FCAT Parent NightFCAT Parent Night

Mater Academy Charter SchoolMater Academy Charter School

Third Grade Third Grade

2013-20142013-2014

What is the FCAT?What is the FCAT?

The Florida Comprehensive The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) is a test Assessment Test (FCAT) is a test given to all Florida students as part given to all Florida students as part of Florida’s overall plan to increase of Florida’s overall plan to increase student achievement, by student achievement, by implementing higher standards for implementing higher standards for public school students.public school students.

Why do students take the FCAT?Why do students take the FCAT?

• It is given to measure students’ achievement on the New Generation Sunshine State Standards and to monitor the student’s ability to think critically and apply these skills.

Who takes the FCAT?Who takes the FCAT?

•All public school All public school students in Grades 3 students in Grades 3 through 11 are required through 11 are required to take the FCAT . to take the FCAT .

•33rd rd graders will take the graders will take the Reading and Math Reading and Math portions of the test.portions of the test.

When do students take the When do students take the FCAT?FCAT?

Test Dates:Test Dates:

FCAT Reading and Math TestFCAT Reading and Math Test

FCAT Reading: April 14-15, 2014 FCAT Reading: April 14-15, 2014

FCAT Math: April 21-22, 2014 FCAT Math: April 21-22, 2014

How are we helping your How are we helping your child?child?

FCAT tutoring programs FCAT tutoring programs

(Writing , Reading, and Math)(Writing , Reading, and Math) In class interventions (small group In class interventions (small group

Instruction)Instruction) Pull-out programs (SuccessMaker)Pull-out programs (SuccessMaker) Technology programs Technology programs

(Reading Plus, Achieve 3000, FCAT (Reading Plus, Achieve 3000, FCAT Explorer)Explorer)

FCAT READINGFCAT READING

What areas of reading are What areas of reading are measured on the FCAT Reading?measured on the FCAT Reading?

Vocabulary Words &

Phrases inContext

• meaning of words in context

• word analysis

Main Idea, Inference

Plot & Purpose

•main idea

•supporting details

•chronological order

•author’s purpose in a simple text plot

•development & conflict resolution

Comparisons &Cause/Effect

•use of comparison & contrast

•cause and effect relationship

•similarities & differences among characters, settings & events

Reference &Research

•organization & interpretation of information

What areas of reading are What areas of reading are measured on the FCAT Reading?measured on the FCAT Reading?

Descriptive and Figurative Language

• meaning of words/phrases in context

•Mood/ Tone of passage

•Message

Text Features and Text Structure

•Reading timelines, maps, captions, illustrations

•Organization of information

Interpretation of information

The Secret SongThe Secret Song

Who saw the petalsWho saw the petalsdrop from the rose?drop from the rose?I, said the spider, I, said the spider, But nobody knows.But nobody knows.

Who saw the sunset Who saw the sunset flash on a bird?flash on a bird?I, said the fish,I, said the fish,But nobody heard.But nobody heard.

Who saw the fogWho saw the fogcome over the sea?come over the sea?I, said the sea pigeon,I, said the sea pigeon,Only me.Only me.

Who saw the first Who saw the first green light of the sun?green light of the sun?I, said the night owl,I, said the night owl,The only one.The only one.

Who saw the mossWho saw the mosscreep over the stone? creep over the stone? I, said the gray fox,I, said the gray fox,All aloneAll alone..

Lets try to answer these FCAT questions.Lets try to answer these FCAT questions.

How are all the animals ALIKE?How are all the animals ALIKE?a.a. They all were alone outside.They all were alone outside.b.b. They all were with other animals.They all were with other animals.c.c. They all saw the dawn of a new day.They all saw the dawn of a new day.d.d. They all saw what drifted over the water.They all saw what drifted over the water.

Read the line from the poem.Read the line from the poem.Who saw the moss Who saw the moss creepcreep over the stone? over the stone?

What does the word What does the word creepcreep mean? mean?a.a. to grow slowlyto grow slowlyb.b. to drop quicklyto drop quicklyc.c. to flash quicklyto flash quicklyd.d. to march slowlyto march slowly

Two more questions…Two more questions…

Why did the author write the poem?Why did the author write the poem?

a.a. to share what it is like to be aloneto share what it is like to be alone

b.b. to explain how the seasons changeto explain how the seasons change

c.c. to convince reader to go outdoorsto convince reader to go outdoors

d.d. to share special moments in natureto share special moments in nature

What would be another good title for this poem?What would be another good title for this poem?

a.a. ““Who Saw the Rose?”Who Saw the Rose?”

b.b. ““Only the Animals Know”Only the Animals Know”

c.c. ““The Green Light of Day”The Green Light of Day”

d.d. ““Mist Coming Over the Ocean”Mist Coming Over the Ocean”

Reading Example 1

Reading Example Answer

FCAT MATHFCAT MATH

What is on the FCAT Math test?What is on the FCAT Math test?

The FCAT math test consists of The FCAT math test consists of multiple choice questions solving multiple choice questions solving problems in the areas of problems in the areas of number number sense, measurement, sense, measurement, geometry, algebra, and data geometry, algebra, and data analysis.analysis.

Math Example 1Math Example 1

Math Example 2Math Example 2

Math Example 2 AnswerMath Example 2 Answer

Item Types, Item Types, Length, and Length, and DurationDuration

Grades 3-5Grades 3-5– 50-55 Questions50-55 Questions– Multiple ChoiceMultiple Choice– NO Short Response or Long ResponseNO Short Response or Long Response– 140 Minutes for Reading (two 70 140 Minutes for Reading (two 70

minute sessions)minute sessions)– 70 Minutes for Math70 Minutes for Math

What is considered the passing What is considered the passing score for the Grade 3 FCAT?score for the Grade 3 FCAT?

•Students in grade 3 must score a level 2 or higher on the FCAT Reading subtest in order to be promoted.

•There are also alternative assessments and good cause exemptions that apply to grade 3 students.

Tips to Help Your Child Tips to Help Your Child become successful on the FCAT!become successful on the FCAT!

Read with your child EVERY night, at least 20-30 Read with your child EVERY night, at least 20-30 min.min.

Ask your child questions about what he or she is Ask your child questions about what he or she is reading, using the FCAT task cards available in reading, using the FCAT task cards available in both English/ Spanish and for both Reading and both English/ Spanish and for both Reading and Math.Math.

Check your child’s reading and math homework Check your child’s reading and math homework and SHOW them their mistakes.and SHOW them their mistakes.

Review the TIMES TABLES and DIVISION TABLES Review the TIMES TABLES and DIVISION TABLES daily. You can practice in the car, at breakfast, at daily. You can practice in the car, at breakfast, at the store.the store.

Make sure you read and discuss your child’s Make sure you read and discuss your child’s WRITING with them.WRITING with them.

Point out the positive things about their writing.Point out the positive things about their writing. Let your child practice at home on all educational Let your child practice at home on all educational

programs the school offers. programs the school offers.

Additional Recommendations

Studies show that students who complete the following number of sessions using instructional technology are more likely to pass the FCAT:– Reading Plus: 40 Sessions / Reach grade

level passages.– Success Maker: 40 Sessions (Reading

and Math)– Achieve 3000: 24 Sessions

Class WebsiteClass Website

materelementary.com/cgonzalezmaterelementary.com/cgonzalez

On our website you can find this On our website you can find this powerpoint, material that is assigned powerpoint, material that is assigned weekly, and classroom news. weekly, and classroom news.

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!