HOW TO STAY AWAKE IN TEACHER IN-SERVICES:

HOW TO STAY AWAKE IN TEACHER IN-SERVICES:

Do you keep falling asleep in teacher meetings and in-services?

Here's a way to change all of that.

1. Before (or during) your next meeting, in-service, or staff development, prepare yourself by drawing a square. I find that 5" x 5" is a good size.

Divide the card into columns-five across and five down. That will give you 25 one-inch blocks.

2. Write one of the following words/phrases in each block:

* No Child Left Behind (NCLB)
* test scores
* core competencies
* communication
* proficiency
* standards
* multiple exposures
* benchmarks
* proactive
* win-win
* think outside the box
* action plan
* result-driven
* assessments
* knowledge base
* at the end of the day
* touch base
* mindset
* differentiated
* retention
* skills
* background knowledge
* effective learning
* exemplars
* implementation
* reflection
* grade level expectations (GLE's)
* alpha plus
* benchmark testing
* CRT's
* intervention
* Adaquate Yearly Progress (AYP)

3. Check off the appropriate block when you hear one of those words/phrases.

4. When you get five blocks horizontally, vertically, or diagonally stand up and shout "BULLSHIT!"

TESTIMONIALS from satisfied "Bullshit Bingo" players:

-- "I had been in the meeting for only five minutes when I won." - Adam W., Atlanta

-- "My attention span at in-services has improved dramatically." - David T., Orlando

-- "What a gas! Staff Development will never be the same for me after my first win." - Dan J., New York City

-- "The atmosphere was tense in the last in-service as 14 of us waited for the fifth box." - Ben G, Denver

-- "The speaker was stunned as eight of us screamed 'BULLSHIT!' for the third time in two hours. The Bullshit Bingo Championship will be played at the next in-service." -Rod H., Nashville