Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year came to kindergarten in a big way! First, we "swept out all the bad luck" by giving our room a deep clean. Then we threw out all our broken materials and refreshed our supplies with new crayons, markers, pencils and glue. Once we got our environment in order we decorated the classroom with lanterns.Thanks to Mrs. Chang-Lee we were able to feast on traditional Chinese candies, listen to popular Chinese musicians. Mrs. Zhang brought the coveted red envelopes with Chinese coins inside to bless our new year and fortune cookies! Some were lucky enough to look inside their envelopes and receive a special prize!

Much thanks to the families of Jessica and Justin for making sure we could share in this wonderful tradition!

Literacy Research

Our class is participating in a research project examining the best way to offer academically appropriate literacy training in kindergarten. The children have also been asked to explore their feelings on the differentiated independent assignments during Workstations.


Currently our reading groups are leveled according to student ability. In February the students will be allowed to choose which group they attend. Data will be taken on the effects of student motivation and progress in this comparative study. In the same way, Workstations will accommodate choice of difficulty and then contrast that choice with assigned writing practice. Modern educational research advocates both practices; we are trying to find the best fit for our student body.

2009 Class Picture

These photographs were taken for the 2009-2010 Kindergarten Roundup, help on January 22nd. In five months they will all be first graders!!!

Our Part in History

On January 20th all Ainsworth Kindergartners met in Mrs. McCalley's classroom for a lesson in Black History. The K-Team enjoyed teaching a joint lesson about our nation's historical diversity and moral evolution.


After the lesson, all 101 students watched our new president take his oath.
Each child than wrote a statement of belief. "I believe in no more arguing", "I believe in magic!", "I believe in being nice to everyone","I believe in myself", "I believe in Obama" were just some of the statements.

If You Could Go to Antarctica

Our class text for the week peeked the interests of everyone in Room Thirty-One. Mrs. K's good friend "Antarctic Officer Dan" sent pictures of his duty stationed on the South Pole. We got to see the pole itself, ice caves, snowboarding on the ice shelves, McMurdo Station and his "super awesome" icebreaker, The Polar Star. Unfortunately, all of us were devastated when the film clips would not project onto our SMART Board. Here is what we missed. Ask your kindergartner whats happening!

Johanna Makes Family Culture Come Alive!

To end her week with the window Johanna's dad introduced the class to Henry the guinea pig! Ms. Jane and Ms. Margret joined out class this morning from Lincoln High. Their help during writing workshop was well appreciated!

Snack Break

Twice a day, we clean up the classroom and leave our direct instruction for some physical education and imaginary play. This follows a serving of the healthy snack provided by one kindergarten family a day.


Olivia's responsibility this week is to host snack. Please remember to check BigTent for your snack day to make sure she can complete her task!

Our Path Continues

"Good Morning Kindergarten,
Would go to Antarctica?"

The "path to learning" evolves. A morning message now awaits the class as they make their way to their seat work. This message reflects yesterday's learning.

Children are now expected to:

Hang up their coats,
get out their lunch/home folder,
sign-in,
read the poem,
crawl under the tunnel,
get a drink,
say hi to the class pets,
jump from spot to spot,
answer the morning's question,
and begin handwriting practice!



Most of us are in our seats two minutes after the bell and ready to work.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow

All month long we will be learning about weather and its seasonal changes. Room Thirty-One has transformed into a winter wonderland! We have studied photographs of ice crystals and observed their transformation in temperature.

In math, we are studying the symmetry of snowflakes.


Kindergarteners challenge each other to a dual. Who can make a snowflake with the most lines of symmetry?

Welcome Brooke!

Brooke joined Room Thirty-One after our long winter break. She is a writer who loves 'spirals'. She also wishes she could read her writing everyday at Author's Chair.

Brooke has adjusted to kindergarten at Ainsworth by following the example of all of our students. She knows she can ask anyone of them for help when she needs it. Welcome Brooke, we are happy to have you!

Johanna's Family Culture

When Johanna (Yoyo) shared her responsibilities at home the class was inspired. Yoyo helps make dinner, puts her dishes in the sink, waters the plants and takes care of her pet guinea pig. A discussion began concerning the consistency of these responsibilities. When a peer noted that she sometimes helps, Yoyo commented on what a 'responsibility' actually means, "If you only do it sometimes, its not your job, you just do it sometimes." Another peer remarked, "You have to do it all the time, when it needs it, for it to be your responsibility." Mrs. K asked if whether people with responsiblities always have to be reminded to do their jobs, or if they do them without being asked or given a consequence. Kindergaren collectivly agreed that "adults do not need to be reminded, but kindergarteners need someone to help them remember or do it for them." "but then its not a responsibility"...

Workstations Expand

Kindergarten had matured in 2009. We are now rotating through eight thematic workstations while Mrs. Kurkinen leads reading groups. As Carson and Aidan are demonstrating, workstations now include: Jumbo Journal, Technology and Engineering.



When students come to Technology, they can choose from interactive texts, graphic arts or phonics games.

At Engineering students create the setting of our weekly text while incorporating new details, making the story their own. Eimhin, Delilah and Claire work together to build the setting described in "The Night Worker".