Investigated effectiveness of paradoxical and nonparadoxical interventions with clients (N=53) possessing a high or low sense of humor. Found low sense of humor subjects improved significantly more with a paradoxical intervention than did high sense of humor subjects. (Author/ABL)

Presents humorous multiple-choice questions focusing on things parents should consider about colleges, such as what to look for on-campus visits (number of empty beer cans instead of number of books in the library) and how many days college will guarantee the student will stay at the school instead of percentage of students who pursue advanced…

Explains how Louis D. Rubin's theory of the "Great American Joke" (the gap between our cultural ideal and the everyday facts of American life and society) can be used to help students understand humor in an American literature unit. (SR)

Discusses the way in which poetry offers experiences with the unexpected through the element of surprise. Discusses ways in which poetry addresses concepts in social studies and sciences. (RJC)

Presents a facetious, ingenious resolution to the percentile dilemma concerning above- and below-average test scores. If schools enrolled the same number of pigs as students and tested both groups, the pigs would fill up the bottom half and all children would rank in the top 50 percent. However, some wrinkles need to be ironed out! (MLH)

The article describes how the creative use of "awareness plans" can empower teacher education students as learners and teachers. The approach makes use of concepts of metacognition and the value of play and humor and provides a formatted written exercise to increase self awareness. (DB)

Discusses lighthearted writing, much of which has a serious intent as well as two highly desirable qualities: writer satisfaction and reader-appeal. Offers examples of all sorts of lighthearted writing including lighthearted writing from the classroom. (SR)

Presents a short introduction by teacher Nancie Atwell to her eighth-grade student Joe Powning's annotated list of his nine favorite funny books. (SR)

Gathered data from 100 couples married 45 years or more to identify factors involved in stable and satisfying marriages. Variables identified as important were being married to someone person liked and enjoyed being with, commitment to spouse and marriage, sense of humor, and consensus on matters such as aims in life, friends, and decision making.…

Inspired by Niccolo Machiavelli, this column offers beleaguered school executives advice on looking good, dressing well, losing weight, beating the proper enemy, and saying nothing. Administrators who follow these simple rules should have an easier life, jealous colleagues, well-tended gardens, and respectful board members. (MLH)

Onomastics, the study of names, may serve to predict the odds of certain individuals to become a party to, and even for the eventual outcome of, litigation. Examples supporting the predictive qualities of onomastics are cited. (MLF)

Guidelines for using humor in training are as follows: (1) use a modicum of apt, relevant humor in an informative presentation; (2) self-disparaging humor enhances the presenter's image; (3) humor is only one factor that enhances interest; (4) apt, relevant humor does not affect persuasiveness; and (5) satire has unpredictable results. (SK)

Humor cannot solve every problem facing school administrators, but it can reduce the psychological gap between boss and staff, create camaraderie, increase problem-solving abilities, and help people cope. Administrators can look for humor, find a model, develop perspective, get support, revamp the office environment, start a "funny" file, swap…

Responses from 72 of 97 business faculty elicited samples of humorous incidents in business education and determined that business educators do not consider themselves humorous teachers but all use humor in class. Female teachers use humor, especially jokes, less frequently than male teachers. (JOW)

Recently, the National Academy of Sciences promulgated national standards for science education and defined scientific literacy. Literates should be able to describe, explain, and predict natural phenomena; understand popular-press articles on science; and evaluate the quality of scientific information, based on source and method. A fictional…