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7 Creative and Smart Ways to Use Memes in the Classroom

Use the power of pop culture to promote learning in your classroom.

memes in the classroom

Humor (well, appropriate humor!) in the classroom is always a great idea. That’s why memes are such a fun and engaging tool to promote learning. They’re a fun and easy way to capture students’ attention and can be used for assignments as an alternative outlet for creative expression.

Creating memes is a fairly simple process. Here are a few tools you can use: Livememe ,  Quickmeme, Meme Generator and AutoMotivator . (A word of caution: These sites have images preloaded that may not be appropriate for your grade level. Be sure to check them out before you let your students loose.) 

Also, sometimes memes cross the line from hilarious to snarky and irreverent in a quick beat. If you choose to assign your students meme creation as a class assignment, be sure to make your expectations clear from the get-go. For example, no foul language, no sexual references, no (implied) cultural insensitivity.

Here are seven ways to engage your students with memes in the classroom.

1. To reinforce class rules and policies

Using humor to remind students of classroom rules is more effective and less threatening than constant verbal reminders. And wouldn’t you rather get your point across with a chuckle than an eye roll and a huffy breath? 

'If ya wanted a grade, ya shoulda put ya name on it.'

2. To illustrate grammar rules

Combine grammar rules with funny images to help students remember them better. 

Comma meme for teachers.

3. To build vocabulary

Let your students have a crack at illustrating words on their vocabulary list with memes. It allows for much more creative thinking. Students will have to understand the word fully before they can match it to an image. Also, memes are much less boring than your standard vocabulary worksheet.  

Dawnson's Creek meme for vocabulary for teachers.

4. To respond to literature.  

Assign students to small groups and have each group create a meme to summarize a section of the class novel (or a set of chapters from the class novel). 

Student group work meme.

Here’s how one teacher used memes for an assignment when her students were reading   Hunger Games: Catching Fire.

5. To introduce concepts and units with humor

Engage your students in a topic before you even begin by creating and displaying an intriguing meme to catch their attention as they walk into the classroom.

'That is so four score and seven years ago.'

6. To respond to historical events

Make history lessons relevant by putting a modern twist on your students’ method of expression. Click on the link above to read more about “the power that memes have to foster storytellers and connect students with experiences and individuals from the past.”

Meme for history teachers.

7. To lighten up your math class

Most students would be hard-pressed to find the humor in mathematics, but memes lighten up the topic and put students in a creative frame of mind to find solutions. 

Cat meme about odd job.

For more ideas about using memes in the classroom, check out ISTE’s 5 Ways to Use Memes with Students.  

What is your favorite way to use memes in the classroom? Come share in our WeAreTeachers Helpline group on Facebook.

Also, check out How I Use Instagram in High School Language Arts . 

7 Creative and Smart Ways to Use Memes in the Classroom

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20 Fun Meme Activities For Students 

March 15, 2023 //  by  Kaluki Kaluku

Memes have become a popular form of communication in the digital age. They are humorous, relatable, and easy to share; making them an effective tool for engaging students in the learning process! We’ve compiled a list of 20 meme activities that teachers can use to inject some fun into their lessons. From creating memes to analyzing and interpreting them, these activities will help students develop critical thinking and digital literacy skills while having a good laugh.

1. Meme Creation Contest

meme assignment literature

In this activity, students are asked to make their own memes about the subject being taught. Students can make memes using free online tools like Canva or Meme Generator. The teacher can then put the memes up in class or share them online to make learning fun and interactive.

Learn More: Kent Blog

2. Meme Analysis Worksheet

meme assignment literature

The teacher provides the class with a worksheet that has a variety of memes that are relevant to the subject that is being covered. The students will then examine and analyze the memes; searching for recurring themes, patterns, and messages. This helps foster the growth of critical thinking as well as digital literacy.

Learn More: Studocu

3. Meme-Based Writing Prompts

Participation in this exercise requires using memes as a source of creative writing inspiration. Students may be provided with a variety of memes and then challenged to compose a piece of writing (such as a short story, poem, or essay) that is based on the concepts and ideas that are conveyed in the memes.

