Thanks to You

Once again, some fantastic comments in each posting. Please take the time to read the posts of others from the class--they are very enlightening, insightful, and sometimes humorous. Please continue to read the text (if you have not already went ahead).

Pay close attention to:

• Section 18 Thanks To You (page 55)--quite a tribute to you as an educator
• Section 20 Humor Homework (pg. 61)-- some great ideas to possibly implement as part of your final project.
• Section 21 Play Sheet--Ways to influence your classroom and school environment
• Please post AHAS and thoughts from these sections.
  

Benefits of Laughter

• Look at the major benefits to laughter and play in your classroom from page 33:
• maintain a high attention level
• relieve physical and mental stress
• build rapport
• increase retention
• enhance self-esteem
• promote divergent thinking
• bring new insights
• allow for pleasurable learning
• increase feeling of hope
  

Wow! Huge benefits!

Take "The Laughing Classroom Quiz on pages 34-35.

Please post thoughts and AHAS from the reading in The Laughing Classroom so far.
Ideas:

• (Remember these are just guidelines and all of the following do not have to be answered)
• Any questions from the page 24 Play Sheet.
• Paula Parrot and the Carrot--What makes you feel alive and what does this story have to do with education (pg. 29-31)
• Discuss your Gratitude and Humor Journal entries and how they have influenced your lives.
• Your scores on the Laughing Classroom Quiz (Reflections...)

Humor Styles Pg 13-18

"Humor can act as a social lubricant or a social retardant in the educational setting. It can educate or denigrate, heal or harm, embrace or deface. It's a powerful communication tool, no matter which side is chosen."
--(Pg. 14 The Laughing Classroom)

Joy Master vs. Joke Maker vs. Life Mocker vs. Fun Meister

It is crucial for us to identify our humor style--it is such a powerful tool--we need to use it in an empowering manner!

Please discuss ways we can utilize this information to make our classrooms, colleagues, and schools better. Does your humor style bring you closer to your students? Does it enliven them or deaden them? Is it helping you reach your teaching goals? Is it enhancing and promoting a learning environment in your classroom?

"FUN" damental Attitude

"Wise Teachers Make Learning A Joy"
-Chinese Proverb

Assignments for this week:

For this week read the introduction and through page 11 of the text.

Please reflect on any ahas or main points on this weeks readings.

Share what you are already doing in your classrooms or daily lives that foster a "Fun-damental" Attitude.

After going over the Pop Quiz on pages 10 and 11 reflect on your personal results.

Click on comments to add your thoughts, feelings and ideas

Humor and Laughter Article Review

Humor and Laughter Article Review
After reading the articles Fun and the Immune System and Lighten Up please reflect on your thoughts and feelings.

The following questions were created to be thought provoking: ( you do not have to answer them all but they may aid you in your responses/reflections)

1) What were some of the AHA's that you encountered? (if any)

2) How can you utilize this information in your own personal life?

3) How can this information make you a more effective teacher/counselor/parent?

**Click on comments to read and leave your personal ideas**

Introductions

Introductions--Fun In The Classroom

Please introduce yourself to the rest of the class by answering the following questions:
1) Your Name
2) School/City
3) Grade level and subject that you teach
4) What hobbies do you have that create laughter and joy in your life

Click On Comments to Leave Your Post