FCAT Parent Night Mater Academy Charter School 4 th and 5 th Grade

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

Who takes the FCAT? All public school students in Grades 3 through 11 are required to take the FCAT. The 4 th graders will take the Writing, Reading, and Math tests. The 5 th graders will take the Reading, Math, and Science tests.

When is the FCAT? n FCAT Writing- 4 th Grade Only February 26-28, 2013 n FCAT Reading, Math, and Science Grades 3-5 April 15-April 26, 2013

Why do students take the FCAT? FCAT questions are created to measure the reading, writing, and math skills. The FCAT helps teachers, principals, and superintendents determine the level of success students have achieved in that year.

FCAT WRITING

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

FCAT Writing Content Focus Focus The student demonstrates a main idea or theme & stays on topic. Organization Organization The student follows a plan that includes an introduction, effective transitional devices, & a conclusion. Support Support The student includes use of specific details & precise word choice to explain, clarify, or define meaning. Conventions Conventions The student demonstrates knowledge of the basic skills of punctuation, capitalization, spelling, usage, & sentence structure.

Narrative and Expository Writing Narrative Writing tells a story that is either real or imagined. Expository Writing explains, defines, or tells how to do something by giving information.

FCAT READING

What is the FCAT reading test like? The FCAT reading test consists of reading passages, fiction or nonfiction, and then responding to comprehension questions. The questions are multiple choice. We will practice together for the FCAT reading test. We will practice together for the FCAT reading test.

The Secret Song The Secret Song Who saw the petals drop from the rose? I, said the spider, But nobody knows. Who saw the sunset flash on a bird? I, said the fish, But nobody heard. Who saw the fog come over the sea? I, said the sea pigeon, Only me. Who saw the first green light of the sun? I, said the night owl, The only one. Who saw the moss creep over the stone? I, said the gray fox, All alone.

Lets try to answer these FCAT questions. How are all the animals ALIKE? a. T hey all were alone outside. b. T hey all were with other animals. c. T hey all saw the dawn of a new day. d. T hey all saw what drifted over the water. Read the line from the poem. Who saw the moss creep over the stone? What does the word creep mean? a. t o grow slowly b. t o drop quickly c. t o flash quickly d. t o march slowly

Two more questions… Why did the author write the poem? a. t o share what it is like to be alone b. t o explain how the seasons change c. t o convince reader to go outdoors d. t o share special moments in nature What would be another good title for this poem? a. “ Who Saw the Rose?” b. “ Only the Animals Know” c. “ The Green Light of Day” d. “ Mist Coming Over the Ocean”

FCAT MATH

What is on the FCAT Math test? The FCAT math test consists of multiple choice questions solving problems in the areas of number sense, measurement, geometry, algebra, and data analysis. Grade 5 sample questions: _Gr5_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf _Gr5_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf _Gr5_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf Grade 4 sample questions: _Gr4_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf _Gr4_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf _Gr4_Math_TB_WT_r3g.pdf

Lets try these math problems. The fourth graders at Mater Academy Charter School went on a field trip. There were 58 students on one bus and 47 on the other bus. How many students went on the field trip? a. 1 1 b c d. 2 10

One more math question… Day of the Week Amount of Rainfall Monday 0.12 inches Tuesday 0.02 inches Wednesday 0.21 inches Thursday 0.11 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 SCIENCE

What is on the FCAT Science test? n The FCAT Science test consists of multiple choice questions in the area of physical, earth/space, life science and nature of science. n Grade 5 Science sample questions:

Lets try these science questions. One morning, Ryan noticed there were tiny drops of water on the grass as he walked to school. That afternoon, he did not see any drops of water on the grass when he returned home. Which of the following best explains what happened to the drops of water? A. The heat from the air caused the water drops to boil. B. The air cooled the water and caused the drops to freeze. C. The Sun heated the water and caused the drops to evaporate. D. The energy from the Sun caused the water drops to condense.11

Lets try these science questions. A star named Sirius appears as the brightest star in the nighttime sky, even though a star named Pollux actually gives off more light. Which of the following best explains why Sirius appears brighter than Pollux in our nighttime sky? A. Sirius has a different color than Pollux has. B. Sirius has different gases than Pollux has. C. Sirius is closer to Earth than Pollux is. D. Sirius is larger than Pollux is.

Tips to Help Your Child with the FCAT! Read with your child EVERY night. Read with your child EVERY night. Ask your child questions about what he or she is reading, using the FCAT task cards. Ask your child questions about what he or she is reading, using the FCAT task cards. Check your child’s math homework and SHOW them their mistakes. Check your child’s math homework and SHOW them their mistakes. Review the TIMES TABLES daily. You can practice in the car, at breakfast, at the store. Review the TIMES TABLES daily. You can practice in the car, at breakfast, at the store. Make sure you read and discuss your child’s writing with them. Make sure you read and discuss your child’s 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 Let your child practice at home on Reading Plus and Achieve 3000 Reading Plus and Achieve 3000

Online Resources n Florida Dept. of Education FAQs about the FCAT: Cat=0 Cat=0 Cat=0 n FCAT all in one FCAT Sheet: 13FactSheet20.pdf 13FactSheet20.pdf 13FactSheet20.pdf n More sample questions:

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