Learn More: Early Mae

4. Meme Caption Writing Challenge

meme assignment literature

In order to participate in this activity, students are given a variety of memes without the accompanying captions. Then, students are given the task of coming up with their own captions; improving their sense of humor and creativity.

Learn More: Nvidia

5. Meme Review Game

meme assignment literature

To participate in this activity, students are tasked with recalling a previous lesson or section by developing memes that are relevant to the material. After then, the teacher may put up the memes and use them in a manner that is both entertaining and informative to go over the topic again.

Learn More: Education World

6. Meme Art Contest

meme assignment literature

Students are asked to design their own memes using conventional art equipment such as pencils, markers, and paper as part of the exercise. This enables a more hands-on approach to the creation of memes and encourages students to think imaginatively about the assignments they are given.

Learn More: Know Your Meme

7. Meme-Based Research Assignment

meme assignment literature

In this activity, students are tasked with doing research on a certain subject and developing memes that are relevant to the material they discover. Students’ research abilities are enhanced and they are encouraged to think creatively about the information they’re learning.

Learn More: India Bioscience

8. Meme-Based Debate

Students participate in an exercise in which they will be asked to generate memes relating to a debated subject and then use those memes to support their points. Students are encouraged to think critically about their points by adopting a more visual and creative approach to discussions.

Learn More: Debate

9. Meme Analysis Discussion Forum

During this activity, the teacher will have the students create a discussion forum in which they share and talk about memes that are connected to the subject that is being taught. Both critical thinking and teamwork are encouraged.

Learn More: Global Literature

10. Meme-Themed Trivia Game

In this activity, a trivia game based on memes associated with the lesson’s subject matter is created. Learning may be made more engaging and interactive by having students work in groups or alone to answer questions and compete for points.

Learn More: SnackNation

11. Meme Scavenger Hunt

meme assignment literature

Memes that are related to the subject being taught in class are distributed around the classroom. Then, the students are tasked with locating and studying the memes which help them enhance their analytical thinking and observational abilities.

Learn More: Alex Milsom

12. Meme Quiz Show

meme assignment literature

The activity involves the creation of a framework similar to a quiz show in which students respond to questions about memes and the subject that is being taught. This may be done on an individual basis or in groups and promotes participation as well as learning.

Learn More: Promethean World

13. Meme Storytelling Activity

meme assignment literature

Engaging in this activity requires using memes as a source of storytelling inspiration. Students have the opportunity to enhance their creativity as well as their storytelling abilities by selecting a meme and writing a tale that is inspired by the picture.

Learn More: AML

14. Meme-Based Vocabulary Lesson

meme assignment literature

Students can make memes using new vocabulary they are learning and then share them with the rest of the class; making studying more enjoyable and interactive.

Learn More: FluentU

15. Meme Creation as a Form of Reflection

As part of this exercise, students will reflect on the knowledge they’ve gained through creating memes. Students have the opportunity to generate memes that are reflective of their understanding of the topic.

Learn More: School Library Journal

16. Meme Grammar Lesson

meme assignment literature

Students have the opportunity to generate memes that illustrate various grammar rules and share them with the rest of the class. 

Learn More: Learn English

17. Meme Interpretation Group Project

meme assignment literature

This activity includes giving groups of students a meme and asking them to analyze the meaning and message behind the picture. Both critical thinking and teamwork are encouraged here.

Learn More: Ruin My Week

18. Meme Comparison Activity

meme assignment literature

This activity involves comparing and contrasting various memes that are connected to the topic being taught. In doing so, they’ll strengthen their critical thinking and analytical abilities.

Learn More: Mrs. Orman’s Classroom

19. Meme-Based Social Media Campaign

meme assignment literature

This activity involves constructing a social media campaign utilizing memes relating to the subject being taught. Students may develop memes and distribute them on social media channels to increase awareness and connect with a larger audience.

Learn More: UTA

20. Meme-Based Brainstorming Activity

In this exercise, the teacher will use memes to generate ideas that are connected to the topic that is being taught. Students have the ability to generate memes that reflect a variety of concepts and then utilize them as a starting point for further debate and investigation. This inspires both individual creativity and good teamwork.

Learn More: iFunny

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