Mrs. Rodriguez   

 7th Grade / Language Arts

Dear Parents,

        You and I will be spending more time with your child in the upcoming school year than any other adult. Because of this, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you a few things about myself, both personally and professionally.

      I was born in Bronx, N.Y and studied at the University of Buffalo.  I received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Early Childhood Education and American Studies in 1996. Throughout my academic and volunteer experiences within the University at Buffalo and our community I feel I have attained an understanding of discipline and self-confidence. I have taught at Rainbow Christian Academy for ten years. The experience of teaching in a school that places God and the education of your children as its priorities have given me a solid foundation in the teaching of a Christian education. Currently, I am the Middle School Language Arts, .7^th grade Bible, and Math instructor. For the past nine years, I have thrived in the classroom setting Each academic year, I challenge myself to improve the abilities I have gained in my profession, and to utilize the gifts given to me by God to educate His children. Academically we will be exploring new academic realms:

MS Language Arts:

Writing is an integral part of our English program. We will spend significant amounts of time working through the entire writing process, constructing compositions, including speeches and essays, reports, journals, poetry and short stories; some pieces of work may be entered into writing contests and online publishing. With the exception of journal writing, correct grammar, mechanics, usage, spelling, vocabulary, and organization will be emphasized and graded on most writing. This means that revision must become a habit and an expectation. Proofreading and editing are fundamental to writing well .Students will read novels, short stories, plays, and poetry while using techniques to apply the woks to their own lives in order to understand the historical, social and educational value of the works.  Instructional materials will also require students to become active, imaginative participants in the reading process.  Assignments will include a study of numerous literary styles and devices, creative modeling, along with written, auditory, oral and visual analysis of themes and ideas relating to the reading selections.

7^th Grade Bible

This year we will focus intensely on the Old Testament. The students will be learning the moral and spiritual lessons that are exemplified in the portraits of Old Testament figures. The children will have a workbook and be active participants on the joy of learning about God’s Word. We will memorize critical Scripture, have deep discussions, and engage in activities that that will solidify biblical truths.

Pre-Algebra

The students will be mastering all foundational skills in order to master algebra in the future. They will be trained to think logically and analyze complicated mathematical equations. Our new curriculum from Pearson gives students time to learn and practice skills through out a complete unit. The students will develop higher-order thinking and become more confident problem solvers. They will focus directly on the math problem and eliminate distracters. There will be daily drills, interactive lessons, weekly exams, and nightly homework.

      There is an ample amount of research discussing the importance of parent involvement in children's schooling. Parent involvement is frequently described as critical to the development of academic achievement, cognitive development, self-esteem, motivation, and self discipline. President Clinton stated in his 1994 State of the Union Message, "Parents who know their children's teachers and turn off the television and help with the homework and teach their kids right from wrong--those kind of parents can make all the difference."

      We are the most important people in your child’s life, and we need to work together for your child’s benefit. As stated in the old African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child.” I need you to support my academic, homework and discipline efforts, and I will keep you informed about your child’s progress. With school and home working together, I know our students can have a successful year.    
 

Teaching in Christ,

Jolinda Rodriguez                   

Proverbs 22:6

“Instruct a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.”