Mary Kay Morrison Education Advisor for Funny Lit Project The Funny Lit Project Certified Laughter Reader (CLR)

FUNNY LITERACY Using 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.

Motivation can be a Challenge!

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.

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 !

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!

CLR Resources On Line PARTICIPATION/REGISTRATION: If you would like to participate, 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: Steve Wilson, NOW-LAFF( )

Using Humor To Maximize Learning by Mary Kay Morrison 8 Using Humor to Maximize Learning Mary Kay Morrison Rowman and Littlefield Education. Blue Ridge Summit, PA. Dec 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 It’s a Circus Out There Survival Humor for Stressed Leaders