Dear Marquis' parents,

For our last lesson, Marquis and I spent much time discussing our (my wife and I) move to Victoria, British Columbia and all that would entail (e.g.: time zones, travelling conditions, driving times, etc.).

Marquis' motivation to learn, in ALL things, is truly inspirational. In English, teachers would call Marquis a 'sponge' for knowledge! He is an exceptional young man and a wonderful student. Marquis has been an absolute joy to teach. I hope that I can teach Marquis again some day, in the future. That would truly be a blessing.

For today's lesson, we reviewed and evaluated Marquis' homework. We also covered some of Lesson 30 - U6W5 - Dec 06 - In Class - Weekly Test.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Question Instructions: read carefully and understand ALL that the instructions are asking of you.

2) Proofread: continue to review your answers with care, to find errors or missing infromation for you to correct.

3) Key / New vocabulary: translations, definitions, and synonyms

4) Reading strategies: instructions, context clues, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

5) Test-taking strategies: multiple-choice questions

_____________________________

NO HOMEWORK will be assigned

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful remainder of 2023 and may your new year be full of health, happiness, and many blessings, for the entire family.

It has been such a joy to work with you, in support of Marquis' exceptional educational journey. He has such a bright future, especially with all the love and care that you all provide him with.

It has been an honour to teach Marquis.

With my very best regards, to the whole family,

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer had a very difficult lesson today. He was in the living room, distracted by his grandparents, for one, and he didn't want to go to his quiet bedroom. He was also very rude and disrespectful to me, having me constantly repeat myself and him saying; 'What!' or 'Yah!' or not answering me at all. This is probably the most difficult lesson I've ever had with Summer. Mid-way through the lesson, I had to get very stern and strict with him, as his teacher. His behavior began to improve, but not by much, after my stern discussion with him.

We did not accomplish the amount of curriculum I had planned for him and this was curriculum that he should have easily completed and understood.

I ask Summer's parents to please have a very serious discussion with Summer regarding his focus and dedication to success with his academic learning, with me and his school teachers. 

For today's lesson, we tried to review Summer's weekly test homework and we also tried to cover Lesson 29 - Task 1 - U2L10 - In Class - The Big One.  

We covered in part, the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Test-taking strategies

2) Accurate use of word choices in complex sentence frames.

3) Reading strategies: fluency, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Realistic Fiction

5) Character Point of View

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 29 - Task 2 - U2L10 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I hope and pray that Summer finds his way to a better place of 'learning for success' when we meet next Tuesday. Thank you so much for speaking with him. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

It was so nice to hear about Summer's birthday celebrations! It sounds like he had a really great time with his friends at the fun center they attended. Happy Birthday, Summer!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework and we also covered Lesson 28 - Task 1 - U2L5 - In Class - Creative Leaps.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: fluency, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Poetry

5) Possessive Nouns: plural and singular; regular and irregular

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 27 - U2W4 - Sep 12 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

It was so nice to see Summer today especially after my time away on holiday. On this first day of school, he seemed happy with his new class and teacher. Have a fun first week back to school, Summer!

For today's lesson, we covered Lesson 26 - Task 1 - U2L8 - In Class - Extreme Animals.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: decoding, context clues, text features, fluency, and comprehension

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Genre: Trickster Tale (Folktale / Folklore)

6) Theme: research strategies for clarity

7) Connections: extensions (text-to-self and text-to-world)

____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 26 - Task 2 - U2L8 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer arrived late to class today due to his Summer camp. He tried to be engaged and motivated in the class but he wasn't feeling well. I hope he feels better soon.

For today's lesson, we covered some of Lesson 23 - Task 1 - U2L6 - In Class - Saving San Francisco Bay.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Estuary Ecosystem Food Web

6) Text Features

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 23 - Task 2 - U2L6 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

It was very nice to see Summer this evening. Although he had difficulty focusing on the lesson today (naturally due to his Summer holiday and Summer camp, lol), we were able to cover most of the lesson plan for today. 

