Emotions
Mr. Jones announces a pop quiz. Sarah slouches forward, her eyes widen, and she taps her pencil quickly while biting her lip.
nervous, anxious, stressed, unprepared
When the fire alarm rang, we all got out in the nick of time—just before the smoke filled the hallway.
Something happened just barely on time, before it was too late.
When the teacher announced a surprise quiz, Ethan’s stomach was a rock, heavy and sinking as he stared at the paper on his desk.
His stomach felt heavy because he was worried or nervous.
Why did the math book look so sad?
Because it had too many problems.
Problems can mean math exercises or life troubles, which makes the book seem sad like a person.
Marcus looks at his math test, grins, raises his eyebrows, and fist-pumps under the desk before showing his grade to a friend.
proud, happy, excited, confident
After the soccer game, Mia was on cloud nine, smiling, laughing, and telling everyone how proud she was of her goal.
Feeling very happy or joyful
During group work, Maria was the glue that held everyone together, reminding her classmates of deadlines and helping them stay focused.
She kept the group organized and connected.
Why did the football team go to the bank?
To get their quarterback.
Quarterback is both a football position and “a quarter back” (25 cents returned), creating a pun.
During group work, Jasmine leans back with arms crossed, sighs loudly, and rolls her eyes when others suggest ideas.
frustrated, annoyed, bored, uninterested
Even though Jacob had studied for hours, when the teacher handed out the test, he suddenly got cold feet and didn’t want to take it.
becoming nervous or losing courage at the last moment
After scoring the winning point, Jordan was a shining star, with everyone cheering, clapping, and calling his name as he left the court.
He was the center of attention and admired by others.
What’s the best way to make a tissue dance?
Put a little boogie in it.
Boogie means a style of dance and also mucus, so the joke plays on both meanings.
The teacher asks who forgot to turn in last night’s homework. Liam glances around quickly, then looks down at his desk. He fidgets with his notebook and avoids the teacher’s eyes, his face turning slightly red.
guilty, embarrassed, ashamed, regretful
When our group didn’t plan ahead, we were in hot water with the teacher for not finishing the project on time.
in trouble or facing consequences
When the principal entered the noisy cafeteria, his stare was an icy wind that swept over the students, and the room quickly grew silent.
His look was so cold and intimidating that it made everyone quiet.
Why did the music teacher go to the principal’s office?
Because she found herself in treble.
Treble is the high-pitched part of music and sounds like “trouble,” making it a musical pun.
At lunch, friends are laughing about a birthday party. David stares at his tray, picks at his food, and avoids eye contact, his eyebrows slightly furrowed.
left out, sad, jealous, lonely
During the debate, Ava said something rude without thinking, and then she quickly realized she had put her foot in her mouth when the class went silent.
saying something embarrassing or inappropriate
While presenting her poem, Lily’s voice was a river, flowing smoothly at times but crashing with emotion as she read the most powerful lines.
Her voice moved like water—calm in places, intense in others, showing strong emotion.
Why don’t scientists trust atoms?
Because they make up everything.
Make up means to compose matter and also to lie, so the joke flips between science and dishonesty.