Inquiry Design Model (IDM) Blueprint™
“Learning With Humor”
NDNAEU 2 “Learning & Storytelling”, NDNAEU 4 “Sense of Humor”, NDNAEU 7 “Native Identity”
Compelling QuestionWhat place does humor have in education and learning?
Standards and PracticesG.6_12.3.1 Describe the differences and similarities
among cultures around the world.
G.6_12.4.1 Explain and use a variety of geographic
tools to study the world on global, regional, and
local scales and draw conclusions.
ND.6_12.4.6 Use various primary and secondary
resources to acquire, analyze, and evaluate
information.
Staging the QuestionDoes laughing make a difference in the classroom?
Supporting Question 1 Supporting Question 2 Supporting Question 3 
What changes take place in the brain as we laugh?What does research show about the use of humor and laughter in education?How do Native Americans use humor in the education of their young people?
Formative Performance TaskFormative Performance TaskFormative Performance Task
Have the students read the following
articles and then have a discussion
about how humor affects the brain
and the educational benefits.
Have students read the following
articles to generate discussion about
the use of humor in the classroom.
Have students view the following
videos and use the “Learn About”
questions and “Learn From” questions
to generate discussion about Native
American use of humor when teaching
important cultural values.
Featured SourcesFeatured SourcesFeatured Sources
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/laughter-learning-humor-boosts-retention-sarah-henderson

http://sanfrancisco.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/healthwatch-stanford-study-shows-how-humor-activates-childs-brain/

http://www.nea.org/tools/52165.htm
http://edtheory.blogspot.com/2011/10/benefits-of-humor-in-classroom.html

https://youtu.be/T3Oizv3JuxU
https://teachingsofourelders.org/rabbit-turtle-story-catherine-howard/

https://youtu.be/_E0Ku32gpLI

https://teachingsofourelders.org/essential-understanding-4-debbe-poitra/

https://teachingsofourelders.org/francis-goes-clinic-oliver-gourd/
SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: Supported Claim (written/spoken) or Demonstration of Process (project-based)Have students research the humor of other ethnic groups (Norwegians,
Germans, etc). Then have students contrast and compare the use of humor
between those cultures and that of Native Americas. Look for similarities and
differences.
SUMMATIVE PERFORMANCE TASK: ExtensionHave the students run an experiment involving presenting information on a new topic with and without humor. Have them take notes on students reactions. 
Taking Informed Action / Real World ApplicationHave students take a topic they are studying in class and have them create a skit about that topic and incorporate humor into the skit. Make the details of the skit fit the age group of the students involved.