How can you be a class clown without getting in trouble?

Answer 1

A word about being the "class clown"

Many people think that they always have to be funny in order to make other people like them, or to distract others and themselves from their emotions. This doesn't work - always having a smart remark or a comeback line can get very annoying!

If you are using jokes and smart remarks as a way to avoid dealing with your stress and your emotions, I encourage you to try healthier ways of dealing - cognitive behavioral therapy has worked for me and for many, many people that I know personally. It helps you un-learn bad habits you have for dealing with life and learn new healthy habits instead.

There is a big difference between joking because you enjoy being a comedian and joking to distract attention from the fact that you're really miserable inside!


That said ...

Here are some tips to help you be funny at school without getting in trouble

• Don't interrupt. If you have something funny to say, be sure that you are not interrupting the teacher or another student. If your class is fairly serious, you might even raise your hand to be called upon by the teacher before you tell everyone your joke
• Watch the people around you. You can tell by facial expressions and body language if other people think you are being funny or being annoying. If you are getting a lot of frowns, groans, and people looking away, you should save the clown act for later - see below also.
  
• Save the funny act for later. If you are good at acting silly, horseplay, and things like funny walks or imitations, save that for lunch, recess, or other times when you have lots of free time and more people who can enjoy it. Doing something like that during class is interrupting and keeps everybody from learning.
• Try acting. Many professional comedians get their start by being funny on stage at school. Check out your drama department or acting club. Ask around to see if there is a talent show where you could try out your comedy routine. See if you can start a joke-telling contest or "who can make the silliest face" contest or anything at all to get other people involved.
• Study comedy. Professional comedians study other comedians. They do a lot of research to find out what is funny and what is not. They try out jokes a lot of different ways before they put them into their act. You can start learning about comedy now, and try out some of the things you learn at school.