WELCOME

8th Grade

Mrs. Raimont Mrs. Kantner-Brill

Mrs. Redding Ms. Finklestein

January 12, 2012

FCAT Writing FCAT Writing TestTest

Tuesday, February Tuesday, February 2828thth 2012 2012

What is the FCAT writing?What is the FCAT writing? The FCAT writing requires students to draft a The FCAT writing requires students to draft a

written response to an assigned topic within written response to an assigned topic within a 45 minute time period.a 45 minute time period.

Students are given an expository or a Students are given an expository or a persuasive prompt to respond to.persuasive prompt to respond to.

This year ALL students will receive the same This year ALL students will receive the same prompt. prompt.

How is it scored?How is it scored?

In writing, students can receive a score In writing, students can receive a score from 1 to 6, a 6 being the highest score.from 1 to 6, a 6 being the highest score.

Each essay is scored by two examiner Each essay is scored by two examiner trained by the Department of Education. trained by the Department of Education. Therefore, students will receive either Therefore, students will receive either whole number scores or half number whole number scores or half number

scores this yearscores this year. .

How Is It Scored?How Is It Scored?

Focus- Focus- on topicon topicSupport – Support – elaborationelaborationOrganizationOrganization – logical – logical

progression of ideasprogression of ideasConventions -Conventions - grammar grammar

When will I know how my child scored?When will I know how my child scored?

Test scores for students and Test scores for students and summary scores for schools are summary scores for schools are distributed in late May.distributed in late May.

Students will be given their reports Students will be given their reports to take home at the end of the school to take home at the end of the school year.year.

Sample Expository PromptSample Expository Prompt

Everyone has a favorite hobby or Everyone has a favorite hobby or pastime.pastime.

Think about your favorite hobby or Think about your favorite hobby or pastime.pastime.

Now write to explain why this is your Now write to explain why this is your favorite hobby or pastime.favorite hobby or pastime.

Sample Expository IntroductionSample Expository Introduction

On a typical day of school I count the On a typical day of school I count the seconds for the bell to ring and set me free seconds for the bell to ring and set me free from the shackles that bind me to my desk. I from the shackles that bind me to my desk. I know that when it does, Matt will dash to know that when it does, Matt will dash to basketball practice, and Ashley will prance basketball practice, and Ashley will prance around in the ballet studio. As for me, nothing around in the ballet studio. As for me, nothing compares to the joy I get from sprawling on my compares to the joy I get from sprawling on my bed with my favorite authors. The “thing” for me bed with my favorite authors. The “thing” for me is reading. is reading.

Sample Persuasive PromptSample Persuasive Prompt Recently, there has been a push for Recently, there has been a push for

students to read more at home.students to read more at home.

Think about your position in this issue.Think about your position in this issue. Now write to convince your principal Now write to convince your principal

whether or not students should read whether or not students should read more at home.more at home.

Sample Persuasive IntroductionSample Persuasive Introduction

Curled up in my evergreen backyard I bask in Curled up in my evergreen backyard I bask in a puddle of light with a novel held preciously in my a puddle of light with a novel held preciously in my arms. The story line and characters suck me in, arms. The story line and characters suck me in, and before I know it, the sun meets the tops of the and before I know it, the sun meets the tops of the houses at twilight. This is a daily occurrence for houses at twilight. This is a daily occurrence for me, but so many students are missing out on the me, but so many students are missing out on the wonders of reading, and therefore, losing valuable wonders of reading, and therefore, losing valuable skills. Mr. Principal, I wholeheartedly believe that skills. Mr. Principal, I wholeheartedly believe that students should indeed spend less time playing X-students should indeed spend less time playing X-Box and more time reading at home.Box and more time reading at home.

What can I do to help my child become a What can I do to help my child become a better writer?better writer?

Ask to see samples of his or her writing. Ask to see samples of his or her writing. (MYACCESS is a great source) Offer your critique.(MYACCESS is a great source) Offer your critique. A captivating openingA captivating opening A clear main ideaA clear main idea Supporting details that support that main ideaSupporting details that support that main idea Clear and effective languageClear and effective language A purposeful closing A purposeful closing

Make sure that your child is completing his or her Make sure that your child is completing his or her myaccess myaccess prompts on a timely basis.prompts on a timely basis.

