"The American Dream" Essay Contest: Essays are due now until Jan. 8. NO LATE
ESSAYS ACCEPTED. Possible bonus of 10 points depending on FCAT quality. Copy
of final 250 word essay with verification by parent that essay has been taken
to the Elks is REQUIRED. Students receive info sheet and admission sheet to
be attached to essay for entrance. $1000 savings bond first prize!!
Compare/Contrast Essay on "A Christmas Carol". Essay due now until Jan. 8.
NO LATE ESSAYS ACCEPTED. Students may choose any version of this story and
compare/contrast it to our George C. Scott version seen in class on Dec. 18.
Possible 10 bonus points depending on FCAT quality. Rough Venn diagram
showing compare/contrast is required with final copy. Use writing format
from class and text pp.636. Main Idea #1:Compare Main Idea #2 Contrast
Main Idea #3 Rate favorite version with supporting details.
We are wrapping up our SWINDLE reading in anticipation of author Gordon
Korman's visit on Dec. 17. Our first FCAT persuasive practice writing will
focus on the main character of SWINDLE. Our final unit before the holidays
is reading the play form of "A Christmas Carol" by Charles Dickens. Students
will watch a video about his background, perform the play in class, and
create a hands-on artistic representation of this beloved story. We will
conclude our study by watching the wonderful rendition starring George C.
Scott as Scrooge. "The Bear" and I wish all my lovely Leviathans and their
families a joyful and blessed Christmas, Hannukah and Kwanza season. :)
During the month of November Leviathans are using reading clarification
strategies applied to a variety of works:
Students have checked out their own STAR books (award winning fiction).
They are writing Literacy Letters to me discussing character traits, setting
and plot summaries. They note new vocab words and their strategies for
defining (context clues, asking someone, or looking up the meaning). They
evaluate their book with specific supporting details.
Classes are reading the 7th grade STAR book SWINDLE together as I model
think aloud strategies for reading comprehension. We anticipate author
Gordon Kramer's visit in December. Each student will get to keep a personal
copy of the book at the end of our study.
We are reading the short story "Zebra" from our lit book, following up
understanding with workbook activities and a test on comprehension,
vocabulary and infering.
The third FCAT Writing prompt has been scored and will be added to the
previous two. We continue to use the writing frame to improve writing focus,
clarity and supporting ideas. New transition words have been provided for
enhancing their writing flow.
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Our seventh grade October focus in Language Arts is to incorporate the
writing framework using FOCUS, MAIN IDEA AND SUPPORT DETAILS. Students are
expected to move beyond the "spider" framework of elementary school, and use
the enhanced frame to give their writing more depth and cohesion. Leviathans
will apply the process using fables, myths and tall tales which reflect our
social studies time period of ancient Greece. They will work in cooperative
groups for the first time to refine their examples and present them to the
class via a puppet show format. Framework and rubric examples have been
provided. They are kept in their LA binders which STAY IN CLASS. If parents
would like additional copies, please advise me via email:
laurie_akin@sarasota.k12.fl.us
We have had two FCAT writing prompts thus far. One has been scored by me and
the other by Mrs. Robson, our media/reading resource teacher. The areas of
greatest difficult for our students are keeping a tight focus on their pieces
and giving vivid detail support (NOT LISTS). We kick off our STAR
book "Swindle" on Oct. 15. It repeats many of the activities of sixth
grade. Literacy Letters (addressed to me) wherein students use specific
writing skills to analyze and evaluate the book, will be required on an
ongoing basis. We are loving our new activty "Txt 2 Test"! Students may
submit typed bellwork sentences challenging their classmates' proper use of
writing conventions (caps, punctuation, spelling, grammar). We also will be
using Brain Pop, a user friendly format to reinforce usage. They are excused
if a student is absent, shown by an "x" on progress reports. Students are
encouraged to read their two free reading books which are student selected
every few weeks at home.
My position after many years of teaching fourth through eighth grade Language
Arts is that we become better writers by WRITING, and better readers by
READING! UNDERSTOOD HOMEWORK: READ! READ! READ!
Personal Info:
Hello! I am excited to be working with your child in both Language Arts and
Social Studies this year. My email is laurie_akin@sarasota.k12.fl.us or
through the website. I can be reached at 361-6464 either before or
after school, or during our planning time from 12:50-1:30 (1-1:40 Wed.). We
are the few, the proud, the LEVIATHANS! :)
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Personal Bio
I am Wisconsin born, but grew up in Orlando even before the Mouse was
there. My heart's desire has always been to be a wife, mom and teacher. I
have been blessed to experience all three. I am beginning my twenty-ninth
year of teaching in Florida public schools, my twenty-sixth at Sarasota
Middle.
I began my career in Gainesville, taught one year in a local Christian
school when my kids were little, and have been at Sarasota Middle since
1984, so your kids are in capable hands! I have taught fourth and fifth
grade encompassing all subjects, and language arts and social studies in
middle school.
I received my BA from UF in 1973(Go Gators!), my MEd from USF in 1986(Go
Bulls!), and my National Board Certification in 2002. I believe strongly in
being a lifelong learner. I was chosen as the Sarasota County Social
Studies Teacher of the Year in 1986 and 1991.
Tim, my husband, is a teacher in Manatee County at Haile Middle.
Obviously, many of our conversations are about kids and teaching. I was a
single parent of three for many years, and a stepmother, too, so I can
relate to many of your parenting challenges. My daughter Tara is a flight
attendant for United, my son Cody works at the Ritz and has made me the
proud grandmother of nearly seven year old Lucian, my joy. His twin brother
lives in Orlando and is working towards a teaching degree. My precious
step-daughter Lydia was killed by a drunk driver six years ago in October
at age 19. In my spare time I love to read, practice yoga, play around with
gardening, and paddle my kayak around Midnight Pass. I will always endeavor
to do my best for your child, professionally and personally. Please let me
know of your concerns, and let me know what you like that I'm doing. This
is going to be the best year yet! LUCKY LEVIATHANS ARE AWESOME!
Blessings,
Laurie Akin :)