Thursday, March 26, 2015

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Dear Parents,

            The 3^rd graders will be taking the Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) tests starting Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 2. Friday, April 3 is a make up day. The tests will start promptly at 9:30 each day. 3^rd grade parents please send your child well rested, well fed, and relaxed and ready to do his or her best. We won’t have spelling tests or homework for next week due to the 3^rd grade testing. On Friday, April 3^rd we will have a pizza party to celebrate the end of testing.

            The children are raising money for our sister school in Malawi, Africa.  This is the Malawi Children’s Village.  It is a place for children who were orphaned in Africa.  We have added to the building of a school, latrines so the girls could go to school, books, chairs, and paper.  This year we are raising money to build teacher housing on campus.  If you would like to donate (certainly not required) please send donations in an envelope marked MCV.  

            We have some planned field trips that I wanted to tell you so you can put them on your calendar. On Thursday, April 9 we will be going to West High to see a performance of the musical, “Shrek”. We’ll be taking a bus leaving the school at 9:30 and returning at about 11:30. On Friday, April 24 we are walking to the Alaska Railroad for a history lesson and train ride. We’ll leave about 9:15 and return at about 12:15. On Monday, April 27 we will be walking to the Pioneer School House for a fun filled tour. We will leave at 12:30 and return at about 3:00. Tuesday, April 28 we will walk to the Performing Arts Center to see the musical “The Gruffalo’s Child”. We’ll leave at 11:20 and return about 1:20. Friday, May 1^st we will be driving to West High to see a dance performance created for Anchorage’s Centennial. We will leave the school at 9:15 and return at about 11:45. Friday, May 8 we will be going to the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a free preview day. The bus will leave at 9:30 and return at 1:30 that day. Thursday, May 14 we will be going to West High Pool to participate in the Kids Don’t Float program. We’ll leave at 12:30 and return at 2:30. One more important event will be the 3^rd Grade Recognition ceremony, we have to say good-bye to our third graders and wish them well as they move on to fourth grade. The ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 13 at 2:15 p.m. Third grade parents please put this on your calendar. If that is not a good day for third grade parents, please email me as soon as possible so we can schedule a better day.    

            This week the students have been studying polygons, geometric solids, homonyms, word analysis, penmanship, math facts and operations, problem solving strategies in math and life, parts of the seed, and more. I’ve been impressed with all the independent work going on in the classroom. It’s a lot of fun to be a part of the process.       

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note.

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Thursday, March 19, 201

Dear Parents,

You should find your child’s report card in today’s folder. Please take time to go over the report card with your child pointing out the positives and the areas for improvements. It’s important for all of us to continually set goals for ourselves. Helping your child set goals is an important gift you can give your child.      

            The third graders have been practicing for the Alaska Measure of Progress (AMP) test that will be given March 30-April 2. I just want the students to be familiar with test taking procedures, work on a few sample questions to prepare them, and have them try to relax when they take the test. I’m sure some of you may have noticed increased anxiety levels, panic, tears, and a request to leave the country during testing. This is all normal. I am doing my best to answer questions, calm the fears, and prepare them to relax and do their best.  

            The children are raising money for our sister school in Malawi, Africa.  This is the Malawi Children’s Village.  It is a place for children who were orphaned in Africa.  We have added to the building of a school, latrines so the girls could go to school, books, chairs, and paper.  This year we are raising money to build teacher housing on campus.  If you would like to donate (certainly not required) please send donations in an envelope marked MCV.  

            We have some planned field trips that I wanted to tell you so you can put them on your calendar. On Thursday, April 9 we will be going to West High to see a performance of the musical, “Shrek”. We’ll be taking a bus leaving the school at 9:30 and returning at about 11:30. On Friday, April 24 we are walking to the Alaska Railroad for a history lesson and train ride. We’ll leave about 9:15 and return at about 12:15. On Monday, April 27 we will be walking to the Pioneer School House for a fun filled tour. We will leave at 12:30 and return at about 3:00. Tuesday, April 28 we will walk to the Performing Arts Center to see the musical “The Gruffalo’s Child”. We’ll leave at 11:20 and return about 1:20. Friday, May 8 we will be going to the Alaska Native Heritage Center for a free preview day. The bus will leave at 9:30 and return at 1:30 that day. Thursday, May 14 we will be going to West High Pool to participate in the Kids Don’t Float program. We’ll leave at 12:30 and return at 2:30. One more important event will be the 3^rd Grade Recognition ceremony, we have to say good-bye to our third graders and wish them well as they move on to fourth grade. The ceremony will be on Wednesday, May 13 at 2:15 p.m. Third grade parents please put this on your calendar. If that is not a good day for third grade parents, please email me as soon as possible so we can schedule a better day.                     

