Denali Montessori ~ Room 177

Thursday, May 5, 2016

Dear Parents,

The Denali Montessori Gala will be at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, May 13. 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 “Garden Lover”. If you would like to help build our basket by sending in gardening items like trowels, gardening gloves, a tractor, gift certificates to gardening shops, a weed whacker or anything else gardening related, we would really appreciate it. Please send those items in by tomorrow, May 6. Thanks for all the great items that have come in already!

Tuesday, May 10^th we will be going to Bartlett High School for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be taking a bus on this one and will leave at about 9:20 and return about 12:00. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Students need to wear good walking shoes and be dressed for the weather. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 10:15-2:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 10:00. Students will need a lunch and drink unless they ordered one from the cafeteria. Friday, May 13 we will be driving to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. Monday, May 16 is Field Day from 1:15-3:15. I have enclosed a volunteer sign-up in today’s folder for this. Tuesday, May 17 will be Electronic Day in Room 177. Your child is able to bring in any electronic device you are willing to let her/him bring that day. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. I have sent home a permission slip and a barbecue request in today’s folder. 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 is tomorrow, Friday, May 6 from 2:20-3:15. We are looking forward to having all the 3^rd grade parents join us for this event. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible. I appreciate all your support in making all these learning experiences happen!

In between our wonderful field trips the students have been reading, writing, working on math facts and operations and reviewing concepts, making Mother’s Day gifts and cards, and more. It has been a fun week!

I’d like to wish all the moms a very happy and peaceful Mother’s Day. Thank you for all your hard work, support, and sacrifice you make on your child’s behalf.

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 28, 2016

Dear Parents,

The Denali Montessori Gala will be at the Anchorage Museum on Friday, May 13. 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 “Garden Lover”. If you would like to help build our basket by sending in gardening items like trowels, gardening gloves, a tractor, gift certificates to gardening shops, a weed whacker or anything else gardening related, we would really appreciate it. Please send those items in by May 6. Thanks for all the great items that have come in already!

Tuesday, May 3 we will be going to the Native Heritage Center from 9:20-1:30 for a tour of all the wonderful things they have to offer. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Students will need to bring good walking shoes, be dressed for the weather, and have a drink and lunch unless they ordered one from the cafeteria. Thursday, May 5 we will go to the Performing Arts Center to see “Scrap Arts Music”. Chaperones are welcome to eat lunch with us at 10:45, but please be here by 11:00. We will leave at 11:20 and return at about 1:30. Tuesday, May 10^th we will be going to Russian Jack Park for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be taking a bus on this one and will leave at about 9:30 and return about 12:30. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. Friday, May 13 we will be driving to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. Monday, May 16 is Field Day from 1:15-3:15. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. 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 are planning to have this ceremony on Friday, May 6 from 2:20-3:15. 3^rd grade parents please let me know if that date will not work for you as soon as possible. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible. I have sent home permission slips for our trips on Tuesday, May 10 and Thursday, May 12, and Friday, May 13 in today’s folder.

The students have been focusing on work this week very well. We have been reading, writing thank you letters for our courthouse visit, writing speeches and well wishes, math operations and facts, penmanship, reading comprehension skills, friendly letters, and more.

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 21, 2016

Dear Parents,

I can’t tell you how proud I am of your children. We had an incredible field trip yesterday to the federal courthouse where we acted out a trial of the “United States v. Goldilocks”. The third and a few second graders played the parts of judge, prosecuting attorneys, defense attorneys, courtroom deputy, probation officer, witnesses and defendant. The first graders and remaining second graders made up the jury. Judge Deborah Smith invited us to perform and tour the U.S. Marshall’s Office as well. Not only did Judge Smith give us her time and expertise, but she also invited a U.S. prosecuting attorney, defense attorney, a probation officer, the clerk of the court, her assistant, a deputy U.S. Marshall, another federal judge and others that were so generous with their time. It was an unbelievable experience. The students did a fantastic job and represented Denali Montessori so well! The judge commented that she was impressed that 1^st, 2^nd, and 3^rd graders listened and participated so well. Thank you to all the chaperones that made this and every trip we take possible. These learning experiences are such a vital part of the students’ education. Thank you all for your support!

