Why shouldn’t school be fun?

We all tend to seek out the people and activities that are the most fun. In fact, in our society we celebrate people who entertain us (not the kindest or most intelligent) paying them the highest salaries, giving them the most attention. Most of the people teens see as icons are actors, singers, musicians, and athletes - all who bring fun and enjoyment to their lives.

Everywhere we turn we are being courted to be entertained by the latest media gadget –IPad, IPhone, Play Station, Wii, TiVo, HDTV, ….and the list goes on. We, as teachers, have all that, and more, to compete with. If we want to connect with kids, if we want to hold their attention for longer than a couple of minutes, if we want kids to enjoy coming to school and to retain what we’re teaching them, then we must find a way to make school fun. Why? Because research shows that we learn more when we’re happy.

In Jean Chatzky’s The Difference, she notes that happiness is one of the key factors in whether people are successful. Why? There are many reasons, including the simple fact it’s easier to achieve our goals if we’re in a good mood. (She also notes that happy people are more likely to graduate and land jobs. They’re more productive, creative, dependable, and produce higher quality work. And they make more money.)

Recently, a survey was released listing companies that employees most liked working for. Who ranked number one? Google… because of the casual atmosphere, the fun environment and the focus on creativity. Who else is consistently in the top ten? Southwest Airlines, who have realized that the best way to hold customers and to make flying less stressful is to make flying fun. What other airline starts off a flight referring to the oxygen masks as margarine cups? Or says that anyone who wants to smoke can step outside? Who else but the Southwest crew has a contest where they award flying vouchers to whoever has the ugliest license picture or the biggest hole in their sock?