Plano Elem.
Preschool
Each Child-Each Day
In Their Own Special Way
January 5, 2011
Upcoming Events
January 16
Martin Luther King Jr Day
No School
January 17
Parent Volunteer Training
January 26
1,2,3 Magic Training
February 20
President’s Day
No School
March 15 & 16
Professional Development
No School
Classroom Newsletter
A Quick Note
Kids Are Just Kids−Not Little Adults
Many parents and teachers carry around in their heads a trouble-producing notion
about young children. This idea is a kind of false assumption or wish that causes
discipline attempts that don’t work, along with stormy scenes that make everyone feel
bad. This concept is known as the “Little Adult Assumption.” The Little Adult
Assumption is the belief that kids have hearts of gold and that they are basically
reasonable and unselfish. They’re just smaller versions of grownups, in other words.
And because they are little adults, this notion goes, whenever the youngsters are
misbehaving or not cooperating, the problem must be that they don’t have enough
information at their disposal to be able to do the right thing. Imagine for example, that
your eight‐year‐old son is torturing his little sister for the fifteenth time since they got
home from school. What should you do? If your boy is a little adult, you simply sit
him down and explain to him the three golden reasons why he shouldn’t tease his
sister. First of all, teasing hurts her. Second, it makes you mad at him. Third—and
most important—how would he feel if someone treated him like that?
Your son looks at you, his face brightening with insight, and he says, “Gee, I never
looked at it like that before!” Then he stops bothering his sister for the rest of his life.
That would certainly be nice, but any veteran parent or teacher knows that scenes like
that don’t happen. Kids are not little adults.
Kids Are Born Unreasonable and Selfish
The crucial point here is this: Grownups who believe—or want to believe—the
Little Adult Assumption are going to rely heavily on words and reasons in
dealing with young kids and trying to change their behavior. And words and
reasons, by themselves, are going to be miserable failures much of the time.
Talking and explaining certainly have their place in raising children. But kids are
just kids—and not little adults. They are not born reasonable and unselfish, they
are born unreasonable and selfish. Consequently, it is the parent’s job—and the
teacher’s job—to help kids become the opposite. In accomplishing this goal,
adults need to be gentle, consistent, decisive and calm.
1,2,3 Magic Training coming soon to Plano. More information included.
1
Lorem Ipsum Dolor
In the Classroom:
Classroom
[Issue] :: [Date]
Happenings 
It has been a great start of our aquarium unit of study. The children have really
responded to learning about ocean animals. This week we looked at pictures and
videos of different types of whales and the krill that they eat. We learned that
humpback whales are about 45 feet long. The children and I measured out 45
feet of yarn and we learned that a humpback whale would not fit in our
classroom. We took the yarn outside to the playground to see how long the
whale is. One child even lay down to see how many “hims” it would take to make
Integer metus.
a whale. (It would take 11 of him.) We also looked at videos of starfish and sand
dollars moving on the beach. We have some of these animals in the discovery
center. We learned about how fish breathe under water (with gills). We also
have been sorting little, middle and big seashells, looking at lots of books about
ocean life and making a coral reef for a jellyfish habitat that is in our classroom
bylinesent in items to
aquarium. I want to say thank you for the parents that have
[Name]
enhance our learning. You may continue to send things in
and we will definitely
use them. We are in need of plastic plants and small limbs for our snake and
lizard habitats. Thanks! Next week, we plan on continuing the fun! I welcome
any comments about what your children says about the instruction that is taking
place at school. I am interested in what they share with you because they are so
excited at school.
Lorem.
At Home Activity:
Make an ocean habitat diorama for display in our classroom aquarium. You can
use a small box or shoebox. Your child may draw ocean animals or you may use
models of animals that you have in the toy box. Put in a background with coral
reefs or a kelp forest. As much as I would love for every one to make a diorama,
this is totally an optional activity. If you choose to participate, please be frugal.
I do not want this to be a strain but a fun activity for you and your child.
Homework- Nina’s Page:
Have your child name the animals in the aquarium. Have them count how many
of each animal he or she sees and color in that number of spaces on the graph.
Ask questions about the graph, such as “Are there more starfish or seahorses in
the aquarium?”
Fun Weekend Activity:
Bob Kirby Library- Spanish Class @ 9:30 am and Story Time at 10:30 am. Check
out some books about aquarium animals. There is also a free Musikgarten demo
class for children ages 3 ½ to 5 years old. Designed to build attention and selfexpression using signing, chanting, moving, focused listening, instruments and
storytelling. It’s at Hopscotch’s Playplace at 11:00 am on Saturday. (wear socks)
2
Lorem Ipsum Dolor
PTO Corner
We welcome parents to
attend any of our monthly
PTO meetings. These
meetings are every second
Tuesday of the month at 5:15
pm in the school library. At
this time, we are in need of
members for our standing
committees.
Be watching for upcoming spirit
nights at local restaurants. A
portion of the night’s proceeds is
donated to our school.
Information included with
today’s newsletter:
1. Homework Sheet
2. Yearbook Pre-order
Form
3. Volunteer Training
Sign-Up
4. 1.2.3 Magic Training
Info and Sign-Up
Today’s Quote
The only real
failure in life
is one not
learned from.
Anthony J. D'Angelo
Issue [#] :: [Date]
Important Information
1. Our class is in need of weekly volunteers again. If you are
interested in working in our classroom 3 hours a week,
please let me know. I would welcome any fathers,
grandparents or aunts & uncles. I want everyone to see the
great things going on in our classroom.
2. If you or someone in your family are interested in becoming
a parent volunteer at Plano, and have not had volunteer
training, please plan to attend the parent volunteer training
on January 17 at 10:00 am or 5:30 pm. Two times are
offered for your convenience. It is important for you to know
that a background check must be completed every 3 years
and volunteer training must be completed every year. You
may call Mrs. Shuffett at 467-0816 to RSVP for the training.
3. Beginning today, I will send home extra homework for the
students that will be going to kindergarten next year. The
program is called “On the Track to Kindergarten.” I hope
that you feel that it is beneficial. I welcome your feedback
about this program; it’s the first year that I have used it.
4. If you missed the 1,2,3 Magic Training that was held earlier
this year at Alvaton that was just for parents of
preschoolers, there will be another training held on Jan. 26th
from 6:00 to 7:30 pm. here at Plano. This training will be
facilitated by our school counselor, Ms. Faulkner, and will be
open for any parents that are interested in this positive
discipline approach geared toward children from 2 to 12. Dr.
Thomas Phelan’s, creator of 1,2,3, Magic technique, video
presentation will be shown with discussion to follow.
5. Yearbooks should be pre-ordered for $20 now if you would
like one. Very few extra yearbooks are ordered. Preschool
children will have their pictures in the yearbook. Please
check the information that is in your information today.
6. Please make sure that your child has a complete set of
clothes at school in case of an accident. This includes: shirt,
pants, underwear and socks. Thank you.
If you ever have questions about your child’s day, please feel free to
call me. I am available at school at 467-0411 ext. 8018 or at my
home at 796-6742. If I am not available, please leave a message
and I’ll call you back as soon as I can. It is my privilege to work
with your child.
Mrs. Donna A. Williams, MAE IECE
3