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Preparing for the Preparing for the 33rdrd Grade FCAT Grade FCAT

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What is the FCAT?What is the FCAT?

The Florida Comprehensive The Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test is part of Florida’s Achievement Test is part of Florida’s overall plan to increase student overall plan to increase student achievement by implementing high achievement by implementing high standards. The FCAT also measures standards. The FCAT also measures student progress toward meeting the student progress toward meeting the Next Generation Sunshine State Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) benchmarks. Standards (NGSSS) benchmarks.

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When will the FCAT test be When will the FCAT test be given?given?

This school year, the Florida This school year, the Florida Comprehensive Achievement Test will Comprehensive Achievement Test will be administered on:be administered on:

April 14 – 24, 2014 In third grade, students will ONLY be In third grade, students will ONLY be

taking the Reading and Mathematics taking the Reading and Mathematics portion of the FCAT. 1portion of the FCAT. 1stst Week Monday Week Monday and Tuesday (Reading), 2and Tuesday (Reading), 2ndnd Week Week Monday and Tuesday (Math).Monday and Tuesday (Math).

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What can my child score on What can my child score on the FCAT?the FCAT?

Level 5Level 5 This student has success with the most This student has success with the most challenging content of the Sunshine State challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 5 Standards. A student scoring in Level 5 answers most of the test questions answers most of the test questions correctly, including the most challenging correctly, including the most challenging questions.questions.

Level 4Level 4 This student has success with the This student has success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards. A student scoring in Level 4 Standards. A student scoring in Level 4 answers most of the test questions answers most of the test questions correctly, but may have only some success correctly, but may have only some success with questions that reflect the most with questions that reflect the most challenging content.challenging content.

Level 3Level 3 This student has partial success with the This student has partial success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards, but performance is Standards, but performance is inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3 inconsistent. A student scoring in Level 3 answers many of the test questions answers many of the test questions correctly but is generally less successful correctly but is generally less successful with questions that are the most with questions that are the most challenging.challenging.

Level 2Level 2 This student has limited success with the This student has limited success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards.Standards.

Level 1Level 1 This student has little success with the This student has little success with the challenging content of the Sunshine State challenging content of the Sunshine State Standards.Standards.

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FCAT READINGFCAT READING

Reading FCAT 2.0Reading FCAT 2.0

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Words per passageWords per passage

Informational and Literary Passages Informational and Literary Passages are between 500-700 wordsare between 500-700 words

Poems average 100 words Poems average 100 words

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What are the reading What are the reading benchmarks my child will benchmarks my child will

be tested on ?be tested on ? Main IdeaMain Idea Relevant Supporting DetailsRelevant Supporting Details Chronological OrderChronological Order Author’s Purpose and Perspective Author’s Purpose and Perspective Cause and EffectCause and Effect Compare and ContrastCompare and Contrast Informational TextInformational Text Text Structure/Organizational PatternsText Structure/Organizational Patterns Descriptive, Idiomatic and Figurative Descriptive, Idiomatic and Figurative

languagelanguage Theme and TopicTheme and Topic Elements of Story StructureElements of Story Structure

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VOCABULARYVOCABULARY EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Read the sentence from the story.Read the sentence from the story.

““I’m going to slip on a T-shirt, slop on I’m going to slip on a T-shirt, slop on the sunscreen, and slap on a hat. If I the sunscreen, and slap on a hat. If I do, I will reduce my risk of getting do, I will reduce my risk of getting skin cancer when I am an adult.”skin cancer when I am an adult.”

What is the meaning of the word What is the meaning of the word reduce?reduce?

A. make bigA. make bigB. make hotB. make hotC. make lessC. make lessD. make safeD. make safe

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Authors Purpose/Story Authors Purpose/Story StructureStructure1. Why did the author write “Close Friends”?1. Why did the author write “Close Friends”?

A. to show how to make a snowmanA. to show how to make a snowmanB. to explain why snowmen stand aloneB. to explain why snowmen stand aloneC. to teach readers to be nice to snowmenC. to teach readers to be nice to snowmenD. to tell a story about friendshipD. to tell a story about friendship

2. Which sentence BEST tells what the story is 2. Which sentence BEST tells what the story is about?about?A. Bounce was not a good swimmer.A. Bounce was not a good swimmer.B. Willie should not have been throwing rocks.B. Willie should not have been throwing rocks.C. Willie was smart to teach Bounce tricks.C. Willie was smart to teach Bounce tricks.D. Bounce could not talk, but he was able to D. Bounce could not talk, but he was able to get helpget help..

