Denali Montessori ~ Room 177

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Dear Parents,

I can’t tell you what an incredible experience Horticultural Day was at Denali Montessori yesterday, but I’ll try. The students rotated through seven learning stations run by a teacher or parent volunteer. Students learned about hydroponics and the largest greenhouse in the world in Mr. H’s room, worked with the Montessori botany cabinet in Ms. Jasmin’s room, listened to plant stories in Ms. Homan’s room, had a fabulous lecture and experience with a parent arborist, Mr. Nickel, in Ms. Goodman’s class, learned about the importance of ph soil levels and did an experiment in Ms. Jenni’s class, planted herbs and flowers with Ms. Tran, and learned about our lettuce towers from parent volunteer Dr. Tichotsky and watched and helped our fabulous volunteers from Nordstom’s and master builder and showman, Mr. Fischbach! We completed one of the grow towers and have a wonderful start on our other six! Each lesson was about 15 minutes and was like a perfect Montessori Key Experience in which the students receive a short memorable lesson that sparks the child to explore a topic further. The students were engaged and excited about our grow towers, hydroponics, and more! It was a delight to hear the enthusiasm as we gathered in circle after lunch to hear the learning that was experienced. What a day! Thank you to all our wonderful parents, staff, and volunteers that made this a day to remember!

Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 22 from 6:30-8:00. This is your chance to visit the classroom and find out more about the Montessori program at the Denali Open House. I will also have parent volunteer sign up sheets for a variety of needs, but if anyone is interested in giving spelling tests, you can start next Friday at 9:00am. I am also looking for a new Thursday folder person to come in on Thursday anytime to fill the Thursday folders. I would love for this position to start next week as well. I look forward to seeing you all at the Open House on Thursday, September 22.

I have sent homework for next week in today’s folder. Remember that our second spelling test is tomorrow! We will be tested on the words we received last week. The students have been practicing them here at school as well.

Please sign up for the classroom newsletter online. You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter or other item.

We have had an incredible week learning about hydroponics, botany, penmanship, even and odd numbers, spelling, reading activities, the Constitution, writing friendly and thank you letters, math facts and operations, geometry, writing our own creation stories, and more!

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note. Thanks for all you do on behalf of your children!

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Mr. Nickel teaches us about plants!

Dr. Tichotsky explains the grow towers and hydroponics.

Learning about ph levels.

Planting herbs with Ms. Tran.

Mr. Fischbach directs the assembly of the grow tower.

Video on hydroponics and the world's largest greenhouse.

Everyone celebrates the completion of a grow tower!

Thursday, September 8, 2016

Dear Parents,

It’s been another great week in Room 177! The 2^nd and 3^rd graders have been great role models this year in their work effort and citizenship. The 1^st graders have been following along and are working very well. It’s been a lot of fun to see. We have been studying spelling words, nouns, antonyms, rhyming words, penmanship, reading, place value, math facts and operations, geometry, writing our own creation stories, and writing friendly letters. I really enjoy working with your children and observing their growth.

On Wednesday, September 14 the Denali Montessori Primary Team has been offered a very generous donation of materials for hydroponic grow towers to grow lettuce year round. We have invited volunteers from the United Way’s Day of Sharing program to help us build the towers. I believe the gentleman that designed these grow towers will be joining us from Fairbanks along with staff and maybe even the Lieutenant Governor himself for this project. We are looking for horticulturists, hydroponic experts, anyone who would like to share their knowledge of plants or anything related to plants to join us and share their knowledge at a booth that the students could rotate through. We are hoping for good weather on this day so it can take place on the playground, but will move into the gym and classrooms if necessary. If you would like to join us, we will be learning and building from 9:15-11:30. Thanks for your support in this incredible opportunity for learning!

I have sent homework for next week in today’s folder. Remember that our first spelling test is tomorrow! We will be tested on the words we received last week. The students have been practicing them here at school as well.

