Class
Clown
Technique:
This may be a social leader role. It is chosen frequently by children
who are babies in the family, by those with alternative learning styles,
and by those who have a gift for humor. With assistance, this can be therapeutic
and provide stimulation and great delight for the entire classroom.
Procedures: Give this student a fringe seating position if possible
so the teacher and student are not competing for the classroom stage.
Praise positive behavior and at the same time stay task focused. Do not
"take the bait" to be the "fall guy" and do not become
angry. Instead, direct the behavior to appropriate times. This type of
role may be taken by individuals as a way of coping with frustration and
grief in daily life. Therefore it is not wise to ignore the person, rather
to be nurturant and caring.
- Jim Carrey
was a student in someone's high school class
- Whoopi
Goldberg lightened a classroom somewhere.
- Mark Twain
went to school. Was he Huck Finn or Tom Sawyer?
- Benson
doodled in school despite his teachersâ best efforts to halt him.
- Steven
Spielberg was a budding genius.
- The cartoon,
"School is Hell," came from first hand experience.
If you
were the teacher of these talented people, would they dedicate something
in your honor?
It is appropriate to assist students in learning and understanding variations
of group dynamics and ways of interacting successfully through instruction,
modeling and practice. This may be a valuable use of instructional time,
not only for this type of student, but for all classmates.
Caution: Clowning and teasing is acceptable if it does not demean or degrade
others. This is especially important to recall when the "butt"
of the humor is a minority or appears to feel victimized. It is easy for
us to fail to perceive injury if cultural differences cloud our understanding.
It is not humor if there is a power differential and someone is being
"put down" no matter how subtly.
You grow up the day you have the first real laugh -- at yourself.
- Ethel Barrymore
Humor is a wonderful tool in the classroom. Most youngsters enjoy a teacher
who can play a number or roles, occasionally play the buffoon, read with
altered voice parts and enjoy moving the face into amusing positions.
Want to know more about the power of drama, humor, music, and activities
in the classroom at all ages? Try these books! Spice up your class and
you will immediately diminish discipline and behavior problems.
Resources:
Brady, M & Gleason, P.T. (1994) Artstarts, Englewood, Colorado:
Teacher Ideas Press.
Leveton,
E. (1992), A Clinicianâs guide to psychodrama. New York: Springer.
Spolin, V.
(1986). Theater Games in the classroom. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern
University Press.
A
sense of humor is what makes you laugh at something which would make you
mad if it happened to you
- Anon.
Once you
have completed this topic you should:
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