If you have any questions or concerns, please e-mail me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note.

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Attention 3rd Grade Parents

Attention 3rd Grade Parents

On Wednesday, March 18 you will have a chance to meet the intermediate teachers and talk about the developmental characteristics of the 9-12 year old child. Please join the intermediate teachers in the Denali Montessori Library at 5:15 P. M. on Wednesday, March 18.

3^rd grade students will begin the Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) testing on Monday, March 30 through Thursday, April 2. Please have your child well rested, fed, on time and eager to do his or her best work those days.

Science Night-Thursday, February 26

 Science Night

Please join us this Thursday, February 26 for Science Night at Denali, from 6:30-8pm. Our school business partner, the Anchorage Museum, will have a variety of hands-on activities in the multipurpose room and gym. Some teachers may also have activities for students, and there will be a sample science fair display board for students to use as a model for science fair projects. Students need to be accompanied by an adult for this fun and self-directed event. If any parent can volunteer to help with clean up, please contact Helen O'Harra at oharra_helen@asdk12.org.

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Thursday, February 19, 2015

Dear Parents,

We had a fabulous field trip to the museum on Tuesday. The students and I learned a lot about the Alaskan Native peoples and cultures. The students were very attentive to the presentation and enjoyed trying on various Alaska Native garments and being able to hold many cultural tools and other artifacts. After that the students were engaged in the wonders of the Imaginarium. It was a lot of fun to watch the students enjoy themselves. Thank you to all the chaperones that made the trip possible!

On Thursday, February 26 we will take a bus to West High to see “Monsters III”, a puppet show about Anchorage’s history from 9:15-11:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Friday February 27, we will walk to the Public Lands Information Office for a scavenger hunt and movie and then watch the start of the Fur Rendezvous Sled Dog Race (Maybe?) at noon. This trip will be from 9:30-12:45. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:15. Chaperones will need to bring a valid driver’s license to get into the Federal building for this trip. I have also sent a permission slip for our trip to the Performing Arts Center on Tuesday, March 3 from 9:45-11:45. We will walk over to see “National Geographic Live! With Photojournalist Annie Griffiths.” These should be fun learning experiences.

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

 

Thursday, February 12, 2015

I love my SRA!

Thursday, February 12, 2015

Dear Parents,

            Next week we will meet for parent/teacher conferences. I have included the schedule in today’s folder. I look forward to meeting with each of you to talk about your child’s progress. There will be no homework or spelling test next week. Please remember that there is no school on Monday due to the Presidents’ Day holiday. Wednesday and Thursday are conference days and students will be released at 12:30. Finally, Friday there is no school. We will be holding a Montessori conference on that day.

Our next field trip is on Tuesday, February 17 from 12:15-3:15 we will walk to the Anchorage Museum and take a docent led tour of the “Life in Alaska” exhibit. We will also explore the Imaginarium and other exhibits.  Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 12:00. On Thursday, February 26 we will take a bus to West High to see “Monsters III”, a puppet show about Anchorage’s history from 9:15-11:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Friday February 27, we will walk to the Public Lands Information Office for a scavenger hunt and movie and then watch the start of the Fur Rendezvous Sled Dog Race at noon. This trip will be from 9:30-12:45. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:15. Chaperones will need to bring a valid driver’s license to get into the Federal building for this trip. These should be fun learning experiences.

            On Friday, February 13 we will have a valentine exchange and snack in the afternoon. If your child wishes to participate in the exchange, he/she must bring a valentine for each student. I have provided a list of Room 177 names on the back of the newsletter.