I will be sending home a paper copy of the newsletter the first couple of weeks, but I would like everyone to sign up for our newsletter online. You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter or other item.

The students have been fabulous the past two weeks working, treating each other with respect and kindness, so we decided to have our first Read-In tomorrow on National Waffle Day. We will start the day with waffles and juice. Students may bring their favorite books, a pillow, and a stuffed animal. The students will read, be read to, and participate in other reading activities. If you would like to bring in your favorite picture book and read it to the class, please let me know. (We will still take our spelling tests. Hopefully we won’t get syrup on them.)

If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note. Thanks for all you do on behalf of your children!

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Dear Parents,

The second and third graders have done a great job making the first graders feel welcome and modeling proper work habits. The first graders are working hard to learn the new routines and new work. It’s been a super first couple of days and I’m having a blast working with your children.

This week we have been working on learning the routines, reviewing math operations, writing, practicing our handwriting, and getting to know each other. As part of Maria Montessori’s first Great Lesson, we have also been reading Creation Stories from around the world. Tomorrow we will learn about the scientific story of how the universe began. The students have enjoyed listening and acting out the various stories and will be writing their own.

I send homework home in the Thursday folders and it is due by the following Friday. If you can’t finish it by Friday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Friday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. Our first spelling test will be next Friday, September 9. This week I have one extra piece of homework and that is the All About Me Treasure Bag activity. I would like those to come in as soon as possible, so we can share a few of them daily and get to know everyone.

We do not have a snack calendar in Room 177. I ask that students that bring their own lunch pack a snack to eat during the morning, as they get hungry. We do have a snack cupboard for those that have hot lunch or forget their lunch. If you would like to help stock the snack cupboard with items such as goldfish, pretzels, string cheese or other items, it would be very much appreciated.

Our specialist schedule is as follows:

Monday: 9:35-10:35 Art/Health

Tuesday: 9:35-10:05 P.E.; 10:05-10:35 Music

Wednesday: 10:45-11:15 P.E.

Thursday: 10:10-10:40 P.E.; 10:45-11:15 Music

Friday: 9:35-10:05 Library

Our recess is daily from 11:45-12:10 followed by lunch from 12:15-12:40.

On Wednesday, September 14 the Denali Montessori Primary Team has been offered a very generous donation of materials for hydroponic grow towers to grow lettuce year round. We have invited volunteers from the United Way’s Day of Sharing program to help us build the towers. I believe the gentleman that designed these grow towers will be joining us from Fairbanks along with staff and maybe even the Lieutenant Governor himself for this project. We are looking for horticulturists, hydroponic experts, anyone who would like to share their knowledge of plants or anything related to plants to join us and share their knowledge at a booth that the students could rotate through. We are hoping for good weather on this day so it can take place on the playground, but will move into the gym and classrooms if necessary. Thanks for your support in this incredible opportunity for learning!

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

Have a wonderful sunny (I hope) weekend!

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Thursday, August 25, 2016

Dear Parents,

I’d first like to introduce myself. My name is Craig Moyer. This is my eleventh year at Denali Montessori and my twentieth year in the Anchorage School District. My wife, Sarah, is a lawyer and has put up with me now for twenty-two years of married life. We have three daughters, Siena, Ariana, and Clara. Siena is seventeen and a senior at Steller Secondary. Ariana and Clara are twins that are fifteen and sophomores at Steller. Our son, Aidan, is seven years old and is starting 1^st grade here at Denali this year. There is never a dull moment in our house.

I am very excited to be working with you and your children this year!

In order for your child to have a productive year, I will need your help and support. I believe in a system that acknowledges the freedoms and responsibilities of students and teacher. In order for us to work in a safe, courteous classroom free from interruptions, the students have the responsibility to follow the class and school rules.

