3 rd Grade FCAT Information

1. 3rd GradeFCAT Information Bartram Springs Elementary 2013-2014

2. Purpose: The purpose of this PowerPoint is to share information about our upcoming FCAT 2.0 assessment and to provide you with specific details, tips, and examples of actual FCAT test items.

3. What is the FCAT? • The Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test® 2.0 is a criterion-referenced test that measures student achievement of the Next Generation Sunshine State Standards. • Third Grade students are only assessed in Reading and Math.

4. When will the FCAT take place? FCAT Reading: FCAT Math: • Monday, April 15thSession 1 70 minutes • Tuesday, April 16thSession 2 70 minutes • Wednesday, April 17thSession 1 70 minutes • Thursday, April 18thSession 2 70 minutes

5. FCAT levels are calculated by determining the # of questions answered correctly andalso by complexity level of the questions. • A level 5 is the highest a student can earn. • A level 1 is the lowest score and indicates a student is performing a year below grade level. • Third Grade students must earn a Level 2 on the READING portion to pass the FCAT. • Students who earn a Level 1 in READING will fall under the mandatory retention rule. FCAT Levels: FCAT levels range from 1-5

6. FCAT 2.0 Format: • All questions in reading and math are multiple choice. • Third grade students are allowed and encouraged to write in the test booklet. They may underline text in questions and in passages. Students may also use math strategies to solve problems.

7. FCAT Reading • The number of words in reading passages ranges from 100 to 700 words, with an average of 500 words. • In third grade 60% of the passages are literary text and 40% are informational text. • There will be a total of 50 – 55 reading questions divided into the two days.

8. FCAT Reading • Percentage of Points by Cognitive Complexity Level for FCAT 2.0: • Low-complexity items rely heavily on recall and recognition. • Moderate-complexity items require more flexible thinking and may require informal reasoning or problem solving. • High-complexity items are written to elicit analysis and abstract reasoning.

9. Using context clues: Sample reading items… Read these sentences from the story. With one more powerful swish of her tail and a snap of her jaws, the wet blackbird would be hers—feet, feathers, and all! But just as the bass was about to lunge for the bird, an otter came streaking through the water. What is the meaning of the word lungeas used in the sentences above? A. to dive down and swim under him B. to move quickly forward and grab him C. to jump out of the pond and splash him D. to turn around and swim away from him

10. Character development: How do the parents change from BEFORE the baby bird falls into the pond to AFTER he lands on the shore? A. First they are calm; then they are anxious. B. First they are peaceful; then they are restless. C. First they are protective; then they are relaxed. D. First they are nervous; then they are frightened.

11. An example of informational text on the FCAT

12. Text features: Based on the flier, what is the purpose for the twigs, grass, and moss listed in the Materials you will need section? A. to make the birdhouse stronger B. to make the birdhouse look larger C. to make the birdhouse more beautiful D. to make the birdhouse look more natural

13. Comparing: Read this sentence from the article “Birds Do It! RECYCLE!” Yarn is big on an oriole’s shopping list when nest building. What is the author comparing an oriole to in the sentence above? A. a bird that can write B. a bird that collects paper C. a person who lives in a house D. a person who buys things at a store

14. FCAT Math Third grade content categories:

15. FCAT Math Third grade content categories:

16. Sample math items… Applying number properties: Isabella cannot remember the product of 9 X 8. Which of the following is another expression that Isabella could use to find the product of 9 X 8? A. (9 X 5) + (9 X 3) B. (9 X 4) + (9 X 2) C. (9 X 1) + (4 X 2) D. (9 X 2) + (8 X 6)

17. Analyzing a table: Allison is making lemonade for a party. The table below shows the number of lemons she will need to make several pitchers of lemonade. LEMONS NEEDED FOR LEMONADE A. 5 B. 15 C. 45 D. 65 According to the relationship shown in the table, how many lemons will Allison need to make 9 pitchers of lemonade?

18. Composing and decomposing polygons: Kalianoticed a figure like the one shown below in her math book. Which of the shapes could be put together, without overlapping, to make a figure that looks exactly the same as Kalia’s figure?

19. Perimeter: The perimeter of a flower garden is 20 feet, as shown below. If the width of the flower garden is 3 feet, what is its length, x ? A. 17 feet B. 10 feet C. 7 feet D. 6 feet

20. Elapsed time: Trina went to see a play. The clock below shows the time Trina arrived at the theater. If the play started at 8:00, how many minutes did Trina wait at the theater before the play started? A. 45 minutes B. 30 minutes C. 15 minutes D. 5 minutes Alan's mother works part time at an elementary school. She begins work at 7:45 A.M. and leaves work at 11:15 A.M. How long does Alan's mother work every day? A. 3 hours 30 minutes B. 3 hours 20 minutes C. 3 hours 15 minutes D. 2 hours 30 minutes

21. Read all directions, text, and questions carefully. • Eliminate answer choices that are silly or wrong, then you are left with 2 possible choices instead of 4. (think yes, no, or maybe) • Look for key words in the questions to help you: Least to greatest, opposite, similar, before, after… • Go back into the story to find your answers and underline any clues you found. • Write down your math thinking and strategies. This will help you later when you check! • Make sure you bubble in only one answer and your bubbles are filled in correctly. • Check, check, check your work. Check to make sure each question has a bubbled answer and check to make sure your answers are correct. This is very important!!!! Test Taking Strategies We Use at School

22. On the Florida Department of Education’s website you can find a sample reading and math test. Feel free to print this test at home and have your student take the test. The answers are also provided. • How to access sample tests: • Go to http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcat2/fcatitem.asp • You will find other useful information about FCAT at www.fldoe.org. • Look to the right sidebar for more FCAT information. FCAT Practice

23. What you can do at home… • Encourage your child to read often. • Take advantage of real world text: fliers, maps, articles, recipes, charts, etc. are excellent examples of informational text. • Check over daily math homework and talk about it together. • Encourage your child and help to build confidence.

24. What you can do at home… • Use suggested online programs for practice. • FCAT Explorer- www.fcatexplorer.com • Study Island - www.studyisland.com • Destination Success- https://success.duvalschools.org

25. Supporting your child the week of FCAT: • A good night of sleep before each test day • A healthy breakfast each morning • Coming to school on time Students who are tardy will not be allowed to enter the classroom late. They will have to take the test at another time. • Students are encouraged to bring in water for test days. • If your child is sick, please keep them home. If they start the test and need to leave school, they won’t be able to finish it. • Do something fun and non-stressful the night before and try not to focus on the test!

26. Thank you for taking the time to look over this! Please contact your teacher with any additional information you may need.