"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."
"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?
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?
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3 comments:
I believe I am a "Joy Master." I think my students feel better about themselves for being a part of my life. My classroom is lively with my playfulness as well as their own. The students often seek me out in the hallway to banter about some crazy topic or to make fun of me or themselves. I laugh at myself, so they know it is okay to laugh at themselves. They tell me I sound like "Marge Simpson". Not the most flattering comment, but certainly one that brings a hearty laugh to the classroom. They know when they are going too far, and have learned to rein themselves in. I think I have a very warm and inviting classroom. It is because of the relationships I build with my students that I can get them to learn even when they are not sure they are learning.
I think if more teachers could reflect on their own humor style and learn how to use it in the classroom, the students would be more receptive to learning. I know that I have much less stress in my life now that I have realized how important laughter can be. The days go by quicker, I am less affected by my negative surroundings, and I make a point of trying to get others to find the humor in our situation. I truely love to go to work every day.
After reading about the various types of humor styles I would have to consider myself as a "Joy Master". I have at times been a "Fun Meister", but for the most part I would place myself in the "Joy Master" quadrant. I'm the type of person that when a situation is becoming to serious, I try to find something funny about the current situation. I do this while working with students on a regular basis. I try to make personal connections with students that are funny and warmhearted. We crack jokes, make fun of one another, discuss funny parts of shows we watch, etc. Whenever I notice that a child may be having a difficult day, I try to find something that's going to lift their spirits. I also find myself doing this with people that I work with. I tend to gravitate towards people who have a "light-hearted" approach to teaching. I have many work-home relationships that encompass humor and laughter. In school, I tend to have a lot of students around me who love to joke around, this in return opens the door for good communication and learning. In turn, the communication, learning, and laughter help me get through the day and obtain the goals that I had for the day.
I can say I am a Joy Master. I like to be playful in the classroom. I do like to tell teaching lessons which would also reflect a postive side of Joke Maker. It helps to know which students have a good sense of humor and can laugh at themselves. I try to teach my students it is okay to laugh at yourself. I make fun of myself when I say or do silly things so that they will feel comfortable when in the same postion. I think modeling this type of behavior is helpful.
Humor in the classroom is a great icebreaker. It is a wonderful way to get to know your students and allow them to get to know you. Now my students will make fun of my dog or joke about my kids and I laugh with them. It is like they know my family, even though they've never met.
I strongly believe in the old expression if you don't laugh, you might cry about it! If you can laugh off awkward or negative situations, you are less likely to dwell on the negative.
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