Dear Marquis' parents,

It is always a joy to see Marquis and to hear about what is currently happening in his life. His fearlessness when speaking English is wonderful to behold. He effectively communicates his thoughts and ideas in a way that I am able to understand the 'gist' and context of what he would like to say and if I'm having difficulty with the understanding, he is very eager to use his translator and to make himself understood. Fantastic!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' weekly test and we covered most of Lesson 17 - Task 1 - U4L2 - In Class - Why the Sea is Salty.  

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: translations, definitions, and synonyms

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

4) Genre: Direction (Informational Text)

5) Root Words

6) Compound Words

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 17 - Task 2 - U4L2 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Mar.10th:

Lesson 19 - Task 1 - U4L3 - In Class - Use Your Skills

[HW - Lesson 18 - U4W1 - Apr 10 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

Good luck at your Fencing competition, Marquis!

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Today, I watched Marquis' Fencing videos with him during his lesson and he taught me so much about Fencing and about Fencing Competitions. He is an amazing Fencer! Not only is he an exceptional Fencer, but he is also an exceptional Fencing 'Teacher'! One day, I think he can also be an exceptional Fencing 'Coach', as well! Thank you once again for sending me these wonderful videos. 

For today's lesson, we covered Lesson 16 - Task 1 - U4L1 - In Class - Meet the Challenge.  

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: translation, definition, and synonym

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

4) Genre: Folktales (English & Chinese)

5) Root Words

6) English Conversation - detailed descriptive vocabulary and complex sentence clarity and grammar accuracy

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please independently complete the following:

Lesson 15 - U3W5 - Mar 27 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for **Mon.Apr.03rd:

Lesson 17 - Task 1 - U4L2 - In Class - Why the Sea is Salty

[HW - Lesson 17 - Task 2 - U4L2 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Marquis had another wonderful English language lesson today. His conversational English is improving so very much. He can successfully speak, on many topics, in coherent, fluid, and organized thought, which is becoming easier for an English speaker (myself), to understand. Conversing with Marquis is a true joy!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 14 - Task 1 - U3L10 - In Class - The Life of a Homesteader.  

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: translation, definition, and synonym

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

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Text Features: special print, titles, subtitles, maps, keys, graphics (bar graph), glossary, index, pictures (photographs and illustrations), captions, and table of contents

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 14 - Task 2 - U3L10 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Mar.27th:

Lesson 16 - Task 1 - U4L1 - In Class - Meet the Challenge

[HW - Lesson 15 - U3W5 - Mar 27 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

Happy First Day of Spring!

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Marquis had another wonderful English language lesson today.

Please Note: It is okay if Marquis is unable to read his assigned stories in preparation for his lessons. I know how very busy he is (how truly very busy ALL of you are), therefore reading his assigned stories during our lessons is acceptable as well. It gives me a chance to evaluate his reading skills in a more in depth manner, such as: articulation, enunciation, fluency, pace, decoding, intonation, inflection, context clues, text features, and comprehension.

This is what I was able to do with him today and it is a valuable evaluative tool for my instructional practice with Marquis. Thank you very much for all your positive and effective support of Marquis' English language learning. He is one of my top students, for a reason. Thank you!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework plus covered Lesson 13 - Task 1 - U3L9 - In Class - History Lives.  

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: translation, definition, and synonym

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

4) Genre: Expository Text

5) Affixes: prefix and suffix (un-comfort-able / im-pass-able)

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please independently complete the following:

Lesson 12 - U3W4 - Mar 06 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for **Mon.Mar.13th OR Mon.Mar.20th:

**My family will be visiting my wife and I next week and I may have to cancel next week's lesson (Mon.Mar.13th) during their visit. Their visit dates are not yet set.

If I do need to cancel, this lesson plan will be moved up to Mon.Mar.20th.

Please accept my apologies for any inconvenience this will cause you and for Marquis' English language learning.

Lesson 14 - Task 1 - U3L10 - In Class - The Life of a Homesteader

[HW - Lesson 14 - Task 2 - U3L10 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to seeing Marquis in one or two weeks. 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Today was another lesson that I learned about a special event in the Chinese culture (thank you, Marquis!) - the Dragon Head Festival. This festival is very interesting and I enjoyed learning about it from Marquis. He is a wonderful 'teacher'!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 11 - Task 1 - U3L8 - In Class - Inspired by Nature.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

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

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

4) Text Features: table of contents and photographs

5) Summarization: recall strategy using text photographs

6) Genre: expository text and folktales (myths)

7) Greek Mythology

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 11 - Task 2 - U3L8 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Mar.06th:

Lesson 13 - Task 1 - U3L9 - In Class - History Lives

[HW - Lesson 12 - U3W4 - Mar 06 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week to the whole family (especially to Marquis' uncle, as per the tradition about the Dragon Head Festival and the need to cut his hair to save his uncle, my goodness! I truly enjoy listenting to Marquis explain these wonderful Chinese folktales. Thank you once again, Marquis!) and I look forward to seeing Marquis next Monday. 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Once again, Marquis came to class with very interesting topics of discussion and presentation. He showed me his gravity ball maze game based on the 'Art of War' by Sun Tzu (a brilliant Chinese military strategist) as well as many other topics. Amazing! Marquis is such an intelligent and sweet boy, and a true joy to teach.

