FCAT Reading & Math7th Grade

Tips for Success

Paper & pencil Two sessions of 70 minutes each

50-55 questions per session Test Breakout

Vocabulary 15-25%Reading Application 25-35% Literary Analysis 25-35%Informational Text 15-25%

Reading 2.0

Context clues Word structure Word relationships Multiple meanings Phrases Author’s purpose Author’s perspective Author’s bias Main idea Summary Conclusions Details Predictions

What Should 7th Graders Know?

* Cause and effect* Text structure* Patterns* Compare* Contrast* Plot development* Theme* Conflict* Point of view* Descriptive language* Figurative language* Text features

Types of Passages

40 % Literary passages provide entertainment or inspiration and include fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and drama.

60% Informational passages are subject-matter centered. The context of these passages includes everyday life outside of the classroom.

Sample Passage#Words per passage Range 300–1100 Average700

Read this sentence from the passage.

There were storms and seas so big that in the trough of a wave the boat seemed surrounded by mountains of water.

Based on the sentence above, in what way are waves similar to mountains?

A. Both are jagged. B. Both are enormous. C. Both are difficult to climb. D. Both are topped with foam.

Areas to Target-Compare/Contrast

What: identify the similarities and difference between two topics or persons

Ask your child: What is being compared? How are they alike or different? Make connections between what you read,

“That’s just like the other story we read because…”

Areas to Target-Compare/Contrast

“Shackleton’s Epic Voyage”

What caused the trip of the James Caird to be a fierce ordeal?

A. The supplies and food were scarce. B. The ice floes split and the wind dropped. C. The pressure on the hull of the boat was extreme. D. The weather created stormy seas and huge waves.

Areas to Target-Cause/Effect

What: identify a cause and its effect Ask your child:

What happened? Why did it happen? What caused it to happen? What was the result? Make them aware of cause and effect by

applying it to everyday life, “you didn’t clean you room, so now you are grounded.”

Areas to Target-Cause/Effect

“The Earthmovers”

If this article were published in a newspaper, which headline best expresses the main idea?

A. “Oldest Known Earthworks Discovered in Louisiana” B. “Research Uncovers Evidence of New Native American Groups” C. “Jones and Saunders Publish Findings After Four Years of Research” D. “Striking Similarities Found Between Watson Brake and Poverty Point”

Areas to Target-Summarizing

What: to retell the main points of a story in your own words

Ask your child: What happened in the paragraph? Can you tell me in one sentence what

happens? Tip: If your child likes to text, “create a text

message to tell your friend what the paragraph is about”.

Areas to Target-Summarizing

Read to your child Studies show this is the single most important thing parents

can do to help their children succeed Take turns reading aloud

Discuss what is happening in the story and try to predict what might happen next 

Provide a variety of reading materials for your child Check out the public library, bookstores, school book clubs

and book fairs, or shop the Internet Make reading an enjoyable experience

Encourage your child to find a comfortable place to read 

How Can You Help?

Southern Oaks Middle School

7th Grade Math FCAT 2.0 Information2012

Tests students’ mastery of the Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards benchmarks.

Find them at www.floridastandards.org and in

the front of your student’s textbook.

Test Purpose

Reporting Categories: 30% Geometry and Measurement 25% Ratios/Proportional Relationships 25% Number: Base Ten 20% Statistics and Probability

Testing Categories

35-40 Multiple Choice questions Worth 1 point each. Expected to take 1 minutes to solve. 10-15 Gridded Response questions Worth 1 point each. Expected to take 1 ½ minutes to solve. 2 different grids are used. 60-65 questions total

What the Test Includes

Two sessions of 70 minutes each for a total of 140 minutes.

Paper and pencil test. Calculator allowed similar to TI-108 Reference Sheet provided. Small break provided between sessions for

snacks, water, bathroom break. NO GUM.

Math 2.0

Easy 70% or more of students expected to answer correctly. Average40% - 70% of students expected to answer correctly. HardLess than 40% of students expected to answer correctly.

3 Levels of Item Difficulty

Low Cognitive Complexity10% - 20% of questions

Moderate Cognitive Complexity60% - 80% of questions

High Cognitive Complexity10% - 20% of questions

3 Levels of Cognitive Complexity

Level 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 awarded. Level 1 and 2 scores mean student has not

mastered course material and is non-proficient and below grade level.

Level 3 score means student has mastered course material and is proficient at grade level.

Level 4 and 5 scores mean student has mastered course material and is proficient above grade level.

Results

Developmental Scale Scores

Score upper quartile level 3, level 4, or level 5 on 7th grade Math FCAT

ANDScore A, B, or C in both semesters of M/J Math II

ANDScore 80% or higher on district Algebra screening assessment.

Requirements to Study Algebra 1 Honors in 8th Grade

High school credit course. Algebra 1 Honors credit is awarded as follows:

0 credits after 1st semester.1 credit after 2nd semester ONLY IF Florida Algebra 1 EOC exam is passed.

Course grade awarded as follows:35% 3rd 9 weeks, 35% 4th 9 weeks, 30% EOC

For info on High School Math Classes:http://www.stlucie.k12.fl.us/pdf/StudentProgressionPlan.pdf

Algebra 1 Honors

One day within following window: April 16 to April 27, 2012

When Will These Tests Occur?

Before the Test Get plenty of rest the night before Eat a good breakfast before leaving for

school Arrive at school on time on testing days

Testing Strategies

Please do NOT bring electronic devices on

testing days

During Testing Answer every question, even those that are difficult.

There is no penalty for guessing. Read all the answer choices before deciding on the best

answer. Avoid spending too much time on any one item.

This is a timed test. Write on the test to help me think. Check frequently to make sure I am in the right place on my

answer sheet. Getting off by one number can be disastrous!

Take a deep breath or stretch a little bit every now and then to stay alert.

Testing Strategies