The Impact of Purposeful Humor on Student Engagement and Learning in an Elementary Classroom: An Action Research Study

The purpose of this action research study was to explore how humorous science books can be purposefully integrated into elementary science instruction to enhance student engagement and conceptual understanding. Participants included nineteen second-grade students, ages seven to eight. The study examined the impact of teacher-led, intentional humor embedded in science texts featuring jokes, playful language, and a narrative voice. Data were collected through pre- and post-surveys assessing students’ understanding of grade-level science concepts, as well as their interest in and enjoyment of science learning. Results indicated that students responded positively to humorous science texts and demonstrated gains in content knowledge. These results suggest that humor can serve as an effective instructional strategy and that engaging, humorous science books can be a meaningful tool in elementary science education.