FCAT Parent NightFCAT Parent Night

Mater Academy Charter SchoolMater Academy Charter School

44thth and 5 and 5thth Grade Grade

What is the FCAT?What is the FCAT?The Florida Comprehensive Assessment The Florida Comprehensive Assessment

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

Who takes the FCAT?Who takes the FCAT?

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

The 4The 4thth graders will take the Writing, graders will take the Writing, Reading, and Math tests.Reading, and Math tests.

The 5The 5thth graders will take the graders will take the Reading, Math, and Science tests.Reading, Math, and Science tests.

When is the FCAT?When is the FCAT?

FCAT Writing- 4FCAT Writing- 4thth Grade Only Grade Only

February 26-28, 2013February 26-28, 2013 FCAT Reading, Math, and Science FCAT Reading, Math, and Science

Grades 3-5Grades 3-5

April 15-April 26, 2013April 15-April 26, 2013

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

FCAT questions are created to FCAT questions are created to measure the reading, writing, and measure the reading, writing, and math skills.math skills.

The FCAT helps teachers, principals, The FCAT helps teachers, principals, and superintendents determine the and superintendents determine the level of success students have level of success students have achieved in that year.achieved in that year.

FCAT WRITINGFCAT WRITING

What is the FCAT Writing test?What is the FCAT Writing test?

For the FCAT writing test, students For the FCAT writing test, students demonstrate their writing skills by demonstrate their writing skills by responding to a topic (prompt), responding to a topic (prompt), within 60 minutes. The 4within 60 minutes. The 4thth grade grade students are randomly assigned a students are randomly assigned a prompt to tell a story (narrative) or prompt to tell a story (narrative) or to explain (expository).to explain (expository).

FCAT Writing ContentFCAT Writing Content FocusFocusThe student demonstrates a main idea or theme & stays The student demonstrates a main idea or theme & stays on topic.on topic.

OrganizationOrganizationThe student follows a plan that includes an introduction, The student follows a plan that includes an introduction, effective transitional devices, & a conclusion.effective transitional devices, & a conclusion.

SupportSupportThe studentThe student includes use of specific details & precise includes use of specific details & precise word choice to explain, clarify, or define meaning.word choice to explain, clarify, or define meaning.

ConventionsConventionsThe student demonstrates knowledge of the basic skills The student demonstrates knowledge of the basic skills of punctuation, capitalization, spelling, usage, & of punctuation, capitalization, spelling, usage, & sentence structure.sentence structure.

Narrative and Expository Narrative and Expository WritingWriting

Narrative Writing Narrative Writing tellstells a story that is a story that is either real or imagined.either real or imagined.

Expository Writing Expository Writing explainsexplains, , defines, or tells how to do defines, or tells how to do something by giving information.something by giving information.

FCAT READINGFCAT READING

What is the FCAT reading What is the FCAT reading test like?test like?

The FCAT reading test consists of The FCAT reading test consists of reading passages, fiction or reading passages, fiction or nonfiction, and then responding to nonfiction, and then responding to comprehension questions. The comprehension questions. The questions are multiple choice.questions are multiple choice.

We will practice together for the We will practice together for the FCAT reading test. FCAT reading test.

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”

FCAT MATHFCAT MATH

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

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

Grade 5 sample questions: Grade 5 sample questions: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/sample/1112/math/FLhttp://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/sample/1112/math/FL530623_Gr5_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf530623_Gr5_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf

Grade 4 sample questions: Grade 4 sample questions: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/sample/1112/math/FLhttp://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/sample/1112/math/FL530621_Gr4_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf530621_Gr4_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf

Lets try these math problems.Lets try these math problems.

