FCAT 101: Information and Tips for Grades 3-8

1. TitleI Parent University FCAT 101: Information and Tips for Grades 3-8 Asistencia en español será ofrecida si es necesario.

2. What is the FCAT? The FCAT 2.0 measures student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards (NGSSS) in reading, mathematics, and science.

3. Who Takes the FCAT and When is it Administered? All Florida public school students in grades 3 – 10 are required to take the FCAT. • Grade 3: reading and math • Grade 4: reading, math, and writing • Grade 5: reading, math, and science • Grade 6: reading and math • Grade 7: reading and math • Grade 8: reading, math, writing, and science FCAT will be taken during the weeks of April 16-25.

4. Question Types

5. Reading FCAT 2.0 Design Summary

6. Reading FCAT 2.0 Computer Based Administration(6th grade only)

7. Examples of literature selections

8. Tips/Strategies to Help My Child Succeed on the Reading FCAT • “Prove” your answer with supporting facts and details. • Summarize the story, pausing every now and then to review what was read rather than waiting until the end of the story. • Look for main idea in the first sentence or last sentence of the paragraph. • Use the maps, graphs, charts, and illustrations in the selection to help you. • Use context clues to help you figure out word meanings. • Look for answers to questions based on the sequence, or order of events/information, of the passage. • Read as much as possible and keep a dictionary nearby. • Look for KEY WORDS.

9. Math FCAT 2.0 Design Summary

10. Tips/Strategies to Help My Child Succeed on the Math FCAT • Always read math problems completely before beginning calculations. • Draw a picture that will help you solve the problem. • Do not stay “stuck” on any particular problem; choose the answer you think is best. Then go on with the rest of the test. • Always double check your work if there is time. • Ask yourself if your answer makes sense. • Don’t be afraid to use your fingers if it will help. • Complete Carnegie before FCAT. Exposing yourself to all of the content will increase your understanding and recognition of tested material. • Continue to work on IXL Math. • Finish the test. Any unanswered questions will be marked incorrect.

11. Florida End-of-Course Assessments

12. GEM (Great Explorations in Math) • 6th Grade students will take their Pre-Algebra Final Exam. • 7th Grade GEM students will take the Algebra EOC on a computer. • 7th Grade students will have to pass the EOC in order to receive high school credit. • 8th Grade GEM students will take the pilot Geometry EOC on a computer.

13. Science FCAT 2.0 Design Summary

14. Success in a Science classroom All activities in a student’s science education should be based on science as inquiry. We believe that at all grade levels should have the opportunity to use science inquiry to develop the ability to think, question, plan ,conduct investigations, use appropriate tools and techniques.

15. Helping Your Child Learn Science You can help your children turn curiosity into an understanding of science by encouraging your child to ask questions, make predictions, and explore in a safe environment. This support helps them become successful students and scientific thinkers. Use Pinnacle as a tool. View your child’s grades weekly. If they perform poorly on a Unit Test, use the online Science Resources to review the lessons in the Unit.

16. Making Science Inquiry Fun at Home! Children learn by doing. They try new ideas and challenge old ones. But learning does not just happen in school. You can help your child learn by providing him or her with safe, interesting learning experiences in a supportive atmosphere. Many of the lessons in our Science Fusion textbook are hands on investigations. Choose one and get ready to predict, conduct investigations, and draw conclusions with your child.

17. Tips/Strategies to Help My Child Succeed on the Science FCAT • Review and study digital lessons covered in our Science Fusion curriculum through Think Central. Students have access to the same resources we use in class. Students can review notes from virtual labs and even conduct the same virtual labs at home with you. • Have students review their science journal including notes, vocabulary definitions, and lab reports for each unit covered. • Practice Test taking skills on www.fcatexplorer.com and review lessons from our Measuring Up resource book for 5th graders and Gizmo for 8th graders. • During conversations, instead of giving your child an answer, ask what his/her prediction is. For example: What do you think is going to happen?

18. How Can Students Prepare for the FCAT in School? • Actively participate in all subjects. • Ask questions for clarification. • Complete all class and homework assignments. • Be aware of time and use it wisely. • Be motivated to learn. • Do their best every day!

19. How Do We Help Students Prepare for the FCAT? • Instruction based on Sunshine State Standards • Small group push-in or pull-out tutoring • Target Tutoring • FCAT Prep Books • Carnegie Math (Grades 4-8) • FCAT Explorer • Test Taking Strategies

20. Test Invalidation If a test is invalidated, it means that it will not be scored. If your child’s test is invalidated, they will not receive an FCAT score, and will not be able to retake the same test.

21. 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.

22. Some examples of electronic devices are: • Cell phones • Handheld video games • MP3 players • Calculators (unless you are allowed to have an FCAT calculator)

23. Avoiding Test Anxiety It’s good to be concerned about doing well on a test; however, test anxiety refers to excessive worry about doing well on a test. Excessive worry can actually interfere with a student’s ability to demonstrate what they know. Students know the FCAT is an important test and they are concerned with doing well.

24. To help your child avoid test anxiety follow the tips below: • Begin studying early and review study material more than once. • Cramming increases anxiety and interferes with clear thinking. • 2. Resting, exercising, and eating well are important before the test. • Try a hot breakfast and peppermint. • Send snacks like cheese, apples, and peanut-butter crackers. 3. Review important test skills such as: • bubbling in and erasing carefully • looking for key words in questions • reading all the choices before selecting one • not spending too much time on any one question • answering all the questions (no penalty for trying)

25. Do’s: • Encourage and Praise! • Regular attendance is a must! • Create a quiet, comfortable place to study at home. • Provide books, children’s magazines, and other materials for your child to read at home. • Balance recreation and study time. • Take advantage of tutoring. • Go on websites that help them prepare for the FCAT like: • www.fcatexplorer.com • Carnegie Cognitive Math Tutor • Practice reading when they have free time. 9. Learn multiplication tables 0 to 12. • Learn FCAT reading, science and math vocabulary.

26. Don’ts • Don’t be too anxious about a child’s test scores. • It is not the only option and there are many other things that can determine a child’s abilities. • Don’t be late or rushed on test days! • Don’t skip breakfast!

27. Broward County’sPolicy 6000.1 Pupil Progression Plan

28. Broward County’s Policy 6000.1 Promotion/Retention Criteria

29. Timeline • April- FCAT • May/June- Results • May/June- Alternative Assessments administered and scores • June- Retention/promotion determined • Summertime- 3rd grade summer reading camp and 8th grade course recovery as alternative promotion option offered at a district school (TBA) • Florida Virtual School (FLVS)- also an option RETENTION/PROMOTION: All final promotion determinations are made by the principal based on Policy 6000.1 and hold true in all Broward County Public and Charter Schools.

30. Thank you for coming!!! QUESTIONS??? Go to www.fldoe.org for more information.

31. Helpful Websites • www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/pdf/fc04designsummary.pdf • http://www.fcatexplorer.com – practice and skills reinforcement tool provided by the State Department • http://www.brainchild.com/gen/usmap.asp - online assessment • http://fcit.usf.edu/fcat - provides practice tests that can be printed or taken online • http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/fcatsmpl.htm - FCAT sample items • http://www.broward.k12.fl.us/sbbcpolicies/index.asp • http://getsmarter.org/iln/index.html - math and science practice • www.FLStandardsHelp.com • www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/fclesn02.htm