Denali Montessori ~ Room 177

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow 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. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Also, please bring your driver’s license in order to board the train. 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. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 12:15. 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. We’ll need chaperones here by 11:00. 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 Thursday, May 7 at 2:15 p.m. Third grade parents please put this on your calendar. Thank you for so promptly turning in the first round of field trip forms. I have put the final three permission slips in today’s folder. Please return them as soon as possible.

The Denali Montessori Gala will be at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, May 8. We will be auctioning baskets that evening to raise funds for our Montessori program. Our class has been assigned to gather items for a basket to be auctioned. Our basket theme is “Movie Night”. If you would like to help build our basket by sending in movie themed items such as DVDs, popcorn, a popcorn maker, movie treats, or anything else related, we would really appreciate it. Please send those items in by May 4. Thanks for your support!

I have sent our last homework packet in today’s folder. Our final spelling test will be on Thursday, April 30. Please plan ahead so your child is ready on Thursday for the spelling test. Thanks.

This week the students have been reviewing grammar by playing Mad Libs, penmanship, math facts and operations, problem solving strategies in math and with friends, the 4^th Great Lesson, “The History of Writing”, animal research, writing about ways they can help protect our planet, and more. I’ve been impressed with all the independent work going on in the classroom. I really enjoy working with your children.

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, April 16, 2015

Dear Parents,

Thank you so much to all the people that made the Peace Concert and fundraising effort for our sister school in Malawi such a wonderful success. Denali Montessori raised over $2600 to assist the school in buying supplies, desks, and other equipment to make the school a success. Thank you!

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. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. 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. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 12:15. 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. We’ll need chaperones here by 11:00. 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. We had another parent with a conflict for our time so I have rescheduled the ceremony once again for Thursday, May 7 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.

I will be giving spelling tests on Thursdays the next three weeks, April 23, 30, and May 7 because of all our Friday field trips. Please plan ahead so your child is ready on Thursday for the spelling test. Thanks.

This week the students have been studying geometry, measurement, penmanship, math facts and operations, problem solving strategies in math and with friends, the 4^th Great Lesson, “The History of Writing”, animal research, a science experiment demonstrating the water cycle, 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

Friday, April 10, 2015

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Dear Parents,

Tonight is the Denali Peace Concert. Please join us tonight from 6:30-8:00 for music, a cake auction, information about our sister school in Malawi, and more. It should be a great evening for a great cause.

I am sending home permission slips for our next four field trips in today’s folder. Please return them all by Friday, April 17. I have to turn in a manifest to the Alaska Railroad on that day for our train ride. It is required by TSA to have a manifest of all students and chaperones going on the train ride. I also need all the driver information turned into the district for our trip to West High on May 1. Thanks for your cooperation in getting those permission slips turned in by Friday, April 17. 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. I had a parent with a conflict for our original time so I have rescheduled the ceremony for Wednesday, May 6 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 geometry, measurement, penmanship, math facts and operations, problem solving strategies in math and with friends, the 4^th Great Lesson, “The History of Writing”, animal research, science experiments involving the cohesive properties of water, 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

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Dear Parents,

Unfortunately, I have been out most of this week with bronchitis. Fortunately, the students have been doing a tremendous job without me. I want to thank the students for focusing on their work and treating the visiting teachers with respect. I should be back tomorrow Friday, April 3^rd and we will still have a pizza party to celebrate the end of testing for the 3^rd graders.

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 9:15 and returning at about 11:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. 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 with friends, the 4^th Great Lesson, “The History of Writing”, 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

Sunday, March 29, 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.

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, 2015

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.

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

Monday, March 16, 2015

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.