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!