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework and his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered some of Lesson 22 - Task 1 - U2L5 - In Class - Part of the Whole.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: pace, fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

5) Graphic Organizer: Animal/Plant/Human Connections

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 21 - U2W2 - Jul 25 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

It was so nice to see Summer today; especially after my lengthy time away on holiday and his week away on a cruise. It was wonderful to hear all the stories he had from his awesome cruise experience! He is certainly enjoying his Summer vacation and I look forward to hearing more of the fun activities he is taking part in.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's Anchor Chart binder and we covered Lesson 20 - Task 1 - U2L4 - In Class - The Prince Who Could Fly.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms (dictionary.com)

3) Reading strategies: pace, fluency, decoding, in-character voice, and comprehension

4) Genre: Drama (Play) and Mystery

5) Stage Directions

6) Theme

7) Synonyms and Antonyms

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 20 - Task 2 - U2L4 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande

Dear Summer's parents,

It was very nice to see Summer, again. He seems very happy about finally being on Summer Holiday, lol!

Today, there was confusion regarding Summer's class start time and because he had French class at 5:10pm (from what he explained), we only had a 30 minute class. Our apologies.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Lesson 19 - Task 1 - U2L3 - In Class - Look Familiar.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self, text-to-text, and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, inflection, intonation, pace, fluency, decoding, context clue, text feature, and comprehension

4) Genre: Drama

5) Antonyms

6) Theme

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 18 - U2W1 - Jul 04 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

For today's lesson, we covered Lesson 17 - Task 1 - U2L2 - In Class - The Badger and the Fan.

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definition and synonym

3) Reading strategies: pace, fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Folktale

5) Greek and Lating Roots = Affixes [prefix and suffix (un-comfort-able / im-pass-able]

6) Root Words = Base Words = Core Words

7) Theme

_____________________________

There will be NO homework assigned from this lesson due to my being on holiday for 3 weeks.

Thank you.

______________________________

I wish Summer the very best results for the remainder of the school year. I look forward to seeing Summer in the Summer.

I pass on my very best regards to the whole family.

With much appreciation,

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer had a fantastic homework submission this week and we spent a lot of time going through his homework so that Summer could learn my marking system. He understands it better now and he said he will continue to complete his homework at this high level of achievement. Wow, really awesome work Sumemr. Keep it up!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework and his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered some of Lesson 16 - Task 1 - U2L1 - In Class - Amazing Animals.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

2) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

3) Genre: Folktale

4) Root Words

5) Theme = Message/Lesson of the Story

6) Pre-reading: text-to-self and text-to-world connections

7) Mind Map / Idea Web: 'What can animals teach us?'

8) Theme Chart: 'Track and Field Day!'

9) Genre: Poetry (Limericks)

10) Rhyming Scheme

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 15 - U1W5 - May 30 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

It's always nice to see Summer. He is such an intelligent boy and he tries his very best throughout the lesson. He is becoming more proficient in using his Anchor Chart binder and his Reading abilities are improving exceptionally well, especially with fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary knowledge. We'll continue to work on his Writing skills as they are beginning to show significant improvement as well. Keep up the great work, Summer!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's Anchor Chart binder and we also covered Lesson 14 - Task 1 - U1L10 - In Class - Think Big.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definition and synonym

3) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Persuasive Text (Informational)

5) Main Idea and Key Details

6) Greek and Latin Roots (Affixes): prefixes and suffixes

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 14 - Task 2 - U1L10 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer was engaged and positive with his English language learning, throughout today's lesson. He was doing a very good job baby-sitting his younger brother as well! Keep up the good work, Summer!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 13 - Task 1 - U1L9 - In Class - Time For Kids.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Key / New vocabulary: definition and synonym (dictionary.com)

2) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

3) Genre: Informational Text - Persuasive Article

4) Text Features: Graphics (bar graph) and Venn Diagram - Comparision Chart

5) Main Idea and Key Details Chart

6) Mind Map / Idea Web: 'Starting a Business'

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 12 - U1W4 - May 16 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer had another strong lesson today. He shared that he will be taking part in Track and Field activities, which is exciting for him. I know that he has mentioned that he would like to be in better shape so this is a very good start. Good luck with your Track and Field activities, Summer!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's Anchor Chart binder and we also covered Lesson 11 - Task 1 - U1L8 - In Class - George's Giant Wheel.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definition and synonym

3) Reading strategies: pace, fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

5) Text Features: table of contents, glossary, index, picture (illustration and photograph), diagram, labels, caption, and special print

6) Context Clues: Definition and Restatement / Synonym word or phrase

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 11 - Task 2 - U1L8 - Homework - Grammar

**Summer will need to refer to the Anchor Charts that Ms.Ling will be sending you on Clauses and Conjunctions

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's Anchor Chart binder and we also covered Lesson 10 - Task 1 - U1L7 - In Class - How Does It Work?.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Narrative Nonfiction

