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?