Provide words of encouragement to avoid test Provide words of encouragement to avoid test anxiety.anxiety.

Make sure your child attends writing camp if he or Make sure your child attends writing camp if he or she has received an invitation. she has received an invitation.

FCAT 2.0 Reading TestFCAT 2.0 Reading Test FCAT tests gets progressively more rigorous FCAT tests gets progressively more rigorous

each year.each year. The assessment is compiled of easy, moderate, The assessment is compiled of easy, moderate,

and difficult questions that assess an entire and difficult questions that assess an entire hierarchy of critical thinking skills.hierarchy of critical thinking skills.

** Only 20 to 30 percent of students are expected to answer high Only 20 to 30 percent of students are expected to answer high complexity answers correctly.complexity answers correctly.

Grade Level Lower Level Moderate Level High Level*

6 15-25 50-70 15-25

7 10-20 50-70 15-25

8 10-20 50-70 15-25

Test CompilationTest Compilation: : FCAT 2.0 Reading PortionFCAT 2.0 Reading Portion

Grade 8 - 60% Informational Grade 8 - 60% Informational Magazine or newspaper articlesMagazine or newspaper articles Textbook passagesTextbook passages BiographiesBiographies BrochuresBrochures

40% Literary40% Literary PoemsPoems Short storiesShort stories PlaysPlays

Major BenchmarksMajor Benchmarks

Students are expected to master a key set Students are expected to master a key set of benchmarks as established by the of benchmarks as established by the

Department of Education. Department of Education.

These benchmarks are featured in the form These benchmarks are featured in the form of questions on the FCAT.of questions on the FCAT.

Here are some of the key benchmarks your Here are some of the key benchmarks your child will be expected to know:child will be expected to know:

FCAT 2.0 Reading Grade 8FCAT 2.0 Reading Grade 8Content Focus AreasContent Focus Areas

• Vocabulary in context and structureVocabulary in context and structure• Author’s Purpose and Author’s Point of ViewAuthor’s Purpose and Author’s Point of View• Cause and EffectCause and Effect• Comparison/ContrastComparison/Contrast• Main Idea and Supporting DetailsMain Idea and Supporting Details• Literary Elements (including plot development, characters, setting)Literary Elements (including plot development, characters, setting)• Text Organizational PatternsText Organizational Patterns• Text Features (titles, headings, sub-headings, text in bold or italics)Text Features (titles, headings, sub-headings, text in bold or italics)• Synthesizing Information From Two SourcesSynthesizing Information From Two Sources• Descriptive and Figurative LanguageDescriptive and Figurative Language• Determining Reliability and Validity of InformationDetermining Reliability and Validity of Information

General reading strategies that can be reinforced at home.

• Predicting• Selective Underlining• Margin Note-taking• Summarizing• Paraphrasing• Identify tone• Re-read parts of passage

General question frames that can be applied General question frames that can be applied to any passage.to any passage.

Main Idea:Main Idea:What would be another good title for the article? What would be another good title for the article? What is the central idea of the article? What is the central idea of the article?

Author’s Purpose:Author’s Purpose:What is the author’s purpose for saying ________? What is the author’s purpose for saying ________? The author wants the reader to think _________. The author wants the reader to think _________.

Analyzing and EvaluatingAnalyzing and EvaluatingThe information in the article would be most useful for The information in the article would be most useful for __________.__________.

SynthesizingSynthesizingHow do _____ and ______ suggest the central idea that How do _____ and ______ suggest the central idea that __________? __________?

What else can YOU do to What else can YOU do to help?help?

Encourage your child to read every night. Encourage your child to read every night. Reading CountsReading Counts, it really , it really does!does!

Monitor reading logs. Monitor reading logs. 40 points per quarter – regular classes40 points per quarter – regular classes 60 points – advanced classes60 points – advanced classes

Turn Off The TV, computer, phone, video game!!Turn Off The TV, computer, phone, video game!! Make sure students are completing their FOCUS, Study Island or Make sure students are completing their FOCUS, Study Island or

other online program assignments without help or interruptions. other online program assignments without help or interruptions. Read with your child.Read with your child. Model by reading books/newspapers at home.Model by reading books/newspapers at home. Make sure your child is completing all homework assignments.Make sure your child is completing all homework assignments. Have a positive attitude towards the test. Have a positive attitude towards the test.

