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"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  :)

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