Mar. 31 - Apr. 4

Hold onto your backpacks, Dragons — starting Monday, Durham Intermediate is launching something BIG: Student Swap Week — a brand-new pilot program where students take over the school… and the teachers become the students!

Here’s what’s coming (allegedly):

• Students will be assigned to “teach” core classes while teachers sit in desks and take notes.

• Hall passes will now require teacher approval (from the student-teacher, of course).

• Coach Bryant will be required to do her own warm-up laps while a student leads P.E.

• Special “Teacher Treats” will be handed out during lunch, including coffee popsicles, broccoli surprise, and something called “mystery meatloaf medley.”

• Every student participant will receive a spin on the new official Durham Wheel of Fortune, with prizes like:

  • Free homework pass

  • Extra cafeteria dessert

  • First pick at recess games

  • “Slime a staff member” ticket (with permission!)

  • One mystery prize locked in a golden envelope

The Wheel will be available for VIP spinners on Tuesday, April 1st, in the gym. Principal Wheeler has already agreed to do the first spin live on morning announcements.

But wait… there’s one more twist.

• The first FIVE students who come to me and say the secret phrase BEFORE school starts on Tuesday, April 1st, will earn a spin on our Wheel of Fortune. No joke. No catch. Just be one of the first five — and keep this a secret if you want to win!

Now, I know what you’re thinking… This whole 'Student Swap Week' sounds a little too good (or weird) to be true, right?

Maybe it’s an April Fools’ prank. Maybe it’s not. Maybe Coach Bryant really will be running laps. Well of course it is. Happy early APRIL FOOL'S. 

But here’s the truth — the decoder challenge is 100% real. No tricks. No April Fools’ funny business.

Solve it. Say the phrase. Win a spin. It’s that simple.

Use the math problems to decode the **real secret phrase** you must whisper to Mr. Underwood before school on April 1st. It must be exact. I must see your work and you must write the phrase down. Be one of the first FIVE students with your work. Match the number you solve with its letter (A=1, B=2, ..., Z=26). Then decode the phrase.

You can check out the entire years lesson plans HERE that include daily activities, assessments, notes, & daily homework. I try my best to stick with this plan in the link above but things could change. The agenda on the board with the IC and ELO in the classroom overrules the Lesson Plan page.

Click HERE to Access Skyward to see updated Term Grades. The grading period ends May 22nd. At the end of the term I will be dropping your lowest grade in the Daily Work/Quiz category.

Make sure to check your weekly homework assignments grade on Skyward. Look at the comments and see if you are missing any work because you either didn’t have it in class for some reason or were absent. Either way I need those assignments turned in or they will remain zero’s. If you are ever out sick remember for every day you are out you get one day to make it up when you return.

Compacted Mathematics is a comprehensive two-year intermediate school program. As an advanced math program, students are expected to maintain at least a B average and demonstrate a higher-level of success on STAAR. Compacted Math students take the 7th Grade Math STAAR in 6th Grade.

• 4/4 -  Quizzle #21 over (Calculating Sales Tax, Withholdings, & Income Tax; Simple and Compound Interest; Incentives - Sales, Rebates, Coupons)

• 4/9 - Quizzle #22 over (Personal Budgets; Assets, Liabilities and Net Worth; Budget Estimator)

• 4/14 - Unit 10 Test (Personal Financial Literacy)

• 4/30 - Math STAAR Test

1. Look at your NOTES and examples in INB.

2. Watch a VIDEO on my website.

3. Ask a question on Canvas Daily Discussions.

4. Use 20 Magical Math Minutes (tutoring).