Jump to content
The Education Forum

Jokes as a source in History


Nico Zijlstra

Recommended Posts

I've written a simple worksheet/lesson about jokes told by people in the former GDR.

Jokes were used as a kind of subtle protest against the SED-regime of Ulbricht and Honecker.

I'm using German originals in my Dutch class, but I found a series in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDR_jokes

I'll try to incorporate the English version into my website and publish it on E-Help. A German version can be added as well.

During the war in occupied Europe jokes were often told? Anyone a clue where I can find those? An idea perhaps?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I've written a simple worksheet/lesson about jokes told by people in the former GDR.

Jokes were used as a kind of subtle protest against the SED-regime of Ulbricht and Honecker.

I'm using German originals in my Dutch class, but I found a series in Wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GDR_jokes

I'll try to incorporate the English version into my website and publish it on E-Help. A German version can be added as well.

During the war in occupied Europe jokes were often told? Anyone a clue where I can find those? An idea perhaps?

Good idea. I have always liked the idea of using jokes in history lessons. I believe I used to be known as a "joke teacher" (thought I would say that before Andy Walker made the same point).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Humour is certainly an important factor in establishing the kind of relaxed alertness needed for learning to take place.

All the teachers I have seen both struggle with discipline and struggle to teach have lacked a sense of humour. I would recommend "The Laughing Classroom" by Diane Loomans, Karen Kolberg and Martha Weston as essential reading for anyone training to be a teacher.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

×
×
  • Create New...