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Compare & ContrastCompare & Contrast

Examples:Examples:

3. How are the star-nosed mole and a hot 3. How are the star-nosed mole and a hot dog ALIKE?dog ALIKE?A. Their length and weight are alike.A. Their length and weight are alike.B. Their width and height are alike.B. Their width and height are alike.C. Their color and thickness are alike.C. Their color and thickness are alike.D. Their age and color are alike. D. Their age and color are alike.

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Informational TextInformational Text

Example:Example:

4.4.Look at the picture of the diver stepping on Look at the picture of the diver stepping on the stingray in Figure 3. What might happen the stingray in Figure 3. What might happen AFTER the diver steps on the stingray by AFTER the diver steps on the stingray by mistakemistake ??

A. The ray will chase the diver.A. The ray will chase the diver. B. The ray will swim with the diver.B. The ray will swim with the diver. C. The ray will sting the diver.C. The ray will sting the diver. D. The ray will hide from the diver.D. The ray will hide from the diver.

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How can I help my child How can I help my child at home?at home?

Read, Read, Read, Read, ReadRead, Read, Read, Read, Read Set aside at least 30 minutes each Set aside at least 30 minutes each

night to read with your child, or night to read with your child, or for independent reading.for independent reading.

Ask your child questions about Ask your child questions about the story (see reading task cards)the story (see reading task cards)

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MATH FCATMATH FCAT

Mathematical Categories Tested

Number: Operations, Problems, and Statistics 50%

Geometry and Measurement 30 %

Number: Fractions 20 %

Complexity of Questions Low complexity - items rely heavily on the recall and

recognition of previously learned concepts and principles. Items typically specify what the student is to do, which is often to carry out some procedure that can be perform.

Moderate complexity items involve more flexible thinking than low complexity items. Items require a response that goes beyond the habitual, is not explicitly specified in the text, and ordinarily has more than a single step. The student is expected to decide what to do—using informal methods of reasoning and problem-solving strategies—and to bring together skill and knowledge from various domains.

High Complexity - items make heavy demands on student thinking. Students must engage in more abstract reasoning, planning, analysis, judgment, and creative thought. Items require that the student think in an abstract and sophisticated way.

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NUMBER SENSENUMBER SENSE

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE: Nathan paid $2 for each of the 3 books

he bought at a bookstore. He can use the expression 3 x 2 to find the total amount he paid for the 3 books. Which of the following is equal to 3 x 2?

A. 3 + 3 + 3B. 2 + 2 + 2C. 3 x 2 + 3D. 2 + 3 x 3

Example

A group of 24 people is getting on a roller coaster. Each car of the roller coaster can hold 4 people. Which equation could be used to find the number of roller coaster cars needed to hold all 24 people?

A. 24 + 4 = __ B. 24 x 4 = __ C. __ + 4 = 24 D. __ x 4 = 24

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What Math skills will my What Math skills will my child be tested on?child be tested on?

MEASUREMENTMEASUREMENT

Measurement Items will not assess weight/mass,

capacity, or temperature in isolation. Time and linear measurement,

including perimeter, will be assessed. Items may use customary and/or

metric units.

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MEASURMENTMEASURMENT

EXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Which of the following is the best estimate Which of the following is the best estimate of the weight of a gerbil?of the weight of a gerbil?

A. 4 ouncesA. 4 ouncesB. 4 poundsB. 4 poundsC. 4 quartsC. 4 quartsD. 4 inches D. 4 inches

FCAT Mathematics Grades 3-10

Rulers will be provided for use on the second session of the Grades 3 and 4 tests.

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What Math skills will my What Math skills will my child be tested on?child be tested on?

ALGEBRAALGEBRA

describes, analyzes, & generalizes describes, analyzes, & generalizes patterns, relations, & functionspatterns, relations, & functions

writes and uses expressions, writes and uses expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs, & equations, inequalities, graphs, & formulas formulas

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ALGEBRAALGEBRAEXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Annette and her brother went fishing. Annette and her brother went fishing. Annette caught 2 more fish than her Annette caught 2 more fish than her brother did. The brother did. The represents the number of represents the number of fish her brother caught. Which of the fish her brother caught. Which of the following could be used to find the number following could be used to find the number of fish Annette caught?of fish Annette caught?

