Understanding the FCAT Understanding the FCAT Writing TestWriting Test

Spanish Lake ElementaryParent Writing WorkshopNovember 14, 2011

PurposePurpose

Understand what is tested in the FCAT Writing Test

Understand the State’s Rubric so that they can work with their children

Learn about strategies they can use at home to help their children be more effective writers

As a result of attending this presentation, participants will:

What is FCAT Writing?What is FCAT Writing?A test where students are

required to write a response to an assigned topic.

Students receive a score for the written response.

Types of WritingTypes of WritingExpository – Writing to explain or inform

Narrative – Writing to tell a story

Persuasive – Writing to persuade

Student scores are based on the following:Student scores are based on the following: FOCUS:

◦ Know how to read the prompt.◦ Stay on topic throughout the paper.

ORGANIZATION:◦ Plan before writing.◦ Have a clear beginning, middle, and end.◦ Include a topic sentence in the beginning and a concluding sentence in the end.◦ Use transitions

SUPPORT:◦ Remove information that is not about the topic.◦ Develop “magnified moments.”◦ Turn “telling” sentences into “showing” sentences.◦ Use similes, metaphors, and figurative language.◦ Use vivid verbs, concrete nouns, powerful adjectives, and adverbs

CONVENTIONS: (Sentence Variety)◦ Practice rearranging sentence parts.◦ Use appropriate punctuation in sentences.

Supporting DetailsSupporting DetailsBare-simple listing or events or reason "I like to go to school because it is fun.”

Extension-information that begins to clarify meaning

"I like to go to school because it is fun when the teacher allows us to do experiments with frogs.”

Techniques for Innovative BeginningsTechniques for Innovative Beginnings

A command to the reader◦ Never try to outsmart a skunk.

A question◦ What possessed me to try and catch a skunk?

A quotation◦ “What on earth is that wretched smell?” my sister said

as she gagged.An action

◦ I had never run so fast in my life. Unfortunately, it wasn’t fast enough!

Grab the Reader

A sound effect◦PSFST!” I smelled the skunk’s spray almost

as soon as I heard it.A theme statement

◦ It was a battle with nature. Nature won.A thought

◦As I walked through the woods, I imagined how a skunk might be forced to protect itself.

More Techniques for Innovative Beginnings…

TransitionsTransitions

Order Words◦First, then, finally, and furthermore may not be

enough…

◦gradually, eventually, briefly, in the future, in a short time, promptly, meanwhile, later, on the other hand, inevitably, for this reason, in a split second, nevertheless, as a result, in a flash, suddenly, in any event, as a consequence, all of a sudden, at once, at last, afterwards, after a while, soon…

Ideas have to flow with smooth transitions…

Narrative TransitionsNarrative Transitionsat that very moment meanwhile for this reason

to my surprise unexpectedly nevertheless

in a split second afterwards gradually

eventually in any event at the speed of light

in two seconds flat inevitably briefly

in the future promptly later

on the other hand as a result in a flash

suddenly at last soon

at once all of a sudden cautiously

This story really begins

And in less than an instant

Once, not too long ago

This adventurous story really begins

Night followed day and day followed night over and over again.

You need to provoke some kind of emotion You need to provoke some kind of emotion

or reaction in the reader through or reaction in the reader through voicevoice……

Voice is accomplished through precise word choice

Lets the reader know the mood, the tone

Lets the reader be “in the moment” with the writer

The ideas should be well developed The ideas should be well developed through magnified moments…through magnified moments…

The baby was upset. (Telling)The baby held his breath and screamed. (Showing)

I was really mad. (Telling)I ran to the door, threw it open with a loud bang against the wall, and yelled, Get in this house right this minute!” (Showing)

Show Don’t TellShow Don’t TellUse sensory details, figurative language,

vivid verbs and descriptions to help the reader create a mental picture of what is going on in the text.

Show me how it looks, feels, smells, tastes or sounds.

Substitute boring general words for Substitute boring general words for precise wordsprecise wordsFocus: Active Verbs – Sensory WordsFocus: Active Verbs – Sensory Words

Sound Sound SightSight TasteTaste TouchTouch Smell Smell

laughing, laughing, clapping, clapping, shrieking, shrieking, screaming, screaming, crying, whining, crying, whining, splashing, splashing, whoosh of the whoosh of the roller coaster, roller coaster, chomping, chomping, crunching , crunching , pounding on the pounding on the pavement, pavement, blowing whistle, blowing whistle, singing, singing, humminghumming

squinting, squinting, staring, staring, observing, observing, peeking, peeking, browsing, smilingbrowsing, smiling

licking, slurping, licking, slurping, gobbling, gobbling, sucking, gulping, sucking, gulping, smacking, smacking, salivatingsalivating

grab, clutch, grab, clutch, yank, hug, yank, hug, pushing, pulling, pushing, pulling, pokingpoking

sniffing, get a sniffing, get a whiff ofwhiff of

VocabularyVocabulary Use a Thesaurus to change simple words

into more intelligent complex words.

Examples Big - EnormousPretty- StunningDifficult- IntricateBlue- SapphireImportant- Significant

Figurative LanguageFigurative Language

Hyperbole- an extreme exaggerationI am so hungry, I could eat a horse

Metaphor- comparing two unlike thingsThe snow was a soft blanket that

covered the yard.Simile- comparing two things using like or as

He is as mean as a angry gorilla.Onomatopoeia- sound words make

POW, BOOM, Zoom

EndingsEndingsCircular ending – when beginning with an

impacting line, repeat the line at end of the writing. (e.g.,. . .because I see it through Grandpa’s eyes.

Emotional statement – end by making statement that sums up a feeling described in a narrative, expository or persuasive paper (e.g., “You must change your life.” Or “And that was always enough.”)

Surprise ending – A surprise ending does not have to be shocking. It can be anything unusual or a new way of looking at something.

Other Endings ContinuedOther Endings ContinuedOffer the reader advice: “Don’t forget

to always be nice to your mother.”

Make a prediction: “ I predict that I will travel the world in my time machine.”

Thank you for coming!Thank you for coming!

This PowerPoint presentation will be available on the following website:

www.explorereadingandmath.org

www.sle.dadeschools.net (in the parent information section)