FCAT Parent Night

1. FCAT Parent Night It’s Time Pinecrest Cove Preparatory Academy 2012 - 2013

2. What is the FCAT 2.0/FCAT? • The FCAT 2.0/FCAT is the only test administered statewide in Florida public schools that is directly linked to the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards/Sunshine State Standards. • The FCAT 2.0/FCAT was designed to represent the kinds of tasks and activities that parents and teachers expect as part of good instruction. • The FCAT 2.0/FCAT Reading, Mathematics, and Science tests require students to analyze, synthesize, and evaluate the information presented and to apply strategies or procedures they have learned. • The level of thinking required of students goes beyond the recall of facts and literal comprehension required in many standardized tests. Similarly, FCAT Writing topics require students to apply their writing skills by drafting an original piece of writing in response to a real-world topic.

3. FCAT 2.0/FCAT Chart

4. Difference Between FCAT 2.0 & FCAT • The FCAT 2.0 Reading assessments in grades 3-10 will include: • Greater number of reading passages that include historical documents and classical literature • Greater number of test items that require reasonable inferences and reasonable prior knowledge • In Grades 3 and 4 FCAT 2.0 Mathematics assessments may require the use of the provided ruler to answer questions. • The Grade 4 FCAT 2.0 Mathematics assessment will include multiple-choice test items and gridded-response test items. • Gridded-response test items in FCAT 2.0 Mathematics for grades 5 - 8 have different grids than those on the FCAT. • FCAT 2.0 tests will not have any performance task items.

5. When is the FCAT 2.0/ FCAT? • February 26th & 27th • (Writing) • The weeks of April 15th-24th, 2013 • (Reading, Math & Science) • *Specific dates are forthcoming…

6. What FCAT Subject Area Test will my child take?

7. FCAT Question Formats by Grade

8. FCAT Reading, Mathematics, & Science Approximate Number of Questions and Duration by Grade Level Key NT = Not Tested MC = Multiple Choice GR = Gridded Response

9. FCAT 2.0 Reading Reporting Categories Measures ability in four areas. The content becomes more challenging and contains specific differences as students progress from one grade level to the next as shown in the chart. -RED represents NEW tested skills in the FCAT 2.0

10. Distribution of FCAT Reading Test Items by Passage and Length

11. Informational Passages • Provides readers with facts and information about a subject • Tables, illustrations, photographs, and captions • Subject-area text (e.g. science, history) • Magazine or newspaper articles • Biographies and autobiographies • How-to articles • Diaries • Editorials • Advertisements

12. Literary Passages • Short-stories • Literary essays • Excerpts from novels • Poems • Fables and folktales • Historical Fiction • Plays Written primarily for readers’ enjoyment

13. FCAT Mathematics Content FCAT Mathematics covers five content areas. Students in Grades 3–10 respond to questions from some of these areas, depending on their grade level.       NUMBER SENSE, CONCEPTS, AND OPERATIONS MEASUREMENT GEOMETRY AND SPATIAL SENSE ALGEBRAIC THINKING DATA ANALYSIS AND PROBABILITY

14. FCAT Mathematics Content

15. Reporting CategoriesMiddle School Mathematics

16. FCAT Writing • Instructs students to write an essay in response to an assigned prompt (topic) • A specific prompt will be given to ALL students • Teachers will not be informed as to which type of writing will be chosen Narrativeor Expository

17. Types of Prompts Narrative- • Retells a personal or fictional experience or • Tells a story based on a real or imagined event • Expository- • Gives information • Explains something • Clarifies a process

18. Types of Prompts (cont.) Persuasive- • To convince the reader • Often is written in letter form • Can take either a formal or informal tone

19. Persuasive - to convince • Beginning • Clever opening • Address the topic • State your case • Middle • 2 or 3 strong supporting ideas • Use transition sentences • Support your case with great detail • End • Make it a memorable conclusion • Use a metaphorical phrase • Great ending sentence

20. Expository – to explain • First Paragraph • Strong opening sentence • Metaphorical phrase • Thesis • Second through Fourth Paragraph • Strong lead-in sentence • Details and examples • Transition sentences • Last Paragraph • Metaphorical phrase • Strong closing statement

21. Narrative - to tell a story • Beginning- • Develops Setting • Develops Character • Develops Problem • Middle • Events leading up to climax • End • Address Prompt • Conclusion • Lesson Learned

