Issue link: http://educator.cta.org/i/2866
YVETTa FRanKlIn Second-grade teacher at Tyrell Elementary School and Hayward Education Association member. Her SHtick During roll call, having students reply with their favorite food instead of their name, such as “tuna” or “hot dog” or “chocolate.” Singing funny songs — often accompanied by piano or dancing — such as “On the Road Again” when it’s time for recess; “Mama Said There’ll Be Days Like This” when struggling with difficult concepts; or “That’s the Way I Like It” when students earn good grades. Acting out vocabulary words — such as “transfixed” — by standing frozen, with a look of amazement on her face. reaSon for USing HUmor “I do not have a lot of behavior problems. That doesn’t mean they are all perfect, of course. It keeps me energized. I’m the Energizer Bunny.” HUmor advice “Don’t listen to your colleagues who say all the fun is gone from teaching. Refuse to believe it.” GaRY aRz amEnDI Fifth-grade teacher at Joe Stefani Elementary School and Merced City Teachers Association member. HiS SHtick Dramatizations of how not to act, such as how students may be “glum” on a Monday, offering up a tragic “good morning” and then asking, “What’s so good about it?” Or re-enacting how some students may “pretend” to be reading when they are actually daydreaming. BeSt Line to StUdentS “Don’t say, ‘I don’t know’ when I ask you a question. Say ‘I don’t know yet.’ Because I’ve been working so hard to teach you this [pretends to cry], and if you say you don’t know, I will feel sooo bad.” reaSon for USing HUmor “It keeps teaching fresh. And I’m having a great time, along with the kids.” HUmor advice “Don’t deliver humor in a way that will make someone feel bad. Don’t be the guy who puts the bucket on top of the door.” HElEn PaPaDOPOul OS Also known as “Mrs. Pop,” algebra teacher at Suzanne Middle School in Walnut, California Teacher of the Year in 2007, and Walnut Valley Education Association member. Her SHtick Keeps random toys from the 99 cent store in her apron pocket and hands them out ceremonially with utmost seriousness for correct answers. Pretends it is “breaking her heart” to part with such items. A UCLA fan, she pretends to be angry and “riled up” when students wear USC sweatshirts to class. Asks students to rub their tummies and pat their heads at the same time to “get both the left and right sides of their brain working.” reaSon for USing HUmor “In the technological age we live in with personal networking sites like MySpace and Facebook — plus videogames — we must compete to get their attention. The more animated and crazier I am, the more they pay attention.” HUmor advice “Let students know we don’t cross that line between what’s funny and what’s disrespectful. Show them by your example.” Santiago High School students Earnest Sayles and Hilary Sizemore crack up in math teacher and Corona-Norco Teachers Association member Jeffrey Luscher’s classroom. 7 humor into the bring classroom inventive ways to seven • Reserve a corner of your board for a “Joke of the Day” or “Funny Factoid of the Day.” • Post funny quotes and class rules around the room. • daylong classroom events such as “Space Alien Day” or “Funny Hat Day.” activities that allow students to act out, sing, or perform • • Taboo, Apples to Apples and other face-to-face games when teaching vocabulary. • Post funny quotes and class rules around the room. • From Michael Lovorn, humor researcher and California Faculty Association member. material in front of class. Play Password, Plan frequent Plan themed, Set aside a few minutes to allow students to share funny stories or events from their lives.