Thursday, September 19, 2019

Thursday, September 19, 2019 Dear Parents, Our first field trip of the year will be on Wednesday, October 9. We will be walking to the Apple Store in the 5th Avenue Mall to participate in "Coding with Sphero" We will leave the school at about 10:10 and should return about 12:30. This will be a fun learning experience and it's free! I have included permission slips in today's folder. Please mark your calendars for next Thursday, September 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is your chance to visit the classroom and find out more about the Montessori program at the Denali Open House. I look forward to seeing you then! It's been a busy week in Room 177. The students have been learning about the adjective, counting and identifying coins for 1st graders and counting money and putting it in decimal form for the 2nd and 3rd graders, writing friendly letters, reading, spelling, math facts and operations, penmanship, reading activities, math problem solving, creative writing and more! The students are getting more independent and creating a peaceful atmosphere to work. Your children are amazing to work with and continue to make me smile daily. One of the many "Montessori Moments" that happens in Room 177 warmed my heart the other day. One of the first graders was having trouble making friends at recess. I asked a couple of other first graders if they would like to include this student with them at recess. My normally quiet voice (Ha, Ha) was overheard by most of the class and everyone that heard my request said that this student could join them as well. The smile on this student's face was priceless! It reminded me of what a great job I have and what incredible people your children are! If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at moyer_craig@asdk12.org or call or write me a note. Sincerely, Craig Moyer

Thursday, September 12, 2019

Thursday, September 12, 2019 Dear Parents, We have had an incredible week learning about place value and playing math games, writing about what peace is to each of us, penmanship, even and odd numbers, spelling, reading activities, writing friendly letters, math facts and operations, geometry, writing our own creation stories, a lesson on friendship with our wonderful counselor, Ms. Banta and more! I've really enjoyed working with your children this week! Picture Day is Thursday, September 19! The first of many flyers went home today. You may order your pictures online or send in the order with your child. Please send your child with a smile on the 19th! Open House at Denali Montessori is Thursday, September 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Please join us to see what we're doing in Room 177 and how the students use all the wonderful Montessori materials. I look forward to seeing you then. 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 nut-free items, it would be very much appreciated. 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, September 5, 2019

Thursday, September 5, 2019 Dear Parents, The students have been busy this week learning the golden beads, stamp game, and banker’s game to help them on their addition, subtraction, multiplication or division. The first graders have enjoyed playing “fetching games” in which they create numbers that I ask them to retrieve. We have also been studying the noun, classification, rhyming words, polygons, reading, quadrilaterals, fundamental geometric concepts, math operations and facts, letter writing, and penmanship. I will also be telling the students Marie Montessori’s Second Great Lesson, “The Formation of Earth”, next week. There are 5 Great Lessons, which I will be sharing in the next couple of weeks. They are the basis of all our learning and the class will revisit these topics throughout the year in our various studies. Picture Day is Thursday, September 19! The first of many flyers went home today. You may order your pictures online or send in the order with your child. Please send your child with a smile on the 19th! Open House at Denali Montessori is Thursday, September 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Please join us to see what we’re doing in Room 177 and how the students use all the wonderful Montessori materials. I look forward to seeing you then. 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 nut-free items, it would be very much appreciated. 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, August 29, 2019

Thursday, August 29, 2019 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 week and I’m having lots of fun 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. Next week 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. In addition to the Thursday folder information the students are very excited about the first homework of the year! I would like the students to read or be read to for at least 20 minutes a night and complete the spelling work by the following Thursday. If the week is too hectic to get it done by Thursday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Thursday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. Our first spelling test will be next Thursday, September 5. Our specialist schedule changed slightly. On Wednesdays we will be going to Library at 10:20 instead of 9:10 and to Music on Thursdays at 9:10 instead of 10:20. Here is the new schedule. Monday: 10:20-10:50 P.E. Tuesday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Wednesday: 10:20-10:50 Library Thursday: 9:10-9:40, Music 9:45-10:15 P.E. Friday: 9:10-10:10 Art/Health The students did a fabulous job during the evacuation drill on Monday! The students walked over to the Federal Building safely and quietly during this practice drill. I was very proud of them. Please mark your calendars for Thursday, September 26 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This is your chance to visit the classroom and find out more about the Montessori program at the Denali Open House. I look forward to seeing you then. You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter, like this one, or any other items I need to inform you about. 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 and smoke free (I hope) Labor Day weekend! Please remember there is no school on Monday. Sincerely, Craig Moyer