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 10 - Task 1 - U3L7 - In Class - Ideas from Nature.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary

3) Reading strategies: text features and comprehension

4) Mind Map / Web

5) Root Words and Suffixes

6) Genre: Expository Text

7) Conversation: skills and word choice

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please independently complete the following:

Lesson 9 - U3W3 - Feb 20 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Feb.27th:

Lesson 11 - Task 1 - U3L8 - In Class - Inspired by Nature

[HW - Lesson 11 - Task 2 - U3L8 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

In Canada, we don't use guns very much and we don't know a lot about guns, so when Marquis was teaching me about his water gun today, it was fascinating to me. Thank you Marquis for being my water gun teacher! lol!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework and his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 8 - Task 1 - U3L6 - In Class - Destination Saturn.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

4 Genre: Expository Text

5) Suffixes

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 8 - Task 2 - U3L6 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Feb 20th:

Lesson 10 - Task 1 - U3L7 - In Class - Ideas from Nature

[HW - Lesson 9 - U3W3 - Feb 20 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful first week back to school for the whole family and I look forward to seeing Marquis next Monday. 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Happy Lantern Festival to the whole family! Marquis shared so many wonderful stories and photos about the Lantern Festival. His confidence and effectiveness when speaking in English has grown so much. It is a joy to have an English conversation with Marquis. He teaches me so much about so many subjects, my goodness!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework plus covered Lesson 7 - Task 1 - U3L5 - Discover the Universe  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation of key vocabulary and comprehension

3) Effective English Conversation: organized thought, accurate word choice, and fluency

4) Mind Map / Web Graph: 'What are four important things about the Solar System?

5) Genre: Expository Text

6) Reading Instructions Carefully

7) Subject-Verb Agreement

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please independently complete the following:

Lesson 6 - U3W2 - Feb 06 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Feb 13th:

Lesson 8 - Task 1 - U3L6 - In Class - Destination Saturn

[HW - Lesson 8 - Task 2 - U3L6 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful Lantern Festival week and I look forward to seeing Marquis next Monday. 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Marquis was so engaged, excited, and motivated to learn, throughout today's English language lesson. His conversational skills (and confidence) are developing so very well. Wow, he is such a joy to teach and he challenges me to be the best teacher I can be, for him. Marquis is the type of exceptional student that enriches my own teaching experience and strengthens my own professional development. Thank you, Marquis, you are awesome!

 For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework plus covered Lesson 5 - Task 1 - U3L4 - In Class - Harry's Great Idea.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary: translations and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: comprehension 

4) Text Feature: Table of Contents

5) Summarization: Cause and Effect Chart

6) Idioms

7) Genre: Historical Fiction

8) Free Conversation: skills development and word choice

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 5 - Task 2 - U3L4 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Feb.06th:

Lesson 7 - Task 1 - U3L5 - In Class - Discover the Universe

[HW - Lesson 6 - U3W2 - Feb 06 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Marquis was an amazing 'Chinese New Year' teacher today. So was mom and Marquis' little brother, too! Everyone was wearing red because of the Nian mythology. The children made wonderful 'lion' crafts and I saw an amazing, colorful bun (bread) with rainbow colors inside. I also saw Marquis practicing his piano in his red sweater and I also saw the Rutin chickens the family is growing (from 15 eggs in an incubator! Awesome!). Such an incredible lesson 'for me'! LOL! Thank you Marquis, Marquis' mom, and Marquis' little brother, for a wonderful lesson today!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework plus covered Lesson 4 - Task 1 - U3L3 - In Class - Make a Difference.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary - translations and synonyms

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, context clues, fluency, decoding, and comprehension

4) Mind Map - 'Leadership' 

5)) Genre: Historical Fiction

6) Cause and Effect

7) Idioms

8) Dialogue Sentences: commas and periods

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please independently complete the following:

Lesson 3 - U3L1 - Jan 23 - Homework - Weekly Test

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Jan.30th:

Lesson 5 - Task 1 - U3L4 - In Class - Harry's Great Idea

[HW - Lesson 5 - Task 2 - U3L4 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Once again, thank you for teaching me so much about the Chinese New Year. I feel honored to share this wonderful holiday with you. I look forward to seeing Marquis next Monday and hearing all about his 'newest' life adventure(s)! 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Today, Marquis had a wonderful introductory narrative about the Chinese New Year traditions in his family. It was so lovely to hear all that his family does for this holiday and all the different festivities that take place. It was wonderful to listen to and to discuss. Great job, Marquis!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework as well as his Anchor Chart binder. We also covered Lesson 2 - Task 1 - U3L2 - In Class - King of the Birds.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

4) Genre: Folktale

5) Problem and Solution Graphic Organizer (Chart)

_____________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 2 - Task 2 - U3L2 - Homework - Grammar

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Jan.23rd:

Lesson 4 - Task 1 - U3L3 - In Class - Make a Difference

[HW - Lesson 3 - U3W1 - Jan 23 - Homework - Weekly Test]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

Have a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing all about your family's Chinese New Year celebrations, when I see Marquis next Monday. 

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

Mr. Grande.

Dear Marquis' parents,

Marquis had another wonderful English language lesson today. His confidence with English conversation has increased so significantly. It is a joy to converse with Marquis. He is an excellent 'conversationalist!' Really well done, Marquis!

For today's lesson, we reviewed Marquis' homework as well as reviewed his Anchor Chart binder (Genres). We also covered Lesson 1 - Task 1 - U3L1 - In Class - One of a Kind.  

We covered the following literacy concepts:

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

2) Key / New vocabulary

3) Reading strategies: articulation & enunciation, decoding, fluency, and comprehension

4) Genre: Folktale

5) Synonyms

6) English Language Conversation

______________________________

For HOMEWORK, can Marquis please complete the following:

Lesson 1 - Task 2 - U3L1 - Homework - Spelling/Phonics

Thank you.

_______________________________

Here is my proposed Lesson Plan for Mon.Jan.16th:

Lesson 2 - Task 1 - U3L2 - In Class - King of the Birds

[HW - Lesson 2 - Task 2 - U3L2 - Homework - Grammar]

Thank you once again.

_______________________________

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

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

Mr. Grande.