Redland Elementary School’s Fourth Grade FCAT Information Night for Parents

Wednesday, January 29, 2014 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.

• The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to measure what they know and are able to accomplish in reading, writing, mathematics, and science. The test is part of Florida’s plan to improve student achievement. It measures the Sunshine State Standards.

What is the FCAT?

FCAT Information to Know

FCAT Writing Test February 25 & 26, 2014

FCAT Reading Test April 14-24, 2014

Ms. BabiloniaMrs. MalagonMs. Valiente

Mrs. BryantMrs. HendrixMrs. Marti

Math/Science Teachers

Reading/Language Arts Teachers

ESE Teacher: Mrs. Walker

Writing• Focus on the Topic• Organization• Support With Details• Conventions Spelling, Conventions, Word Choice

Sample

Definition of Expository Writing

The purpose of expository writing is to inform, clarify, explain, define, or instruct by giving information, explaining why or how, clarifying a process, or defining a concept. Well-written exposition has a clear, central focus developed through a carefully crafted presentation of facts, examples, or definitions that enhance the reader’s understanding. These facts, examples, and definitions are objective and not dependent on emotion, although the writing may be lively, engaging, and reflective of the writer’s underlying commitment to the topic.

The weather in south Florida often includes warm temperatures. Many people travel to Florida each year due to the climate being comfortable year round.on many occasions the weather allows for tourists to visit our attractions throughout the state. If snow is the weather you are looking for, do not spend your hard earned money on a trip to sunny Florida. On the other hand, come on down to the beaches of our Sunshine State and soak up the sun! I enjoy the warm weather because I can play basketball at the park near my house, I can camp outside with my friends, and last but not least, I can ride my bicycle with my family in our neighborhood.

I enjoy the warm weather because I can play basketball at the park near my house._______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Another reason warm weather is my favorite weather is because I can camp outside with my friends. For example, last spring when the thermometer read 78 degrees my friends and I slept in my tent in my back yard. There was no need for wool blankets or longjohns. We played checkers by the light of the moon. On another occasion, _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Reason #1 with EXAMPLES

Reason #2 with EXAMPLES

TALK ABOUT THE TOPIC

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I enjoy the warm weather because I can play basketball at the park near my house, I can camp outside with my friends, and last but not least, I can ride my bicycle with my family in our neighborhood. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Last but not least, I can ride my bicycle with my family in our neighborhood when the weather is warm. When dinner is over, we often pedal around the block together. Strapping on my helmet and wearing shorts on 72 degree evenings, I can feel the breezeas I race my dad on my Barracuda Bike from Ben Bicycle Bungalow. It was a gift from my abuela. Swishhhhh…. That’s the sound of the wind as I pass by my father. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Expository EXPLAINS!!! Write with DETAILS, EXAMPLES, and FACTS!

Reason #3 with EXAMPLES

Definition of Narrative WritingThe purpose of narrative writing is to recount a personal or fictional experience or to tell a story based on a real or imagined event. In well-written narration, a writer uses insight, creativity, drama, suspense, humor, or fantasy to create a central theme or impression. The details all work together to develop an identifiable story line that is easy to follow and paraphrase.

Beginning, Middle, End

Where does the story take place?

Who is in the story? What is the topic?

What happens? How does the story end?

Sitting outside by her favorite tree, Marilyn Maggie Muffet sat on her tuffet.Her mother had given her a medium sized bowl of warm curds and whey to consume for her lunch. Marilyn adored her tuffet which was made for her by her grandfather who lives in Paris, France. Something that Miss Muffet does NOT adore, rather ABHORS, are spiders.

After taking a few small nibbles of her delicious meal, Marilyn spied a rather large eight legged creature dangling in front of her. Possibly it spun a web while she was eating. Now however, it has captured her attention. Her eyes became as large as silver dollars and her hands began to shake. Sweat proceeded to drip from her brow and little Miss Muffet had tears swelling in her eyes. Would you believe that spider decide to sit down beside her? It frightened Miss Muffet away! And when I say “away” I mean all the way to her mother who was rocking her baby brother Benjamin to sleep inside her house.

After her scary afternoon, Miss Marilyn Maggie Muffet decided to research the spider on her Mac computer. She soon learned that the eight legged creature meant no harm and was simply sniffing out a nearby fly it could wrap in its web for a meal. The day she was eating her favorite food on her treasured gift from her grandfather, with a spider beside her, will be a day she will always remember!

Tell a story about a time something happened to you that you will always remember.

