Mary Kay Morrison

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The Funny Lit ProjectCertified Laughter Reader
(CLR)

• Mary Kay Morrison
• http//www.questforhumor.com/
• Education Advisor for Funny Lit Project
• http//www.humormonth.com/funnyLiteracy.html

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FUNNY LITERACYUsing Humor to Help Kids Enjoy
Reading

• Goals
• To provide incentives for kids to love reading
  by having them complete activities based on
  reading humorous books.
• To encourage kids to embrace their own sense of
  humor and laughter.
• To promote positive expressions of humor.
• To promote laughter and humor as a feel-good
  factor when reading, by encouraging reading
  together.
• To discover the pleasure of funny books in
  families, schools and libraries.

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Motivation can be a Challenge!
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History

• The World Laughter Tour, Inc., (WLT) created by
  psychologist Steve Wilson, trains lay persons and
  professionals in a systematic therapeutic
  laughter method. The method capitalizes on the
  universality of laughter and the positive
  benefits of laughter, humor and mirth, chiefly as
  tools for health, happiness, stress reduction,
  self-confidence, academic achievement, and
  interpersonal harmony.
• More than 5,000 people have been trained and
  earned the designation Certified Laughter Leader
  (CLL). The program is embraced by hospitals,
  schools, and workplaces.Wilson is director of
  National Humor Month (April), a licensed
  psychologist, educator, author, and professional
  speaker. He has been pursuing the allure of humor
  and laughter professionally since 1984.

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HOW CLR WORKS

• Kids complete a prescribed reading activity
• Can be a classroom or a school project
• Example Students read one hour a week of funny
  books, in fifteen minute intervals, during the
  school year plus a follow-up-activity, e.g., tell
  a joke, write a poem, or draw a picture. Eligible
  kids will receive the designation of Certified
  Laughter Reader.
• Entire School Challenge--all kids to read one
  funny book a month until April-National Humor
  Month Celebration. Plan an all school celebration
  event.
• Actual requirements are decided locally.

EDUCATORS GET TO CHOOSE!
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Share Ideas and Strategies

• Divide into groups.
• Share how you follow up on books you have read.
• Discuss how you do book reports.
• Talk about how you have kids write about books.
• What is the funniest book you have read to the
  kids?
• Report to the group!

Lets Read Ourselves Silly !
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CLR Resources On Line

• PARTICIPATION/REGISTRATION If you would like to
  participate, e-mail Steve Wilson (info below) to
  register.
• Support materials (tracking, etc.) are being
  developed by the child staff librarians at the
  Bethel Park Library in Bethel Park, PA, and are
  available on line.
• Websites to visit for more information
• www.worldlaughtertour.com
• www.humormonth.com
• www.laughterfoundation.org
• Email
• www.stevewilson.com

Steve Wilson, 1-800-NOW-LAFF(669-5233)
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Using Humor To Maximize Learningby Mary Kay
Morrison

• Chapters
• The Tonic for Tired Educators
• Developing your Humor Being A Nut is Born
• Mouse Droppings Examining Brain Research and
  Humor
• Hurtful Humor NO Laughing Matter
• The Humor Workout Pumping Up with Practice
• Its a Circus Out There
• Survival Humor for Stressed Leaders

Using Humor to Maximize Learning Mary Kay
Morrison Rowman and Littlefield Education. Blue
Ridge Summit, PA. Dec. 2007 http//www.rowmaneduca
tion.com