22. Writing Rubric is based on:

24. How We Move Forward • Practice and try different techniques • Correcting mistakes and being sure not to repeat them • Infuse new vocabulary • Proofread carefully to eliminate careless mistakes and ensure clarity

25. Writing Techniques • Using quotes • Using dialogue • Following a theme throughout • Use analogies or tell stories • Inject tasteful humor • Use voice

26. FCAT Science ContentCategories

27. Achievement Levels Policy Definitions

28. How can parents help? Available Resources: • FCAT Explorer • Riverdeep • IXL Math • Reflex Math • Gizmo • Reading Plus • Florida Reading Ready • CARS Reading Intervention Program • STARS Mathematics Intervention Program • Accelerated Reader • Florida Coach Mathematics Students can log-in to their STUDENT PORTAL and access all of these resources. http://myportal.dadeschools.net/student/

29. How can parents help? (cont’d) • Take your child to the library. • In addition to books, your neighborhood library will have books on tape, computers, and other useful resources • Help them improve their oral reading fluency • Ask questions about what they read (science, social studies, novels…use the FCAT Task Cards to guide comprehension) • Have them summarize what they read (orally or in writing)

30. How can parents help?(cont’d) • Stress the importance and relevance of reading in their daily lives (present and future) • Read with your child • Enroll your child in after-school tutoring • Talk and listen to your child (besides strengthening the family, this will improve your child’s vocabulary and background knowledge) • Tell your child often that you believe in his or her ability to do well

31. How can parents help?(cont’d) • Make sure your child attends school regularly. • Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or her progress. • Encourage your child, especially when he or she does well. • Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home. • Make sure that your child is well rested on school days, especially on test days. • Give your child a well-rounded diet. This will help ensure a healthy body and a healthy, active mind. • Provide books and magazines for your child. • Don’t be too anxious about your child’s test scores. The best advice you can give your child is to “just relax and do your best.”

32. How can parents help? • Stay in touch with the teachers • Monitor your child’s progress • Teachers appreciate your involvement • Ask for guidance when you have concerns or questions • Be aware of expectations / requirements • Know what is expected for each grade level and subject area • Review homework assignments each evening • Have your child read daily for at least 30 minutes • Monitor your child while they use the computer practice programs at least 3 times a week

33. How can parents help?(cont’d) Monitor their silent reading time (30 minutes per day)

34. How can parents help?(cont’d) Limit your child's TV watching

35. How can parents help?(cont’d) Go to the library and find books that explore the themes of the TV shows that your child watches

36. Students should… • Learn how to answer each type of question (use the FCAT Task Cards). • Read each question carefully • Read each answer completely- the first part of the answer might be correct, but not the end of the answer • Know there is no penalty for guessing. Therefore, it is best to try to answer all questions, even if you are not sure of the correct answer

37. Students should… • Find the answer to the question in the passage. Look for the answer in the MC responses (90% chance of getting it right) • Make sure your answer is based on information in the passage and not on something you read elsewhere • Be specific when answering short or extended responses, do not use pronouns • Understand feelings and emotions

38. Smart steps to do well on tests… • Have pens, pencils, and erasers ready. • Breathe deeply and slowly. • Quickly look over the entire test before starting. • Read the directions carefully. • Watch the clock; budget time carefully. • Don’t try to finish first. • Mark difficult questions and come back to them later. • Proofread answers before turning in test.

39. How can I access FCAT test samples? If you wish to familiarize yourself with the types of questions asked on the FCAT, you may review the “FCAT Sample Questions and Answer Key Books (2012-13)” at http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/fcatitem.asp

40. Interesting Facts • Find out FACTS and TIPS about the test your child is taking at http://www.fcat.fldoe.org • Reviewed for bias and sensitivity- therefore mostly about nature • If words are not at grade level, they are footnoted • In order for a child to score a level 3 on the FCAT test, 50% of the questions must be answered correctly

41. How can you obtain your child’s FCAT score? FCAT Parent Network www.fcatparentnetwork.com You will need: • Login • Password Information will be forthcoming

42. FCAT Online Resources • Keys to FCAT- http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatkeys.asp • Frequently Asked Questions About the FCAT- http://www.fldoe.org/faq/default.asp?Dept=179&Cat=95 • Released Tests & Sample Test Materials http://fcat.fldoe.org/

43. Thank you for your continued dedication in your child’s education! Your Pinecrest Cove Family