Thursday, August 22, 2019

Thursday, August 22, 2019 Dear Parents, I’d first like to introduce myself. My name is Craig Moyer. This is my fourteenth year at Denali Montessori and my twenty-third year in the Anchorage School District. My wife, Sarah, is a lawyer and has put up with me now for twenty-five years of married life. We have three daughters, Siena, Ariana, and Clara. Siena is twenty and is double majoring in Mechanical Engineering and Mathematics at UAA. Ariana and Clara are twins that are eighteen and will be starting at UAA this fall. Clara will pursue a nursing degree and Ariana pre-medical degree with the goal of becoming a medical examiner. Our son, Aidan, is ten years old and is a fifth grader here at Denali Montessori. It will be a lot quieter at home this year with all the girls out of the 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 also send homework in the Thursday folders and it is due by the following Thursday. If you can’t finish it by Thursday, I’ll take it whenever it is done. Thursday will be the day the students are tested on their spelling words. I will send homework in next week’s folder. Our first spelling test will be Thursday, September 5. 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 class, most of the students’ work is kept in the classroom in their individual work folders to show progress throughout the year. Our specialist schedule is as follows: Monday: 10:20-10:50 P.E. Tuesday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Wednesday: 9:10-9:40 Library Thursday: 9:45-10:15 P.E., 10:20-10:50 Music Friday: 9:10-10:10 Art/Health The students go to recess at 11:00 and lunch will be eaten in the classroom this year at 11:40! I am very excited about eating in a more relaxed environment and being able to instill the Montessori grace and courtesy lessons into our lunchtime. If your child needs a snack to make it to lunch or for the afternoon, please pack extra for your child and he/she may eat it when needed during the morning or afternoon. I have a snack cabinet for those that have hot lunch or don’t have a snack. I have stocked it for the first week and would appreciate parents to help stock it throughout the year. I will put a notice in the weekly newsletter letting you know when the cupboard is bare. We are a nut free classroom this year! All snacks and lunches must be nut free! We have several students with severe allergies to nuts. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping our children safe! Ms. Dene has sent the following announcement. “Monday August 26 at 9:30 we will have an intruder drill. We will announce all three levels; the stay-put, the lock-down, and the evacuation. We will all walk to the Federal Building. Teachers and the Federal Building have practiced this. Listen to your teacher to guide you, stay with your class, and follow all directions. Remember no talking during a drill.” You can go to www.denalimontessori177.blogspot.com and enter your email to receive an automatic email anytime I post a newsletter, like this one, or any other items I need to inform you about. I look forward to working with you and your child. I am anticipating a productive and fun year. Sincerely, Craig Moyer

Friday, May 10, 2019

Dear Parents, Mr. Horning and Ms. McEvoy, our wonderful P.E. teachers, are looking for volunteers to help out with Field Day Monday, May 13 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 1:00. Our 3rd Grade Recognition Ceremony in which we send our 3rd graders with a big thank you and good luck in the future is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 at 1:00. 3rd grade parents please meet in Room 177 by 12:55. On Monday, May 20 we will have Non-Electronic Game Day. Students may bring a favorite board game or card game to share with the class. The following day Tuesday, May 21 will be Electronic Game Day. Students may bring electronic devices with parent approval to play throughout the day. Our final scheduled trip is on Wednesday, May 22. The entire primary wing will take a bus to an Eagle River park for a picnic, games and fun. Students will need to bring their own lunch and drink unless they order one from the cafeteria. Students may bring Frisbees, footballs, soccer balls or other playground items to enjoy on this trip. Chaperones please meet in Room 177 by 9:00. Our bus will leave at 9:30 and we will return at about 2:30. We have been reviewing abbreviations, math operations and facts, reviewing nouns in grammar, writing, odd and even, writing speeches and thank-you letters, spelling, writing friendly letters, measurement, Exemplars, Quick Write, reading comprehension and fluency skills, geometry skills, problem solving and more. We are really working hard and concentrating in Room 177! 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 that 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

Friday, May 3, 2019

Dear Parents, Our trip on Thursday, May 9 to the Anchorage Public Lands Information Office has been canceled. They are in the process of remodeling and we wouldn’t be able to participate in the full program. We will try again next year. Our final scheduled trip is on Wednesday, May 22. The entire primary wing will take a bus to an Eagle River park for a picnic, games and fun. Students will need to bring their own lunch and drink unless they order one from the cafeteria. I appreciate all the chaperones that have made all the learning opportunities possible this year. Our 3rd Grade Recognition Ceremony in which we send our 3rd graders with a big thank you and good luck in the future is scheduled for Thursday, May 16 at 1:00. 3rd grade parents please meet in Room 177 by 12:55. We have been reviewing synonyms, math operations and facts, reviewing verbs in grammar, reviewing adverbs in grammar, writing, odd and even numbers, map skills, spelling, writing friendly letters, measurement, Exemplars, Quick Write, reading comprehension and fluency skills, geometry skills, country and continent research, problem solving and more. We are really working hard and concentrating in Room 177! 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