The fourth graders at Mater Academy The fourth graders at Mater Academy Charter School went on a field trip. Charter School went on a field trip. There were 58 students on one bus There were 58 students on one bus and 47 on the other bus. How many and 47 on the other bus. How many students went on the field trip?students went on the field trip?

a.a. 1111

b.b. 105105

c.c. 107107

d.d. 210210

One more math question…One more math question…

Day of the WeekDay of the Week Amount of RainfallAmount of Rainfall

MondayMonday 0.12 inches0.12 inches

TuesdayTuesday 0.02 inches0.02 inches

WednesdayWednesday 0.21 inches0.21 inches

ThursdayThursday 0.11 inches0.11 inches

Amount of Rainfall

On what day of the week did Sam record the least amount of rainfall?

a. Monday

b. Tuesday

c. Wednesday

d. Thursday

FCAT SCIENCEFCAT SCIENCE

What is on the FCAT Science test?What is on the FCAT Science test?

The FCAT Science test consists of The FCAT Science test consists of multiple choice questions in the multiple choice questions in the area of area of physicalphysical, , earth/spaceearth/space, , lifelife sciencescience and and nature of nature of sciencescience..

Grade 5 Science sample questions: Grade 5 Science sample questions: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/FL09G5Sci.pdfhttp://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/FL09G5Sci.pdf

Lets try these science questionsLets try these science questions..

One morning, Ryan noticed there were tiny drops of One morning, Ryan noticed there were tiny drops of water on the grass as he walked to school. water on the grass as he walked to school.

That afternoon, he did not see any drops of water on the That afternoon, he did not see any drops of water on the grass when he returned home. Which of the following grass when he returned home. Which of the following best explains what happened to the drops of water? best explains what happened to the drops of water?

A. The heat from the air caused the water drops to boil. A. The heat from the air caused the water drops to boil.

B. The air cooled the water and caused the drops to B. The air cooled the water and caused the drops to freeze. freeze.

C. The Sun heated the water and caused the drops to C. The Sun heated the water and caused the drops to evaporate. evaporate.

D. The energy from the Sun caused the water drops to D. The energy from the Sun caused the water drops to condense.11condense.11

Lets try these science questionsLets try these science questions..

A star named Sirius appears as the A star named Sirius appears as the brightest star in the nighttime sky, even brightest star in the nighttime sky, even though a star named Pollux actually though a star named Pollux actually gives off more light. Which of the gives off more light. Which of the following best explains why Sirius following best explains why Sirius appears brighter than Pollux in our appears brighter than Pollux in our nighttime sky? nighttime sky?

A. Sirius has a different color than Pollux has. A. Sirius has a different color than Pollux has.

B. Sirius has different gases than Pollux has. B. Sirius has different gases than Pollux has.

C. Sirius is closer to Earth than Pollux is. C. Sirius is closer to Earth than Pollux is.

D. Sirius is larger than Pollux is. D. Sirius is larger than Pollux is.

Tips to Help Your Child Tips to Help Your Child with the FCAT!with the FCAT!

Read with your child EVERY night.Read with your child EVERY night. Ask your child questions about what he or she Ask your child questions about what he or she

is reading, using the FCAT task cards.is reading, using the FCAT task cards. Check your child’s math homework and SHOW Check your child’s math homework and SHOW

them their mistakes.them their mistakes. Review the TIMES TABLES daily. You can Review the TIMES TABLES daily. You can

practice in the car, at breakfast, at the store.practice in the car, at breakfast, at 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 Point out the positive things about their

writing.writing. Let your child practice at home on Let your child practice at home on Reading Plus and Achieve 3000Reading Plus and Achieve 3000

Online ResourcesOnline Resources

Florida Dept. of Education FAQs about the Florida Dept. of Education FAQs about the FCAT: http://www.fldoe.org/faq/default.asp?FCAT: http://www.fldoe.org/faq/default.asp?Dept=179&Cat=0Dept=179&Cat=0

FCAT all in one FCAT Sheet: FCAT all in one FCAT Sheet: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/2012-http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/pdf/2012-13FactSheet20.pdf13FactSheet20.pdf

More sample questions: More sample questions: http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/itemspecs.asphttp://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/itemspecs.asp

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!

I hope that this helps! If you have I hope that this helps! If you have any questions and concerns please any questions and concerns please feel free to ask!feel free to ask!