5) Mind Map / Idea Web: 'Forces'

6) Cause and Effect Chart

7) Context Clues

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 9 - U1W3 - May 02 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer is becoming a much more effective independent learner. He is actively engaging in his lessons, motivated to succeed in his learning, at the highest levels. For example, he is now independently searching through his Anchor Chart binder to find the information to accurately answer questions I ask of him. His answer accuracy ratio is growing exponentially! Keep up the great work, Summer!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 8 - Task 1 - U1L6 - In Class - Changing Landscapes.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Text Features: table of contents, glossary, index, pictures (photographs and illustrations), captions, diagrams, and labels

6) Multiple-Meaning Words: homonyms

7) Homographs and Homophones

8) Compare and Contrast Chart (Venn Diagram) 

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 8 - Task 2 - U1L6 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_________________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer was energetic and engaged throughout today's English language lesson. I consistently challenged his prior understanding of the knowledge that was being scaffolded (utilized) to extend his knowledge into more complex curriculum. He did great!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's exceptional homework submission as well as covered Lesson 7 - Task 1 - U1L5 - In Class - To the Rescue.  

We covered the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key / New vocabulary: definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: fluency, decoding, context clues, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Text Features: diagrams, labels, captions, and photographs

6) Venn Diagram: compare and contrast 

7) Geometric Compass: for perfect circles and for map measurements of distance

8) Mind Map / Idea Web: 'Natural Disasters'

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 6 - U1W2 - Apr 18 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next Tuesday. 

My very best regards are with the entire family, as always.

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer had an exceptional English language lesson today. He most certainly belongs in the Gifted program. I extend the curriculum consistently so as to challenge his critical thinking skills and he does such a great job in doing so. Keep up your excellent, hard work, Summer.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework and reviewed his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 5 - Task 1 - U1L4 - In Class - Rosa's Garden.

We focused on the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key/New vocabulary - definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: context clues, fluency, decoding, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Realistic Fiction and Expository Text

5) Text Features: diagrams, labels, illustrations, photographs, and captions

6) Idioms

7) Problem and Solution strategies

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 5 - Task 2 - U1L4 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next week.

Very best regards,

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer was very eager and motivated to evaluate his homework with me during his lesson today. It was educational for him to actually learn how I evaluate his homework. Hopefully this will help guide his homework efforts with more accuracy and understanding. He worked hard today. Keep up the very good work Summer!

​​​​​​For today's lesson, we reviewed and evaluated Summer's homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 4- Task 1 - U1L3 - In Class - Actions Count.

We focused on the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Genre: Realistic Fiction

3) Action/Cause and Effect Chart

4) Proofreading strategies

5) Homework Evaluation strategies

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please independently complete the following:

Lesson 3 - U1W1 - Mar 28 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next week.

Very best regards,

Mr. Grande.

Dear Tiffany's parents,

Tiffany worked hard throughout today's lesson. She was focused and engaged throughout the lesson and she responded to my guidance and questions with thoughtfulness and respectful replies. Tiffany is a true joy to teach.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Tiffany's homework and her Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 14 - Task 1 - U2L10 - In Class - The Big One.

We focused on the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key/New vocabulary - translations, definitions, and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: context clues, fluency, decoding, character voice, pace, and comprehension

4) Genre: Realistic Fiction

5) Text Feature: table of contents (author, title, subtitles, chapters, pages, and sometimes illustrator)

6) Test-taking strategies: multiple choice and written responses

7) Figurative Lanugage: similes

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Tiffany please complete the following:

Lesson 14 - Task 2 - U2L10 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Tiffany next week.

Very best regards,

Mr. Grande.

Dear Summer's parents,

Summer had a productive and positive English language lesson today. He is such an intelligent and inquisitive boy and he keeps me on my toes, lol! He is a joy to teach.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Summer's homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 2 - Task 1 - U1L2 - In Class - Jack and the Extreme Stalk.

We focused on the following literacy concepts and strategies:

1) Pre-reading strategies: prediction, identification, text-to-self and text-to-world connections

2) Key/New vocabulary - definitions and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: context clues, fluency, decoding, text features, and comprehension

4) Genre: Fairy Tale / Folktale

5) Text Feature: illustrations

6) Synonyms

7) Summarization: retell and sequence of events chart

8) Reviewed 'The Real Story of Stone Soup' (Chinese version)

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Summer please complete the following:

Lesson 2 - Task 2 - U1L2 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Summer next week.

Very best regards,

Mr. Grande.