            Mr. Horning, one of our wonderful P.E. teachers here at Denali Montessori, is starting his cross-country skiing session tomorrow. Our time is from 12:45-1:45. Our next session will be on Friday, February 27 and the last session will probably be on Thursday, March 5 (We haven’t worked out a time yet). The students ski on the Park Strip and have a great time every year. If your child wants to bring his or her own boots and skis, he or she is welcome to do that.

            Next week we will have a Read-In on Thursday, February 19. The students may wear pajamas, bring their favorite stuffed animal, blanket, and books for a fun morning of reading. I will also be serving waffles and juice.

We have been hard at work this week reading, writing letters, planet research, six kingdom research, continent of Asia study, country research, animal research, math operations and facts, penmanship, compound words, geometry, language mechanics, and more.

            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

Valentine Class List Room 177

Annie

Finn

Gavin

Kendall

Ketch

Riley

Robert (Bobby)

Adriana

Brianna

Jamie

Marcus

Michael

Samantha

Sarah

Svea

Alan

Alexandra (Sasha)

Arthur

Audrianna

Elizabeth

Jessie

Kamryn (Kami)

Kylie

Paxson

William

Mrs. R

Ms. Irina

Mr. Moyer

Conference Schedule Room 177

Tuesday, February 17

8:20 Annie

3:35 Alexandra

Wednesday, February 18

7:40 Brianna

8:15 Svea

12:45 Brianna

1:15 Jamie

1:40 Samantha

2:05 Gavin

2:30 Ketch

2:55 Marcus

3:45 Riley

4:10 Bobby

4:35 Elizabeth

Thursday, February 19

8:00 Finn

8:20 Jessie

12:55 Audrianna

1:15 Adriana

1:40 Kendall

2:30 Kylie

2:55 Arthur

3:20 Alan

3:45 Adriana

4:10 Sarah

4:35 Michael

Having fun with math!

 

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Thursday, February 5, 2015

Dear Parents,

         Last Friday, we had another wonderful “Teachers of the Day” experience led by 3^rd graders Alexandra and Kylie. Alexandra brought her guinea pig and the two teachers taught the students about caring for a guinea pig. The students and I learned a lot and had a fun day. Thank you Kylie and Alexandra!

Our next field trip is on Tuesday, February 17 from 12:15-3:15 we will walk to the Anchorage Museum and take a docent led tour of the “Life in Alaska” exhibit. We will also explore the Imaginarium and other exhibits.  On Thursday, February 26 we will take a bus to West High to see “Monsters III”, a puppet show about Anchorage’s history from 9:15-11:30. Friday February 27, we will walk to the Public Lands Information Office for a scavenger hunt and movie and then watch the start of the Fur Rendezvous Sled Dog Race at noon. This trip will be from 9:30-12:45. I have sent home permission slips for these three trips in today’s folder.        

         On Friday, February 13 we will have a valentine exchange and snack in the afternoon. If your child wishes to participate in the exchange, he/she must bring a valentine for each student. I have provided a list of Room 177 names on the back of the newsletter.

         I have sent home parent/teacher conference slips in today’s folder. I used the same schedule as in the fall. If your student has a sibling in another class, please try to keep that appointment, as it is difficult to rearrange all the other teacher’s schedules. If the scheduled time doesn’t work for you, please let me know as soon as possible. I really enjoy conference time because I love talking about the incredible growth your children making. I look forward to seeing you all soon.

We have been hard at work this week reading, writing letters, planet research, six kingdom research, beginning our continent of Asia study, math operations and facts, penmanship, compound words, geometry, information and study skills and more.

         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

Valentine Class List Room 177

Annie

Finn

Gavin

Kendall

Ketch

Riley

Robert (Bobby)

Adriana

Brianna

Jamie

Marcus

Michael

Samantha

Sarah

Svea

Alan

Alexandra (Sasha)

Arthur

Audrianna

Elizabeth

Jessie

Kamryn (Kami)

Kylie

Paxson

William

Mrs. R

Ms. Irina

Mr. Moyer

Greeting the students.

The teachers relaxing before the students arrive.

A lesson on how to take care of a guinea pig.

 

 

 

Taking attendance.