Thursday, February 23, 2016
Dear Parents,
On
Thursday, March 2 we are going to the Campbell Creek Science Center. We will
drive there, leaving the school at 9:20 a.m. and return to school by 3:30 p.m.
This full day program is usually $24 per student, but we have received funding
to reduce the cost to $4 per student. We will participate in a learning
experience called, “Snow Sleuths”. Students will need to bring a lunch and all
their gear, as we will be outside most of the day. As of now, I only have a few
people that have said they could drive. I have to have all the required
information into the office no later than Monday or we will not be able to go.
Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00 next Thursday. This should be a
fantastic trip!
What
started out as a bet I lost to two students five years ago has turned into a
wonderful tradition. Evan and Leland approached me and proposed a bet. If the
Los Angeles Lakers won the NBA Championship, they would become teachers for the
day. I agreed, but said if the Cleveland Cavaliers won, they would have to wash
my car. As you know, my car still needs a wash and they became teachers for the
day. Over the summer I wished I had come up with this idea on my own. I’ve
always told the students that I’m not the only teacher in the classroom. Each
student is a teacher. Each student brings unique experiences and expertise to
our class and when he or she shares those gifts, the rest of us receive new
learning. Leland and Evan wanted to take over the class the first day of school,
but I told them they needed to take a teaching course first. They came in
several times during their lunch time and wrote lesson plans, practiced the
lessons they would teach, and promised to be professional. When the day
arrived, they came dressed in ties, greeted the students at the door, conducted
circle, gave math lessons, spelling tests, and a volcano science lesson that
Evan said, “had the crowd going crazy”. After a few giggles from the students
seeing their new teachers, they settled in and were respectful to our guest
teachers. The whole day was a real joy for me to see these third graders
demonstrate such responsibility and see a little of myself in their teaching
style. I was so impressed and excited by the entire experience that it will forever
be a right of passage for every third grader to be teacher for the day. Last
Friday, Rachel and Riley took over the role of teacher and did a marvelous job.
Rachel and Riley greeted the students at the door, gave spelling tests, and
taught us about velociraptors. Rachel also did an impromptu lesson in which she
had the first graders draw pictures and then label all the nouns and adjectives
on their drawings. It was a great day and I’ve had several second graders tell
me what they plan to do next year when it is their turn. We look forward to the
other third graders taking their turn in the second semester.
I
have sent homework in today’s folder for next Friday’s spelling test. The
students are very excited.
I
have thoroughly enjoyed meeting with you all and celebrating your child’s
success. I appreciate all you do on your child’s behalf. I love working with
your children and observing their growth and maturity academically, socially,
and emotionally. Thank you for all your help with field trips, spelling tests,
laminating, listening to students read, sharing your expertise with the class,
and all you do to make Room 177 and Denali Montessori such a wonderful place to
be.
If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me
at moyer_craig@asdk12.org of call
or write me a note.
Sincerely,
Craig Moyer