Tuesday, April 26 we will take a three-mile round trip hike and have a picnic along Eagle River at the Eagle River Nature Center from 9:15-1:45. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Students need to have good walking shoes, be dressed for any kind of weather, which should include a jacket, raincoat, hat and gloves. Students will need to bring their own lunch and plenty of water, unless they ordered a lunch from the cafeteria. The weather in Eagle River can be very different than out your front door in Anchorage and I want the kids to be prepared so we can enjoy our trip no matter the weather. Thursday, April 28 we will walk to the Pioneer School House for a tour from 12:30-3:00. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 12:15. You are welcome to join us for lunch at 12:00. We will leave the school at about 12:30. Tuesday, May 3 we will be going to the Native Heritage Center from 9:20-1:30 for a tour of all the wonderful things they have to offer. Thursday, May 5 we will go to the Performing Arts Center to see “Scrap Arts Music”. Tuesday, May 10^th we will be going to Russian Jack Park for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be driving to this one and will leave at about 9:30 and return about 12:30. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. Friday, May 13 we will be going to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. Monday, May 16 is Field Day from 1:15-3:15. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. 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 are planning to have this ceremony on Friday, May 6 from 2:20-3:15. 3^rd grade parents please let me know if that date will not work for you as soon as possible. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible. I have sent home permission slips for our trips on Tuesday, May 3 and Thursday, May 5 in today’s folder.

The students have been focusing on work this week very well. We have been reading, writing using similes and descriptive language, math operations and facts, algebra, poetry, friendly letters, and more. We had a class meeting about treating others with respect, using a friendly tone when we solve problems, and being in control of our bodies. This time of year when the light returns to Alaska, students and adults take advantage of the good weather and stay up later. We get a little manic with the influx of light and this often leads to emotional children and adults. This is such a wonderful, caring and compassionate class and I want us to end the year on a positive note. Please help reinforce this with your child at home and make sure your child is getting enough sleep. Thanks for all you do!

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 14, 2016

Dear Parents,

Tuesday, April 19 we will be visiting the museum from 9:45-2:00. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:30. We will leave at 9:45 and return at about 2:00. Please send your child with a lunch and drink unless you ordered one from the cafeteria. Wednesday, April 20 we will be going to the U.S. District Court to be part of a trial, “U.S. vs. Goldilocks” and possibly visit some jail cells from 9:45-12:00. Tuesday, April 26 we will hike and have a picnic at the Eagle River Nature Center from 9:15-1:45. Thursday, April 28 we will walk to the Pioneer School House for a tour from 12:30-3:00. Tuesday, May 3 we will be going to the Native Heritage Center from 9:20-1:30 for a tour of all the wonderful things they have to offer. Thursday, May 5 we will go to the Performing Arts Center to see “Scrap Arts Music”. Tuesday, May 10^th we will be going to Russian Jack Park for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be driving to this one and will leave at about 9:30 and return about 12:30. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. Friday, May 13 we will be going to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. 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 are planning to have this ceremony on Friday, May 6 from 2:20-3:15. 3^rd grade parents please let me know if that date will not work for you as soon as possible. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible. I have sent home permission slips for our trips on Tuesday, April 26 and Thursday, April 28 in today’s folder.

