# data[].attributes.body
Stuckey Family Captured. (2012, September 18). Colin's First Day of Preschool. [Picture file]. Retrieved from: http://www.clintandlinsey.com/2012/09/18/colins-first-day-of-preschool/

# data[].attributes.body
Instant Personal Poster Sets/Lee Todo Sobre Mi: 30 Big, Write-And-Read Learning Posters Ready for Kids to Personalize & Display With Pride With Teaching Guide (Spanish Edition). (n.d.). [Picture file]. Retrieved from: http://www.paperbackswap.com/Instant-Personal-Poster-Sets-Lee/book/0439271584/

# data[].attributes.body
More, Malinda. (2011, June 30). Adoption Talk: Chinese Langauge Camp 2011. [Picture file]. Retrieved from: http://chinaadoptiontalk.blogspot.com/2011/06/chinese-language-camp-2011.html

# data[].attributes.body
Norton, Deb. (2011, October 10). Sharing Technology: Easy Poster Make. [Picture file]. Retrieved from: http://sharingtechnology.blogspot.com/2011/10/easy-poster-maker.html

# data[].attributes.body
The House of Smiths. (2011, April 2). A Schoool Project Using the Silhouette: {My First School Project}. [Picture file]. Retrieved from: http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2011/04/school-project-using-silhouette.html

# data[].attributes.headline
Letter to Parents for 'All About Me' Project

# data[].attributes.subject
Letter to Parents for 'All About Me' Project

# data[].attributes.body
Welcome new and returning students to preschool. We are off to a great start this year. Each student is enjoying their preschool life, meeting new friends, reacquainting with old friends, and experiencing much learning. We are pleased to have your child in our preschool program.

Each month, our preschool will be engaging in different themes throughout this semester that will increase your child's knowledge, reading literacy, vocabulary, phonemic awareness, and so much more. We have been brainstorming and working out themes for each month. As we are about to end the month of August, we will be starting our first preschool theme for the month of September, 'All About Me'. This is where we will need your support, for your child to complete this project. A poster will be sent home with each student, and if you need any supplies (scissors, glue, glitter, markers, etc.), you are able to check them out for your child's project. We will provide all the materials needed

This presentation will be a 2 - 4 week process so each student will have enough time to do the presentation. There will be a signup sheet of the days and times that you and your child will be presenting the 'All About Me' poster. There will be no more than two group presentations a day. We will hang your child's poster on the wall of the room for the remainder of September, then they will be sent home on the last week.

We appreciate the time and effort of putting this wonderful project together with your child. This will be an amazing experience for everyone as we are ready for the rest of this semester.

# data[].attributes.body
•  The activity shows respect for families, values home language and culture, reaches out to families, and creates a sense of community (Jalongo, 2014, p. 7).

•  “There is a direct relationship between listening and learning” and this activity allows the students to listen to each other and learn from one another (Jalongo, 2014, p. 116).

•  The activity draws children's attention to the importance of print (Jalongo, 2014, p. 6).

•  “Educators can learn much from families about a more natural style of learning” and it’s important to build mutual trust from parent to teacher and create a sense of partnership, which this activity allows to happen (Jalongo, 2014, p. 49).

•  It can help ELL’s by making them feel more comfortable in the classroom as they can present in their own language or discuss items and facts about their own culture – something they’re familiar with. The Affective Filter could be lowered through an activity like this  (Jalongo, 2014, p. 94).

•  Helps each student feel more comfortable talking in front of others as they are discussing a topic they know about and are familiar with. If parents come in to help present then they are also presenting alongside a familiar figure.

•  Helps each student become better listeners as they are practicing active listening – and listening to peers rather than the teacher is just as important. Teacher can also summarize or reiterate what the child presented as a way to help with repetition and potential recall later.

•  The visuals can also help ELL students follow along and increase their vocabulary.

•  Narrative and expository forms of presentation can potentially take place as a child may present a story about their culture or language or they may explain a favorite recipe to the class.

•  The various ways of presentation can also help spark creativity in the children to use what they know at home and their background to best showcase who they are.

# data[].attributes.body
Creating a positive learning environment is important for helping children to feel comfortable in the classroom. By celebrating what makes each child unique, we demonstrate to the students and the families that all students and all cultures are valued. This sets the tone for a respectful learning environment. By involving the parents in the project, we can help to strengthen the connection between home and school.

This is an inexpensive project; the main expense would be the poster board, plus any craft supplies that the families need to use. To ensure that no family is hindered from participating by a lack of resources, the teacher can have a packet of supplies that the families can check out from the classroom.
Making these posters allows linguistically diverse families to present information through pictures and their own native languages. The teacher should encourage families to include their native language (preferably along with a translation) on the poster. This is a meaningful way for the parents or other family members to step forward as the expert on the individual child and showcase what they see as special in their own family and child.

# data[].attributes.body
· Each child will work with his/her family at home to create a poster that shares information about the child and his/her family. The posters can include pictures of family members, maps of the country of origin, information about favorite foods, etc. – whatever the families decide represents the child.

· The teacher should create and display some sample posters (preferably about the teacher and assistant). Be sure to use at least two distinct styles; this will model for families that you welcome variety.

· Send home a piece of poster board with each child, along with a letter telling the families about the project. Let the families know that there are craft supplies they can check out from the classroom if they need them for completing their projects (markers, scissors, glue, etc.).

· Have a sign-up sheet for parents or other family members to visit the classroom and present their poster with their child. No more than two people should present each day; over the course of 2-4 weeks each child should have an opportunity to present.

· Encourage families to bring items that represent the family and/or their culture to show the class when they present their posters. If appropriate, allow them to bring a food item from their culture or a favorite family food to share with the class. (Be aware of food allergies and school policies.)

· Make time for the presentations during a large-group session.

· Display the completed posters on a wall in the classroom.

# data[].attributes.body
This activity is designed for a preschool class of 3-4 year olds, but can easily be modified for other ages. The posters provide an opportunity to recognize the uniqueness of each student and to celebrate the different cultures represented in the classroom.