Sometimes memes get a bad rap as a silly and irrelevant idea. But before you totally brush them off as a corny waste of time, consider the power the meme has. They quickly engage our students, they are totally comprehensible, and they are a great way to use a visual in class to grab the attention of students.
If you are not sure how to use a meme in the classroom, then read on.
Culture
Using a meme in the classroom is a great way to check if students understand a cultural concept you are working on. They can be a teaching tool or a comprehension check. They are quick, easy to use and efficient. They also pack a big punch.
- Show a meme and describe the cultural context. Memes are good to use as a hook at the start of a culture topic.
- Student-generated memes can help you do a quick check if students understood what you taught them. Do they grasp the cultural concept? Assign them a meme and see if they do.
I like to lecture in the target language and sometimes this is hard at the novice level. Using pictures and videos help me with this task. As a quick way for me to see what students understand, I sometimes ask them to create a meme as an exit ticket. This allows me to check what they understood.
Rules
Memes are a fantastic way to establish your rules at the start of the school year. Since teachers love to define rules for their classroom, why not introduce the rules with memes? They are memorable and more than likely students will remember them better.
Grading
Have you ever thought of grading with memes? I read an article about a teacher in Illinois who is doing just that. I don’t have too many assignments that aren’t digital so it would not work in my classroom. However, I am considering printing some meme stickers to give to students who score an A on tests. I would have them printed and acknowledge them when they enter the classroom the next day.
You can even save paper and send a GIF instead of a meme electronically. Hey everybody, great job on the test!
Icebreaker
You can even use memes as an icebreaker. They are funny, relatable, and can act as a great icebreaker for students and teachers.
Vocabulary
Memes are a great way to teach vocabulary too. I like to work with memes and GIFs when teaching specific chunks of vocabulary like personality traits and occupations. Try it, you will find your students very engaged.
How do you use memes in your classroom?
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