January 23, 2017
Dear Parents of Seventh Grade Students in Mr. Rodemack and Mrs. Ross’s Humanity Classes,
I’d like to inform you of some upcoming changes in humanities class. After the careful consideration of many factors, we have decided to separate humanities into two separate classes: language arts and social studies.
I’d also like to announce another big change. Mrs. Ross has been offered a position as an instructional coach for the FRSD for the remainder of this year. While she is thrilled at this opportunity and excited to begin working in all the district’s schools to support teachers and students, this means she will not finish out the year in her classroom. Ms. Sarah Lafferty has been selected to teach her classes for the remainder of the year. Ms. Lafferty is a well-known and well-liked substitute teacher in our building and I am certain your child will enjoy having her as a teacher.
Starting February 6th, all seventh graders will have Mr. Rodemack for social studies and Ms. Lafferty for language arts. We believe that this change will improve the instruction for all students as each teacher will be teaching his or her subject of greatest passion and interest.
Anyone who has ever seen Mr. Rodemack teach history knows that his lectures and simulations make the history come to life for his students. He is excited to focus his instruction on the social studies standards including the Enlightenment, Feudal Japan, the Mongolian Empire, Africa, Australia and the Pacific Islands. We know all the students will benefit from his extensive historical knowledge and infectious enthusiasm for history.
Ms. Lafferty is eager to begin her initial language arts unit with 7th graders: Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar. This performance-based unit will prepare our students for their field trip to Ashland to see the play. Ms. Lafferty’s prior experience teaching Shakespeare to middle schoolers is sure to serve her well. In addition to Shakespeare, Ms. Lafferty will be teaching several novel units including Eyes of the Emperor and the Whale Rider. Writing will be taught throughout each unit of study and will culminate with a formal research project about an issue that affects our society today.
We are confident that this change will bring tremendous benefit to our students. Mr. Rodemack and Ms. Lafferty are looking forward to seeing new faces and narrowing the focus of their instruction. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call or email either teacher or me.
Sincerely,
Peter Barsotti
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