1. Be Safe

2. Be Respectful and Kind

3. Be Responsible

4. Be Ready

I have also included the Freedom and Responsibility guidelines in today’s folder as well. This will give you and your child a better understanding of how the Montessori classroom works well.

It is important that we work together to give your child a quality education. Please feel free to call me or send me an email if you have any questions or concerns.

I will send some of your child’s work in his/her Thursday folder. The folder will also include classroom and school news. I will be including homework starting September 1 in this folder as well. The homework is always for the following Friday when we have our spelling tests. The folder is to be returned the next day, but the homework is not due until the following Friday. Please look at your child’s work. Students are proud of their accomplishments and it is a means of tracking your child’s progress. In the Montessori classroom most of the students’ work is kept in the classroom in their individual work folders to show progress throughout the year.

We’ve made some changes this year to our lunch and recess schedule. The students go to recess at 11:45 and lunch at 12:15. If your child needs a snack to make it to lunch, please pack one for your child and he/she may eat it when needed during the morning or afternoon.

Our specialist schedule is as follows:

Monday: 9:30-10:30 Art/Health

Tuesday: 9:35-10:05 P.E., 10:10-10:40 Music

Wednesday: 10:45-11:15 P.E.

Thursday: 10:10-10:40 P.E., 10:45-11:15 Music

Friday: 9:35-10:05 Library

Our recess is daily from 11:45-12:10 followed by lunch from 12:15-12:40.

I look forward to working with you and your child. I am anticipating a productive and fun year.

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Thursday, May 19, 2016

Dear Parents,

I can’t believe this year is truly come to an end. I have learned so much from your children that will help me plan for next year’s class. I consider teaching a privilege, and have had a delightful year working with your children.

I would like to thank you for your support throughout the year. I appreciate all the treats, chaperones, and classroom volunteers.

I hope you have a wonderful summer vacation together. Make time to read together. Practice writing, reading, and math every day. Just 15-20 minutes a day will keep those newly learned skills from getting rusty. Your child will then be ready to move ahead the first day next school year. I have included a tentative 2016-2017 Battle of Books list. This is a great list of books at various levels that includes a variety of genres. All the books can be found at your local library or bookstore. I also want to try something new for writing this summer. If you travel anywhere this summer, Alaska or Outside, would you have your child send our class a postcard, writing about his or her activities? Even if you don’t leave Anchorage you could participate by writing about what you have been doing this summer. It would be fun to use these postcards when we return as our first bulletin board titled, “Look Where We’ve Been This Summer.” It would also be a good way to practice our writing skills. Just send all the postcards possible to Room 177 Denali Montessori, 952 Cordova St., Anchorage, AK 99501.

As parents we are our child’s most important teachers. Setting aside time to be actively involved with our children and making difficult decisions on their behalf are two very precious gifts we can give them.

I wish you and your family good health, happiness, and a restful summer.

Sincerely,

Craig Moyer

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Dear Parents,

Tomorrow, 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. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 12:45. Students will need to bring a swimsuit and towel. Thank you to Finn’s grandparents for sponsoring this event by paying the rental fee for the pool!

Mr. Horning and Ms. McEvoy, our wonderful P.E. teachers, are looking for volunteers to help out with Field Day Monday, May 16 from 1:15-3:15. There are lots of games and activities that need adults to supervise them. If you are able to join us for this fun event, please meet out on the playground by 1:10.

Tuesday, May 17 will be Game Day in Room 177. Your child may bring an electronic or board game that you are willing to allow them to bring for the day.

Our field trip to Valley of the Moon Park is on Thursday, May 19. Chaperones, please meet in Room 177 by 10:00. We will start walking about 10:15. Please have your child wear good walking shoes and be dressed for the weather. Students may bring Frisbees, footballs, and other playground equipment. I have included a list of items that the students volunteered to share at our picnic on the back of this letter.

We will also have the Denali Ice Cream Social on Thursday, May 19 right after school. I hope you can join us to celebrate such a wonderful school year.

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, 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