Humor & Sarcasm
Humor - Not sarcasm or humor at the expense of people.
Examples:
Stated wishfully (Works better with younger children.)
- If I had a magic wand I would ...
- Let's see if we can wish for ...
Or something outlandish. (Works better with younger children.)
Important aspects related to humor:
- Genuine humor has to be a statement about something that the individual or the entire group or class understand.
- A rapport must be established with students for humor to be useful.
- If it can, then laughter exercises the lungs, increases the blood oxygen level, increases circulation and metabolism, and gently tones the entire cardiovascular system. Following a laugh, muscles relax, and pulse rate and blood pressure temporarily declines, Since muscle relaxation and anxiety cannot exist at the same time, a good, hearty laugh may buy you up to 45 minutes of relaxation. Laughter also releases endorphins, the body’s natural painkiller.
Sarcasm
- Sarcasm can offend those to whom the sarcasm is directed as well as any by stander listeners. Not a good way to build rapport.
- It erodes trust, embarrasses students in front of their peers, can humiliate,
- People may laugh at sarcasm, as a coping mechanism, but cringe inside.
- At best it is poking fun and at worst it is used at the expense of another person, not a way to build a risk free positive classroom. Student's will be less likely to take a risk in answering questions or being creative.
- Sarcasm does not teach. It does not tell what should be done or provide a positive experience.