Product 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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2107564 in Books
• Published on: 2006-03-28
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 152 pages

Review
Leile Poppleton : "The book made me look at the class clown in a positive light rather than a negative disruptive individual. It gave me many ideas on how to channel the energy of a class clown in a positive direction."

Aaron Faletto, Music Teacher/Band Director : "It is not difficult to read, and in places is laugh-out-loud funny. I related several of the more humorous passages to my wife, and we both laughed heartily. I would recommend this book to my colleagues because we have all had students like these in class, and they can be most disruptive if they want to. Having some strategies to use with these special students will be most helpful."

Mark Sadler, 5th Grade Teacher : "First of all I was immediately able to see myself, and some of my antics, as a child, student, adult, police officer, and now a teacher! It was nice to finally be able to "come-out-of-the-closet" (so to speak) and truly be who I am! Second, I was able to apply a great deal of what was spoken of in helping my current Clown! He has responded marvelously! Third, this manuscript allowed me to look back at the errors I have made in working with students who identify with the Class Clown persona, and (hopefully) not repeat them."

Frank Parajes, Professor : "There are many good and concrete suggestions for practitioners. The author not only identifies the complex issues at stake but goes on to make appropriate suggestions for dealing with class clowns. Teachers will be energized."


Gerald A. Juhnke, Professor : "Purkey provides teachers a rare glimpse into the children behind the clowning student and describes nuts and bolts means to engage such students into the learning environment."

Anne Richards, Professor Emerita : "This is an uplifting, refreshing, informative, amusing and generally life-enhancing book that addresses a reality most teachers define as a problem the presence of class clowns in school rooms...offers practical suggestions for working with challenging individuals more productively for both teachers and students sakes... articulates a perspective that resonates with the disheartening experiences of many teachers, yet inspires them to go beyond the status quo to bring greater significance, meaning and humanity to their work as professional educators."

Ken Smith, Counseling and Educational Psychologist : "The book addresses an important area of education that has been neglected for too long of a time.   Not only is the book informative and addresses an important educational area, the author writes in a style that is easy reading and quite humorous.  The authors style of writing actively engages and invites the reader to think about his or her own past school experiences so as to become better teachers or administrators."

Daniel E. Shaw, Associate Professor, Behavioral Medicine : "In this delightfully written book, Dr. Purkey has captured the essence of those 'characters' whom all of us can relate with, having sat next to in school, been one ourselves (class clown) or endured the challenges of teaching these scamps. I have gained a more compassionate insight into multifaceted qualities of all those I teach."

Zacharie J. Clements, President : "Dr. Purkey has gifted a joyous affirmation to all whose philosophy for effective living is anchored in the belief: 'A day without laughter is a day without sunshine.' "

Donald W. Russell, Professor Emeritus and Acting Dean : "Finally, the true significance of the 'class clown' has been professionally identified and analyzed as a functional teaching source. . . [and] presented as a challenging opportunity for the teacher to capitalize on this all-too-often over-looked student."

John J. Schmidt, Professor of Counselor Education : "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."

Harvey A. Smith, Campus Minister : "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."

Tim Cusack, Speaker, Trainer, Actor : "For a class clown reading this book was like looking into a mirror. But I looked, sounded, and seemed smarter in Purkey's mirror."

Newsletter of the Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean & Mexico : "Humor is a super teaching instrument. Properly channeled, class clowns can provide sunshine for both the mind and heart in any classroom."

Gifted Education News-Page, August/September 2006 : "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."

PsycCRITIQUES, August 2007, Vol. 52(33) : "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."

About the Author
William Watson Purkey is Professor Emeritus of Counselor Education at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro and Co-Founder of the International Alliance for Invitational Education. The Alliance is a non-profit educational group dedicated to creating and maintaining truly welcoming schools.

William was born in Shenandoah, Virginia and went on to become a soda jerk, theatre usher, life guard, book store clerk, fish store manager, railroad yard clerk, gandy dancer, U.S. National Park Ranger, junior high school teacher, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist in the United States Air Force, and tenured full professor at two major universities.

In addition to receiving the Board of Governors' Award for Excellence inTeaching, the highest award for teaching given by the University of North Carolina System, he also received the 2005 Excellence in Education Award presented by the Royal Conservatory of Music for his work in encouraging learning through the arts.

William's mission in life is to invite others to laugh, learn, and live fully. He now lives in Greensboro, North Carolina with Imogene, his bride of 54 years.