A. A. + 2 + 2 B. B. - - 22C.C. x 2 x 2D. D. ÷÷ 2 2

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What Math skills will my What Math skills will my child tested on?child tested on?

GEOMETRY

describes, draws, identifies, & analyzes two- dimensional shapes

visualizes and illustrates changes in shape

uses coordinate geometry

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GEOMETRYGEOMETRYEXAMPLE:EXAMPLE:

Michèle bought the frame shown below for her Michèle bought the frame shown below for her sports picture. sports picture.

Which best describes the shape of the frame?Which best describes the shape of the frame?

      A. parallelogramA. parallelogramB. pentagonB. pentagonC. rhombusC. rhombusD. trapezoidD. trapezoid

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What Math skills will my What Math skills will my child tested on?child tested on?

DATA ANALYSISDATA ANALYSIS

organizes, interprets, & analyzes organizes, interprets, & analyzes data data

identifies patterns & makes identifies patterns & makes predictions, inferences, & valid predictions, inferences, & valid conclusions conclusions

uses probability & statistics uses probability & statistics

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DATA ANALYSISDATA ANALYSIS

EXAMPLEEXAMPLE::

The weight of each of Sabrina’s dogs is shown in the table above.

Sabrina is planning to adopt another dog that weighs 70 pounds. Based on the information in the graph, how many cups of dog food can Sabrina expect the new dog to eat each week?A 12 cupsB 18 cupsC 28 cupsD 42 cups

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When will I know my child’s When will I know my child’s performance on the FCAT?performance on the FCAT?

Test scores for students and summary Test scores for students and summary scores for schools and districts are scores for schools and districts are distributed late May or early June. distributed late May or early June. Schools send the student reports Schools send the student reports home at the end of the school year. home at the end of the school year.

FCAT results for schools and districts FCAT results for schools and districts are reported through the media and are reported through the media and are available on are available on fcat.fldoe.orgfcat.fldoe.org

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Where can I find more Where can I find more information about the information about the

FCAT?FCAT? Florida Department of Education WebsiteFlorida Department of Education Website fcat.fldoe.orgfcat.fldoe.org

FCATexplorer.comFCATexplorer.com

Justreadflorida.comJustreadflorida.com

Information in Spanish (Español)Information in Spanish (Español)http://fcat.fldoe.org/aboutfcat/spanish/index.html

Day 1 – Monday, April 14, 2014Day 1 – Monday, April 14, 2014

Grades 3 Session 1 - 70 minutesGrades 3 Session 1 - 70 minutes

Day 2 – Tuesday, April 15, 2014Day 2 – Tuesday, April 15, 2014

Grades 3 Reading Session 2 - 70 minutesGrades 3 Reading Session 2 - 70 minutes

Day 3 – Monday, April 21, 2014Day 3 – Monday, April 21, 2014

Grades 3 Mathematics Session 3 70 Grades 3 Mathematics Session 3 70 minutesminutes

Day 4 – Tuesday, April 22, 2014Day 4 – Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Grades 3 Mathematics Session 4 - 70 Grades 3 Mathematics Session 4 - 70 minutesminutes

Duration of Test Duration of Test

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How can I help my child be How can I help my child be successful?successful?

Make sure your child attends school Make sure your child attends school regularlyregularly.. The more effort your child puts into The more effort your child puts into learning, the more likely he or she will perform learning, the more likely he or she will perform well on tests. well on tests.

Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or Meet with your child’s teacher to discuss his or her progress. Ask teachers to suggest ways to her progress. Ask teachers to suggest ways to help the child prepare for tests. help the child prepare for tests.

Encourage your child, especially when he or she Encourage your child, especially when he or she does well. A positive outlook helps children do does well. A positive outlook helps children do their best. their best.

Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at Provide a quiet, comfortable place for studying at home. home.

How can I help my child How can I help my child be successful?be successful?

Make sure that your child is well rested on Make sure that your child is well rested on school days, especially on test days. school days, especially on test days.

Give your child a well-rounded diet. This will help Give your child a well-rounded diet. This will help ensure a healthy body and a healthy, active mind. ensure a healthy body and a healthy, active mind.

Provide books and magazines for your child. By Provide books and magazines for your child. By reading new materials, your child will learn new reading new materials, your child will learn new words that might appear on tests. words that might appear on tests.

Don’t be too anxious about your child’s test Don’t be too anxious about your child’s test scores. The best advice you can give your child is scores. The best advice you can give your child is to “just relax and do your best.” to “just relax and do your best.”

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