Assignments Reminder

I. Personal Humor and Gratitude Journal 30%

Experience the Joy and Humor That Life Can Bring Develop Your Humor Skills

-- Create a Personal Humor and Gratitude Journal. When we train ourselves to focus on the humorous and joyous side of life this will spread into our personal and professional lives. This attitude is contagious--create an epidemic!

II. On-line Article Reviews, Discussions and Reflections 40%

Each week discussion questions will be posted at your convenience you will be expected to share thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

III. Humor Classroom Integration Project 30%

Complete the following assignments in Microsoft Word and email it to dbslowey@yahoo.com or it can be hand written/typed and mailed to the postal address provided in the class syllabus.

- Integrate humor and laughter into three of your existing classroom lessons. You may utilize techniques and ideas found in the text The Laughing Classroom or other resources of your choice. Create this lesson plan in a user friendly format according to your personal/school style.

-Create a list energizers that you can incorporate in your classroom to allow the release of endorphins and improve student learning.

- -Compile a list of 20 jokes, funny stories, or embarrassing moments to share with your students that will allow you to build rapport and enhance classroom climate.

I hope that all is well!

Please email me with any questions comments or concerns!

Laugh Often,

Dan Slowey

The Laughing Classroom Post

Hello All--
I hope that everyone is doing well. Continue to work on your assignments as outlined in the Fun In The Classroom syllabus.

The final project should be useful to you--remember it is flexible. The last thing that I want is busy work that will not benefit you and your goals for growth as an educator.

The journal and project can be turned in after completion via snail mail or email. There are many fantastic ideas throughout the book to integrate humor and play into your classroom.
Thanks, Dan

Assignment--

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!

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

Post thoughts and AHAS from the reading in The Laughing Classroom. 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

"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.

The Laughing Classroom--Page 11

"He who laughs most, learns best."
--John Cleese
Please refelect 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

Bring and Find the JOY of Teaching!

" ANCIENT EGYPTIANS BELVIEVED THAT UPON DEATH THEY WOULD BE ASKED...TWO QUESTIONS AND THEIR ANSWERS WOULD DETERMINE WHETHER THEY WOULD CONTINUE THEIR JOURNEY IN THE AFTERLIFE. THE FIRST QUESTION WAS, " DID YOU BRING JOY?" THE SECOND WAS, " DID YOU FIND JOY?"
--LEO BUSCAGLIA

In your gratitude journal please reflect on a memory of teaching when you found JOY and when you brought JOY!

Please click on comments and share your experience

Article Reviews

"Of all days, the day on which one has not laughed is the one most surely wasted."
Sébastien - Roch Nicolas de Chamfort

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 but they may aid you in your response/reflection)

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