Welcome to
Lower Elementary Orientation
2015-2016 School Year
Lower Elementary Teaching Team
CR 8 Teacher Guide – Ms. Denise Henry
Email: dhenry@desertgardenmontessori.org
CR 8 Teacher Guide – Ms. Karen Snyder
Email: ksnyder@desertgardenmontessori.org
CR 11 Teacher Guide – Ms. Rosemary Jones
Email: rjones@desertgardenmontessori.org
CR 11 Teacher Guide – Ms. Jill Carson
Email: jcarson@desertgardenmontessori.org
CR 11 Teacher Guide – Ms. Becky Godfrey
Email: bgodfrey@desertgardenmontessori.org
Arrival and Attendance

We strongly encourage morning playground time for all
students. It is the time for unstructured, imaginative play
and connections with peers. Morning playground time
starts at 7:30. Students may go into the classroom to do
morning jobs or to do individual work starting at 7:30.

If you need to speak to a teacher about anything
concerning your child and it cannot wait until you make an
appointment, by all means, speak to the teacher. Please
keep in mind your child’s teacher needs to attend to the
children and uses this time to prepare for your child’s day.
We are not able to engage in lengthy discussions at this
time. We would love to talk to you during our office hours
and welcome you to sign up through the front desk.
What to Bring/Leave Home
Please see the website for the link to the supply list and/or the link
to our supply list on Amazon. (Please be sure to order through
Amazon Smile so DGM gets a percentage of the order.)
Please leave the following at home:
* Backpacks
* Jewelry
* Electronics
* Toys
* Money
* Trading (Pokemon) cards – except on designated days
Daily Routine/Schedule
◦ 8:00 - 11:00 1st Great Work Period
◦ 11:00 - 11:30 Presentations or Teacher Read-Aloud
◦ 11:30 – 12:30 P. E. / Music
◦ 12:30 – 1:00
Lunch
◦ 1:00 – 1:30 Recess
◦ 1:30 - 2:00 Impressionistic Lessons
◦ 2:00 – 3:00 2nd Great Work Period
◦ 3:00 – 3:15 Afternoon Duties / First Curb
◦ 3:15 – 3:30 Second Curb / Late Day
Dress for Success

Please have your child wear tennis shoes everyday.
Children may not participate in P.E. without appropriate
footwear.

Please label all of your child’s jackets and extra clothing.
All unlabeled and unclaimed items will be donated.

Some students may need a change of clothing available –
please be sure to label all items an place in a ziplock bag.
Specials /
Curriculum Enhancements
Spanish – Group lessons and Spanish immersion during
the school day with our native-speaking team:
Ms. Johana
Ms. Majo
Ms. Becky
P.E. – Ms. Ronda
Suzuki Violin – Ms. Katie
General Music – Ms. Mary Hu
Choir – Ms. Shawn
Parent Partnerships

Please make sure your child comes to school on time.

Please attempt to make your child’s medical and dental appointments in the
afternoon.

Unless it is your scheduled observation time, please refrain from calling or
visiting the classroom during our Great Work Period – between 8:00 – 11:00
a.m.

Please schedule teacher appointments with the front desk. If you have a true
emergency, please call the front desk and they will put you through to the teachers.

Your child’s advisee teacher is your gate-keeper for questions and concerns. Please
contact her through Montessori Compass via a message. Our turnaround time for
messages is 24 hours.
Parent Partnerships – Home
Learning

Although we do not send home packets or work sheets, you and your child
do have Home Learning expectations. Please be sure to see the website link
to Home Learning Guidelines for detailed information.

Take your child to the library to support research projects and
presentations.

Read with and to your child. Have your child read aloud to you.

Support your child with math fact memorization by making math “real” at
home. (measurement/money/time.)

Please ensure your child has chores and responsibilities at home.

Please limit hand-held technology to a bare minimum. The practice of math
facts and light research are appropriate within limits.

Allow time for unstructured/imaginative play.

Remember that nature is the best classroom!
Home Learning

Project Based Presentations (Formal, Informal, Science)
◦ Partnership between school and home
◦ Trips to library
◦ Supplies needed for presentation
 Note cards
 Tri-fold board or other media options
 Display items (color copies)

Reading
 Jim Trelease “The Read Aloud Handbook”
 Reading can be shared and joyful
 Library
 Reading levels and interests

Math Facts
 Different ways to practice - memorization
 Web sites / games
 Addition / Subtraction / Multiplication
Conferences

Conference 1 Goal Setting (Fall)
Reflecting on the first few weeks
Setting goals for the year

Conference 2 (Winter)
Progress Report
Mid-term discussion

Conference 3 (Spring)
Progress Report
Re-cap and look ahead
Communication

Montessori Compass - please use for all written questions and concerns.
24 hour turnaround time.

Website – all important forms and documents can be found on the Lower
Elementary page of the DGM website.

Phone Calls (emergency-only during morning class time)

Person-to-Person (emergency-only during morning class time)

Office Hours two Thursdays/month 3:30 -4:30 pm (please check Montessori
Compass for dates)
Website Resources
On Lower Elementary Page
◦ Daily Schedule
◦ Parent Responsibilities
◦ Home Learning Guidelines
◦ Supply List / link to Amazon supply list for easy ordering
◦ Parent Orientation Slide Show
◦ Formal Presentation Guidelines
◦ Mercado Guidelines
◦ Sky-Y Trip (3rd year students)
◦ Student Ambassadors (3rd year students)