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 7, 2016

Dear Parents,

Here is hopefully, our final field trips list. Tuesday, April 19 we will be visiting the museum from 9:45-2:00. Wednesday, April 20 we will be going to the U.S. District Court to be part of a trial, “U.S. vs. Goldilocks” and possibly visit some jail cells from 9:45-12:00. Tuesday, April 26 we will hike and have a picnic at the Eagle River Nature Center from 9:15-1:45. Thursday, April 28 we will walk to the Pioneer School House for a tour from 12:30-3:00. Tuesday, May 3 we will be going to the Native Heritage Center from 9:20-1:30 for a tour of all the wonderful things they have to offer. Thursday, May 5 we will go to the Performing Arts Center to see “Scrap Arts Music”. Tuesday, May 10^th we will be going to Russian Jack Park for the primary grade orienteering meet. We’ll be driving to this one and will leave at about 9:30 and return about 12:30. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. Friday, May 13 we will be going to the West High Pool for the Kids Don’t Float activities. We will drive to the pool at about 1:00 and return at about 3:15. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. 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 are planning to have this ceremony on Friday, May 6 from 2:20-3:15. 3^rd grade parents please let me know if that date will not work for you as soon as possible. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible. I have sent home permission slips for our next two trips in today’s folder.

I know the students have really missed it, so I have sent homework in today’s folder! We will have the spelling test next Friday, April 15.

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 24, 2016

Dear Parents,

The 3^rd graders will be taking the Alaska Measures of Progress (AMP) tests starting Tuesday, March 29 through Thursday, March 31 and resuming on Monday, April 4. Friday, April 15 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.

Here is an updated list of our scheduled field trips. On Friday, April 1 we will be taking a bus to UAA to see a musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” from 9:15-12:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Tuesday, April 19 we will be visiting the museum from 9:45-2:00. Wednesday, April 20 we will be going to the U.S. District Court to be part of a trial and possibly visit some jail cells from 9:45-12:00. Thursday, April 28 we will walk to the Pioneer School House for a tour from 12:30-3:00. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible.

I have sent third quarter report cards home in today’s folder. Please take a few moments to talk with your child to celebrate his or her accomplishments and discuss some areas he or she needs to improve. Teaching your children how to set goals is an important tool and gift that you can give them.

The students have settled back into a nice work cycle this week. We have been studying capitalization, word analysis, numbers and operations, math operations and facts, grammar, writing, spelling, writing friendly letters, animal and continent research, and more. In addition the 3^rd graders have been taking AMP practice tests to familiarize them with the format. It’s been a great week!

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 3, 2016

Thursday, March 10 we will walk to the Anchorage Museum to see the new exhibit “Near the Bear”, watch the planetarium show “River of Bears”, eat lunch; explore art exhibits, the Discovery Center and the Spark Lab. We will leave at 9:45 and return at about 2:30. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:30. Please remember to pack your child a lunch and drink that day unless you ordered a lunch from the cafeteria.

Here are some more scheduled field trips we have planned. On Monday, March 21 we will be walking to the Performing Arts Center to see Junior Theater’s “Dino –Light: A Glow-In-The-Dark Adventure”. We will leave the school at about 11:15 and should return by about 1:30. On Friday, April 1 we will be taking a bus to UAA to see a musical production of “The Wizard of Oz” from 9:30-12:00. Monday, April 18 we will be visiting the museum from 9:45-2:00. Thursday, May 12, we will make our final museum visit from 9:45-2:00. The last day of school, Thursday, May 19 we will have our annual Primary Wing Barbecue at Valley of the Moon Park from 10:00-2:30. Put these dates on your calendar and we would love to have you join us if possible.

Tonight, Thursday, March 3 the 3^rd grade parents are invited to meet the intermediate teachers and talk about the developmental characteristics of the 9-12 year old child in the Denali Montessori Library at 5:30 p.m. This is a great way to meet our wonderful intermediate teachers and have any questions you may have answered.

The homework I have sent home in today’s folder is due Friday, March 25. We have a short week next week and will not take a spelling test. The students will be tested on these words when we return from Spring Break.

The students have been studying measurement, language usage skills, quotation marks, descriptive writing, math facts and operations, spelling, reading skills, friendly letters, working as a team, and more. We have also started a continent study of Europe. I know several students have been to Europe and I encourage them to bring pictures and artifacts that they could share with the class. The students will share them in small groups of students at a time. I also invite any parents that would like to share their cultural background or visits to Europe as well. It has been an action packed week.

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