joke does what?

Adds a random detail Creates an expectation Explains three topics

2) The punchline usually…

repeats the setup adds unrelated facts flips the expectation with a surprise

3) Which line is exaggeration?

My backpack weighs a ton. My backpack has two zippers. My backpack is red.

4) Which line uses wordplay (pun)?

The sandwich ran. We made peas—uh—peace. I ate lunch.

5) A good funny story is…

confusing on purpose mean to classmates kind and school-appropriate

6) Best order for a gag:

setup → build-up → punchline punchline → setup → build-up build-up → build-up → build-up

7) A callback joke…

adds new characters refers back to an earlier joke explains science facts

8) Which is a surprise twist?

The quiet sandwich suddenly sprints away on tiny legs. The sandwich has bread. Lunch happens at noon.

9) Wordplay works when a word has…

only one meaning no vowels more than one meaning or sound

10) Which is most school-appropriate?

Teasing a classmate Making a pun about pizza Sharing private info

11) Build-up means…

adding details that lead to the punchline switching topics ending the joke early

12) Which line is a pun?

The book is long. The book smells new. The book had me in binds.

13) Exaggeration works best when…

the reader knows it’s impossible it could be true it is a secret

14) Which ending is a callback?

Suddenly it rains. The sandwich says, “Lettuce meet again.” I finished homework.

15) A funny story should mainly try to…

confuse readers insult people entertain kindly

Assessment (parent/teacher)

Clear setup → build-up → punchline Uses at least two humor tools (exaggeration, surprise, wordplay, callback) Jokes are kind and appropriate Ending feels like a twist or callback

Exit ticket (student)

😀 My story made readers laugh kindly 🙂 I need more practice with punchlines 😅 Wordplay was tricky

I will practice…

Placing the surprise at the end of a line Writing two puns about one topic Adding a short callback in the ending

Lesson 23: Create Humorous or Funny Stories