Full Description
"A challenging opportunity for the teacher to capitalize on this all-too-often overlooked student."
—Donald W. Russell, Professor Emeritus and Acting Dean
School of Education, University of North Carolina, Greensboro
"Offers much needed fresh air and insightful messages."
—John J. Schmidt, Professor of Counselor Education
East Carolina University
"For a class clown, reading this book was like looking into a mirror. But I looked, sounded, and seemed smarter in Purkey's mirror."
—Tim Cusack, Speaker, Trainer, Actor
Leverage the unique humor of class clowns to improve classroom management and student motivation!
This first-of-its-kind resource shows teachers, administrators, and counselors how to teach these unique yet at-risk learners while also leveraging their blend of humor and intelligence to inject joy and enthusiasm into the classroom. Written by a veteran educator (and self-described class clown), this concise guide combines laugh-out-loud writing with the author's field-tested expertise to help educators:
Identify the four "signature" tendencies of class clowns
Employ practical classroom strategies to keep instruction moving
Prevent class clowns from acting out by understanding how to teach them
Contents
Foreword by Sally Butzin
Preface
Acknowledgments
About the Author
1. Appreciating Class Clowns
Introduction
The Case for Class Clowns
Having Fun as a Teaching Strategy
Breeding Ground for Professional Comedians
Who Is a Class Clown?
The Value of Cheerfulness
Encore
2. Understanding Class Clowns.
Humor Brain Drain
Friendly Clowns and Hostile Clowns
Friendly Clowns
Hostile Clowns
Class Clown Relationships
The Art of Clowning
Tribulations of Class Clowns
Signature Tendencies of Class Clowns
Encore
3. Investing
The Value of Investing
How to Teach Class Clowns Through Investing
Share Responsibilities
Form Triads
Spotlight Talent
Modify the Grading System
Encourage Special Interest Groups
What Class Clowns Can Teach Us About Investing
Any Attempt Is a Victory
If it's Worth Doing, It's Worth Doing Poorly
Be a Rubber Ball
Encore
4. Asserting
The Value of Asserting
How to Teach Class Clowns Through Asserting
Be Positive With Directives
Use No-Cut Contracts
Promote Civility
Involve Clowns in Decisions
What Class Clowns Can Teach Us About Asserting
Keep a Sense of Humor
Don't Take Yourself Too Seriously
Challenge Authority
Promote Democratic Values
Encore
5. Relating
The Value of Relating
How to Teach Class Clowns Through Relating
Use Inclusive Pronouns
Brighten the Classroom
Build Class Spirit
Conduct Field Studies
Play That Funky Music
What Class Clowns Can Teach Us About Relating
Savor Every Moment
Enjoy Life
Fight Fair
Encore
6. Coping
The Value of Coping
How to Teach Class Clowns Through Coping
Keep the Volcano From Erupting
Listen to the Ice
Follow the Six C's
What Class Clowns Can Teach Us About Coping
Capitalize on Bad Moments
Count on Serendipity
Find Humor in Frustrations
Be Suspicious of Hearsay
Conclusion
A Final Encore
Bibliography
Index