FCAT Narrative TELLS a story: Beginning, Middle, End

Setting, Characters, Topic Introduction

Build a Story With Events Described in Detail!

Conclusion should be strong. Leave the readerwith a thought or feeling.

Expository Writing Informs and Teaches. It EXPLAINS Opening Paragraph Introduces the Topic, Gives REASONS

Three Middle Paragraphs explain the reasons with examples.

The closing paragraph repeats the reasons.

Continue to READ each night! Readers make the best Writers! When you READ you are hearing words used in context properly. You are also

reading wonderful sentence variety.

On the morning of the test:Please EAT A NUTRITIOUS BREAKFAST.

Good : Oatmeal, juice, toast/jelly Eggs, bacon, juice or milk, toast

Arrive on time and ready to shine!

The night BEFORE THE TEST: Get to bed early. Sleep in your favorite pajamas.

Pat Riley

The F.CA.T. Math Assessment

Two 70 minute sessions Numbers and Operations (45%) Geometry and Measurement (30%) Algebra (25%)

Vocabulary (15-25%) Reading Application (25 – 35%) Literary Analysis: Fiction and Nonfiction ( 25 – 35%) Informational Text & Research Process (15 – 25%)

FCAT 2.0 Categories for Reading and the Percentage of Raw Score Points That will be Derived from Each Content Category

Note: Fourth Grade Reading Passages may be 100-900 words in length.The average passage has 500 words.

1.Why does Miss Bilberry want to move?A She is lonely in the pale yellow house.B She is looking for an exciting adventure.C She wants more space for her vegetable garden.D She thinks she will be more content somewhere else. 2.What happens when Miss Bilberry and her animals get lost in the tall flowers?F They learn that Miss Bilberry is a good tree climber.G They get confused and travel in the wrong direction.H They see the beautiful gardens around the mountains. I They decide to turn around and go back to their home. 3.How do Miss Bilberry and her animals finally find their way out of the tall flowers?A Miss Bilberry climbs a tree and tells everyone where to go.B Chester C Chitty and Chatty fly ahead and then lead the way to a house.D Miss Bilberry and her animals use the blue mountains as a guide.

The correct answer is D (She thinks she will be more content somewhere else). Type of Text: Literary Benchmark: LA.4.1.7.4 The student will identify cause-and-effect relationships in text. The correct answer is D. The cause of Miss Bilberry wanting to move is that She just couldn’t stop wondering whether she might not be even happier if she lived on the other side of the mountains.

The correct answer is G (They get confused and travel in the wrong direction). Type of Text: Literary Benchmark: LA.4.2.1.2 The student will identify and explain the elements of plot structure, including exposition, setting, character development, problem/resolution, and theme in a variety of fiction. The correct answer is G. The passage states that They reached a place where the flowers were taller than Miss Bilberry! They could hardly see where they were going. At this point, the animals start arguing about the direction they should travel. “This is the wrong way,” snarled Chester. “No it isn’t,” snapped Cecilie. Then, Miss Bilberry climbed a tree, but she still wasn’t sure where they were.

The correct answer is C (Chitty and Chatty fly ahead and then lead the way to a house). Type of Text: Literary Benchmark: LA.4.1.7.3 The student will determine explicit ideas and information in grade-level text, including but not limited to main idea, relevant supporting details, implied message, inferences, chronological order of events, summarizing, and paraphrasing. The correct answer is C. After Miss Bilberry and her animals have been traveling for a long time and become lost in the tall flowers, Chitty and Chatty fly ahead. When they return, they say, “We’ve found a lovely house . . . with trees and flowers! Follow us!”

For more detailed information, follow this link to the Florida NGSSS website: http://www.floridastandards.org/index.aspx, or follow this link to the current benchmark language in the FCAT 2.0 Reading Test Item Specifications:

http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/itemspecs.asp.

To make sure a test is not invalidated

All electronic devices must be turned off before the test.

Your child’s teacher will collect all electronic devices during the testing period.

1. www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/pdf/fc04designsummary.pdf2. http://www.fcatexplorer.com – practice and skills reinforcement

tool provided by the State Department3. http://www.brainchild.com/gen/usmap.asp - online assessment4. http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat - provides practice tests that can be printed

or taken online5. http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/fcatsmpl.htm - FCAT sample

items6. http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/sbbcpolicies/index.asp 7. http://getsmarter.org/iln/index.html - math and science practice8. www.FLStandardsHelp.com9. www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/fclesn02.htm

Helpful Websites

Thank you for coming!!!

Go to www.fldoe.org for more information.