Laughing and Learning: An Alternative to Shut Up and Listen

155 Pages·2009·1.49 MB·English

by  Peter M. Jonas

L A U G H I N G A N D
L E A R N I N G
An Alternative to Shut Up and Listen
Peter M. Jonas
ROWMAN & LITTLEFIELD EDUCATION
A division of
Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Lanham (cid:129) New York (cid:129) Toronto (cid:129) Plymouth, UK
Published by Rowman & Littlefield Education
A division of Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
A wholly owned subsidiary of The Rowman & Littlefield Publishing Group,
Inc.
4501 Forbes Boulevard, Suite 200, Lanham, Maryland 20706
http://www.rowmaneducation.com
Estover Road, Plymouth PL6 7PY, United Kingdom
Copyright © 2010 by Peter M. Jonas
Digital graphics by Kou Vang
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or
by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and
retrieval systems, without written permission from the publisher, except by a
reviewer who may quote passages in a review.
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Information Available
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Jonas, Peter M.
Laughing and learning : an alternative to shut up and listen / Peter M. Jonas.
p. cm.
Includes bibliographical references.
ISBN 978-1-60709-316-9 (cloth : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-60709-317-6
(pbk. : alk. paper) — ISBN 978-1-60709-318-3 (electronic)
1. Teaching. 2. Classroom environment. 3. Wit and humor in education.
4. Motivation in education. I. Title.
LB1027.J58 2010
371.102—dc22
2009027292
(cid:2) ™
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum requirements of
American National Standard for Information Sciences—Permanence of Paper
for Printed Library Materials, ANSI/NISO Z39.48-1992.
Printed in the United States of America
Dedicated to Katie, Mel, and Kevin:
always learn, laugh, and live.

CONTENTS
List of Figures and Tables vii
Foreword ix
Acknowledgments xiii
1 Laughing and Learning, Not Laughing or Learning 1
2 Humor Builds Culture in Schools and Classrooms 11
3 Humor Improves Classroom Instruction 27
4 Humor Builds Relationships and Teamwork 43
5 Humor Improves Communication 57
6 Humor Reduces Tension and Stress 65
7 Humor Promotes Creativity and Divergent Thinking 77
8 Humor Can Help Adjust Student Behavior 95
9 Humor Helps Teachers Maintain Interest at Work 105
10 Conclusion 117
References 123
About the Author 139
v

FIGURES AND TABLES
Figure 1.1. Picture of female brain 6
Figure 1.2. Picture of male brain 7
Figure 3.1. Always give 100 percent at work 38
Table 5.1. List of oxymorons 59
Figure 7.1. Dendrites and neurons 82
Figure 7.2. Dr. Pepper 84
Figure 7.3. Light beer 85
Figure 7.4. Egg plant 86
Figure 7.5. Card shark 86
Figure 7.6. Pool table 87
Figure 7.7. iPod 88
Figure 7.8. Assaulted peanut 88
Figure 7.9. Gator aid 89
vii

FOREWORD
Robert J. Marzano
F
or decades I have combed through the research and theory on instruc-
tional strategies that can enhance student achievement. While the use of
humor comes up frequently as a potentially powerful instructional tool,
I have never found a comprehensive, research-based treatment of the
topic that speaks to the classroom teacher—until now.
It is certainly true that there are a number of books on humor, but the
vast majority focus on how to write or tell jokes, or how to use humor
in speeches, or they may simply be books explaining various aspects of
humor, for example, joke books. Drawing on research and brain-based
concepts, this book is unique because it presents a theoretical model,
along with practical examples of its integration into the classroom and
schools. The purpose of the book is to provide to teachers and admin-
istrators a research-based approach for using humor in schools. It is an
attempt to explain eight strategies for using humor and then provide a
variety of techniques that are designed to be practical applications. The
intent is that teachers will be able to take the lessons learned and apply
their own personal touch to improve the academic environment. One of
the best aspects of the material is that you do not have to be a stand-up
comic in order to use the information. In fact, the book is designed to
apply to both the novice and master teacher. Peter Jonas provides an
ix