MuseForJews

What is a meme? A meme is any symbol or concept that is copied, imitated and easily shared via social media. Often, it is a photo with a unique quote laid on top of it. A classic example would be a photo of a “grumpy” cat, with a quote complaining about well, anything, such as Mondays, annoying co-workers or lack of coffee. Memes can be a terrific tool to engage students and help them think about a subject in a new way. 

For a more complete explanation of memes, and how they work, check out this video. 

Three websites that can help you create your own memes are:

• Memegenerator
• Memecreator and 
• Recite.com  (supports Hebrew!)

All three provide multiple, free-use photographs, and will place any quote that you type in along the top and bottom of it. (If you use social media, you’ll recognize many of the images offered).

To make your own meme, just click on “create” at the top of these sites, enter your text, and click on “generate.” The sites will then offer you the options of sharing it on various social media sites, or, downloading it to your own computer.

Be aware that if you choose to generate memes in your classroom, that memes created by other users are visible on these site. (Some are not the most appropriate.)

There are also many iOS apps out that will generate memes, including Mematic, Make a Meme and Meme Producer.

In Your Classroom

• Generate a meme, and use it as a tool to introduce a new subject.
• Encourage critical thinking by creating and presenting a “half-meme,” providing only the top line of the quote, and leaving the bottom line empty for your students to fill in.
• Create your own “classroom rules” memes.
• For an ice-breaker activity at the beginning of year, have each student create a personal meme.
• As your students to imagine:  What kind of memes would Moses have created? How about Joseph?