1. FSA Parent Information Night
Third Grade 2017

2. Practice
Students are taking practice tests. Knowing the format and seeing the types of questions that will be asked can help build your child’s confidence.
Students are practicing test taking strategies.
Weekly classroom reading assessments have formatted FSA questions

3. What is on the Reading FSA?
Informational Text
Magazine articles
How-to Articles
Advertisements
Biographies
Literary Text
Short Stories
Poems
Fables/Folktales/Myths
Narratives
Plays

4. Types of Reading Content tested on FSA
Main Idea
Sequence/Chronological Order
Author’s Point of View/Perspective
Character’s Point of View
Drawing Conclusions/Inferences
Text Features
Themes
Compare/Contrast
Text Structure

5. Grammar Prefixes (un-, dis-, re-, etc.) Suffixes (-ness, -ly, etc.)
Root words
Multiple Meaning Words
Antonyms
Synonyms
Relationships between words
Words in context
Figurative Language

6. Sample FSA Reading Vocabulary Question:
They shuffle, or drag their feet, on the ice as they move from place to place.
What does shuffle mean as used in the sentence above?
To run very fast
To hope on one foot
To take large steps
To walk without lifting their feet

7. Sample FSA Question:
Based on evidence from the text, Ronelle would MOST likely agree with the idea that
Fruit Snacks are a healthy snack.
Getting a cavity filled is a fun experience
It is easy to be in charge of a younger brother
Fruits are good for you because they are naturally sweet.

8. Sample Multi-Select Question:

9. Sample Question:
For graphic response items, enter your response by drawing lines between matching words or phrases. Drawing lines is the correct way to enter your answer ONLY for the items that ask you to do this.
Example:
Draw lines to match the words with the correct definitions based on information in the passage.
Sun A satellite that revolves around the Earth.
Moon The star at the center of the Solar System.

10. For two-part items, enter your responses to two related questions
For two-part items, enter your responses to two related questions. The two parts of the item may be either multiple-choice (one correct answer) or multi-select (more than one correct answer), so be sure to read the item carefully to know how many correct answers to choose.

11. Sample FSA Question:

12. What’s on the Math Computer-Based FSA?
Represent and solve problems involving multiplication and division
Multiplication Properties
Solve Problems in four operations and explain patterns
Use Place Value
Fractions
Time: nearest minute, elapsed time
Volume and Mass
Describe & analyze 2D shapes
Algebra (patterns, tables, graphs)
Data Analysis (construct & read tables, graphs, pictographs, line plots)
Measurement: nearest quarter inch
Area and Perimeter

13. Sample Question 3 (Multi- Select):
Select all expressions that have a product of 320.
3 x 90
4 x 80
5 x 60
8 x 40
9 x 30

14. Some equation items have two parts
Some equation items have two parts. For a two-part equation item like the one in Example B, be sure to enter your answer for each part of the item.

15. Common Math Mistakes to Avoid
Rushing Kids get it in their minds that those who finish the quickest are the best at math.
The test-writers know that doing half the steps will result in answer “A”, so the student stops halfway through the problem but finds his answer.
Not Making a Picture or Table to Help It doesn’t matter HOW students get the answer as long as it is right.
So, using a picture to help students “see” the solution will often help a student.
Answering the wrong question Test writers throw in extra numbers and information
Students need to make sure they are answering the actual question being asked.

16. Help Your Child Understand These Very Important Tips
Pay attention - Stress that they will need to listen to the testing instructions very closely and follow the directions exactly.
Don’t rush to finish - Make sure they use any extra time to check their answers and complete any questions they left blank. Solve the problem twice!

17. Help Your Child Understand These Very Important Tips
Skipping is OK - Remind your child that they don’t have to answer the questions in order. If they’re unsure about a question, tell them it’s OK to come back to it later. Students will have enough time if they maintain a consistent pace throughout the test. They should not get “bogged-down” on any one question. Encourage your child to answer every question.

18. Help Your Child Understand These Very Important Tips
Find the best answer - It’s tempting for children to choose the first answer that looks right. Make sure they understand that several of the answers may seem right, but that they need to choose the one best answer.
Check reasonableness

19. Help Your Child Understand These Very Important Tips
Aim High!
Encourage them to do their best and help them believe that they will do well.
Send them to school with words of encouragement and make sure he/she is relaxed, confident, and positive.

20. Minimize the “Fear Factor”
Let your child know that it is normal to be nervous about the “unknown”, but the more he/she knows about the test the less nervous they will feel.
Help them understand that they can rely on what they have been taught throughout the year.

21. What You Can Do at Home:
Look over homework and weekly classroom assessments.
i-Station
i- Ready
Study Multiplication Facts
Read to and with your child

22. Put them to bed: Sleepy children have a tough time concentrating.
It is particularly important for your child to get a good night’s sleep the night before a big test. For most elementary school children, 10 hours of sleep every night is best.

23. Give them “brain food”
Give your child a healthy breakfast the morning of a big test and remember that good nutrition fuels brains year-round.
Food high in fat or sugar doesn’t provide the nutrients children need to do their best.

24. Student Progression
Reading is the basic skill upon which all others are built.
Sometimes more time is needed.
Retention may set up the child for greater future success.
A minimum score is required for promotion to 4th grade.

25. Why is Retention Sometimes Necessary?
Retention is the act of having a student repeat a grade to give them the extra time they need to build a stronger academic “foundation”.
If a student repeats a grade, it does not mean that the student has failed. It does not mean that teachers or parents are not working hard enough.

26. What if a Student Doesn’t Pass the Test?
If a student receives a non-passing score on the Reading FSA:
Student will take the SAT-10 assessment before the school year ends.
Student could also be promoted based on an i-Station test scored at or above the 50th percentile (taken before the school year ends).

27. For more Information:
(State of FL Department of Education)
(Lake County Website)

28. Third Grade FSA Schedule:
Reading FSA: March
Math FSA: April 18 – 19
**Please see handout 