Science FCATScience FCAT

Test DetailsTest Details

55thth, 8, 8thth and 11 and 11thth graders take the Science graders take the Science FCAT.FCAT.

Test is comprised of two 80 minute Test is comprised of two 80 minute sessions taken on the same day, sessions taken on the same day, Thursday, April 19Thursday, April 19thth, 2012., 2012.

Question Types and ScoringQuestion Types and Scoring

There are two types of There are two types of questions on the Science questions on the Science FCAT.FCAT. Multiple choice- worth 1 Multiple choice- worth 1

point each and should take point each and should take 1 minute to answer1 minute to answer

Gridded response- worth 1 Gridded response- worth 1 point and should take 1-1.5 point and should take 1-1.5 minutes to answer.minutes to answer.

What will the test What will the test encompass?encompass?

FCAT will focus on science FCAT will focus on science literacy and the ability to use literacy and the ability to use scientific knowledge. scientific knowledge.

Test will Test will NOTNOT focus on the focus on the pure memorization of material.pure memorization of material.

What is covered?What is covered?

The test questions are grouped into four The test questions are grouped into four clusters.clusters.

- Physical/Chemical Sciences - Physical/Chemical Sciences

- Earth and Space Sciences - Earth and Space Sciences

- Life and Environmental Sciences - Life and Environmental Sciences

- Scientific Thinking - Scientific Thinking

SAMPLE SAMPLE QUESTIONSQUESTIONS

How You Can Help Your How You Can Help Your Young ScientistYoung Scientist

Encourage your child to read in the Encourage your child to read in the content area.content area.

Turn on the Discovery channel to Turn on the Discovery channel to increase interest and background increase interest and background knowledge.knowledge.

Discuss current science events.Discuss current science events. Ask them to explain to you basic Ask them to explain to you basic

science phenomena. science phenomena. Why is the sky Why is the sky blue? What type of clouds are blue? What type of clouds are those? What causes morning dew? those? What causes morning dew?

Math FCATMath FCAT

FCAT Math Test FCAT Math Test DesignDesign Two 70 minutes sessions on the same day.Two 70 minutes sessions on the same day.

Approximately 60-65 questions Approximately 60-65 questions Two types of questions:Two types of questions:

Multiple choiceMultiple choice Gridded responseGridded response

Reference Sheet ProvidedReference Sheet Provided Four function calculator Four function calculator Not a computation testNot a computation test

Expressions, Equations, and Functions

Geometry and Measurement

Number Concepts: Operations, Problems,

Statistics

40% 35% 25%

Gridded Response QuestionGridded Response Question

How you can help your child How you can help your child prepare for the Math FCAT.prepare for the Math FCAT.

Make sure your child is completing homework/FOCUS/StudyIsland. Calculate tips and total bill while dining out. Compute gas mileage.   Figure out percentages while shopping: taxes, sales, discounts,

rebates. Practice math facts every day.  (Great websites available) While cutting up a pizza, a pie, or a cake, talk about fractions.  Discuss conversions using household items, i.e., 2 liter

bottles/gallon of milk.  Point out graphs and charts in newspapers and discuss the findings

and how displayed.

Helpful WebsitesHelpful WebsitesMathMath

www.connected.mcgraw-hill.com  (textbook website)

http://fcat.fldoe.org/

www.fcatexplorer.comwww.studyguidezone.com/fcattest.htm

Reading Reading

http://www.edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htmhttp://www.edinformatics.com/testing/testing.htm

Writing Writing

http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/#http://www.creativewritingprompts.com/#

For copies of this presentation, please visit our school For copies of this presentation, please visit our school website www.pinescharter.net. website www.pinescharter.net.

West CampusWest Campus General TabGeneral Tab

FCAT Family Night PowerPoint PresentationFCAT Family Night PowerPoint Presentation

Saturday, January 21, 2012 8:00am – 3:00pm

Accepting donations every day from 8:00am – 4:00

Volunteers are needed on Fri. 1/20 beginning at 8:00am and Sat. 1/21 beginning at 7:00am.  Contact Mrs. Torres— storres@pinescharter.com — with questions or to sign up for volunteer time.

Thank you for your time, Thank you for your time, attention, and dedication. attention, and dedication.

Together we can ensure your Together we can ensure your child’s success! child’s success!