You are here

Teaching Class Clowns (And What They Can Teach Us)
Share
Share

Teaching Class Clowns (And What They Can Teach Us)

Foreword by Sally Butzin


March 2006 | 152 pages | Corwin
 "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

 
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

"An innovative topic, well presented. Any educator who reads this book without cracking a smile or having a good belly laugh is in the wrong business! Purkey's delightful expose about class clowns and the lessons to learn from them offers much needed fresh air and insightful messages."

John J. Schmidt, Professor of Counselor Education
East Carolina University

"Purkey's stories, research, wisdom, wit, and humor constantly encourage the reader to read on. He invites everyone to make the world a better place by adhering to his eight rules for a cheerful life."

Harvey A. Smith, Campus Minister
The State University of New York at Postam

"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
Owner of "Laughter That Matters", Grand Rapids, MI

"Humor is a super teaching instrument. Properly channeled, class clowns can provide sunshine for both the mind and heart in any classroom."

Newsletter of the Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean & Mexico

"Provides an excellent description of the characteristics of class clowns and makes recommendations concerning how to teach them. This book would be particularly instructive for new teachers who are just learning about the ups and downs of different types of classroom behaviors."

Gifted Education News-Page, August/September 2006

"Teachers are given suggestions on how to emphasize fun in learning activities, channel humor positively, and create a classroom atmosphere that fosters the development of talents, especially the gift of humor. This core message is consistent with the strength-based approach of positive psychology."

PsycCRITIQUES, August 2007, Vol. 52(33)

“Sounding like a veteran professor, a concerned father, and a clown himself, Purkey spends much time defending some of the most challenging—and often engaging—students in the classroom. His empathy for these students is apparent, but he is realistic too. Purkey’s strategies will help any teacher struggling to manage the behavior of a class clown or another problematic student.”

Middle Ground Magazine, August 2007, Vol. 11(1)
National Middle Schools Association

I wanted to look at this book because it could have been about me. I use it as a suggested reading in all the teaching and education classes because it lends important insight into the character of this type student

Mrs Anne Pinchera
Other, Excelsior College
December 6, 2010
  •  
Key features
  • An informative, lively, and concise guide to understanding and teaching class clowns, who often are both gifted and at risk learners.
  • Includes practical strategies for teachers, counselors, and school administrators.
  • Outstanding reviews: this book is laugh-out-loud funny in its own right
  • Author is an active consultant, speaker, and workshop trainer

Sample Materials & Chapters

Foreword

Chapter 1

Preface


For instructors

Select a Purchasing Option


Paperback
ISBN: 9781412937252
$29.95