Today, I faced an unexpected challenge with my 8th-grade class during a lesson on cyberbullying. Despite the serious nature of the topic, the students laughed during a video highlighting the consequences of bullying. This reaction was surprising, as they understood the video's message but didn't take it seriously.

In reflecting on this, I considered several explanations: the students might not have personal experience with bullying, they could be influenced by peer pressure, or they might use humor as a defense mechanism to cope with discomfort. Connecting these ideas to Glasser's Choice Theory and Freud's theory of humor helped me understand their behavior better.

Initially, I felt puzzled and concerned about their reaction. However, through my conversation with Noa, I gained clarity. Noa helped me explore the possibility that laughter was a defense mechanism, guiding me to consider how I might address this in future lessons.

As the conversation progressed, my feelings shifted from confusion to determination. I realized the importance of incorporating humor into my teaching to engage students and help them reflect on the impact of their humor. I plan to introduce activities that allow students to express themselves humorously while also confronting the seriousness of the topics.

This experience taught me the value of understanding student behavior and adapting my teaching strategies accordingly. Moving forward, I am committed to creating a classroom environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves while also recognizing the impact of their actions.

In teaching, every challenge is an opportunity to learn and grow.