Welcome to FCAT Parent Night

January 18, 2012

2011-2012

5th Grade Students

•The Florida Comprehension Assessment Test (FCAT) is part of Florida’s overall plan to increase student achievement by implementing higher standards for public school students. The FCAT has four sections: reading, writing, science and math.

What is the FCAT?

•All public school students in grades 3-10 are required to take the FCAT. The tests are administered only in public schools.

Who takes the FCAT?

•The FCAT is given to measure achievement of the Sunshine State Standards that are being taught and learned by Florida students.

Why do students take the FCAT?

APRIL 2012Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday

16FCAT

17FCAT

18FCAT

19FCAT

20FCAT

23FCAT

24FCAT

25FCAT

26FCAT

27FCAT

•Read with them every night.•Ask your child about what he or she is reading (characters, setting, problem, resolution).•Use task cards (attached) to monitor comprehension.

What can you do to help your child in reading?

How Are We Helping Your Child

• Tutoring• In class Intervention• Pull-out Programs• Technology Programs

Reading FCAT

How will Reading be assessed?

FCAT Reading items on the test50% Literary Text

50% Informational Text

Answers may be Multiple Choice

Types of Literary Texts• Short stories• Poetry• Historical fiction• Fables• Folk tales, tall tales• Legends• Myths• Fantasy• Drama• Excerpts from longer worksNonficition• Biographical/

Autobiographical stretches• Diaries, memoirs, journals,

letters• Essays (personal and

classical narratives)• critiques

Types of Informational Texts

Primary Sources/Nonfiction• Historical documents (e.g. Bill of

Rights)• Essays (e.g. Informational,

Persuasive, Analytical, Historical, Scientific)

• Letters, Journals, Diaries

Secondary Sources/Nonfiction• Magazine articles• Newspaper articles• Editorials• Encyclopedia articles

Functional Materials• Consumer documents (e.g.

Warranties, manuals, contracts, and applications)

• Embedded in text (e.g.tables, charts, maps, graphs, illustrations, photographs, captions, text boxes)

• How-to articles• Brochures, flyers• Schedules• Website pages

•www.fcatexplorer.comThis website offers games with objectives that correlate with the FCAT tests, as well as practice test. (Students need the passwords received to log in).•http://fcat.fldoe.org This website provides general information on the FCAT in both English and Spanish.•http://fcat.fldoe.org/fcatrelease.asp•FCAT released test and answer key that can be used for practice•www.tickettoread.com•This website allows students to practice reading comprehension by reading short passages and answering questions. (Students have login and password to get in)•www.readingplus.com•This website allows students to practice reading skills through guided reading and vocabulary extension activities. •www.kidbiz3000.com•This website allows students to practice reading strategies through multiple choice, short response, and engaging activities.

Great Websites

•Spectrum – 5th grade•Show What You Know – on the 5th grade FCAT

(these books can be purchased at Barnes and Nobles, Amazon, or Borders)

Great Books

What can you do to help your child in Reading?

• Use task cards given at the beginning of the year to assess comprehension on any type of reading your child does.

• Make sure your child is reading 30 minutes as required for class.

• Have your child visit the websites provided on the website list.

Math FCAT

•5th grade will be multiple choice (35-40), gridded

response (10-15),

How will math be assessed?

•Number Sense, Concepts and

Operations•Measurement

•Geometry and Spatial Sense

•Algebraic Thinking•Data Analysis and

Probability

What will be assessed?

•Review math homework every night.•Help students relate

math to every day situations.

•Use task cards (previously given) to

create math problems and practice

What can you do to help your child in Math?

•www.aplusmath.com•www.funbrain.com•www.fcatexplorer.com•www.thinkcentral.com

Websites to help your child in math?

Science FCAT

•5th graders will be

assessed in Science.

Who will take the Science FCAT?

•5th grade will be multiple choice

ONLY!!!•5th graders will

have approximately 60 minutes per test.

How will Science be assessed?

•The Nature of Matter•Energy•Force and Motion•Process that shape the Earth•Earth and Space•Processes of Life•How living things interact with the environment•Nature of Science

What will be assessed?

•Read and discuss science book or any other science related reading materials.•Encourage your child to investigate different science questions (experiments). •Help child make a correlation between the real world and what they are learning in science.

What can you do to help your child in Science?

•Review science vocabulary.•Scientist of the Month Projects•Allow child to participate in field-trips

What else can you do to help your child in Science?

•www.funology.com•www.brainpop.com•www.kidbiz3000.com•www.pearsonsuccessnet.com

Websites to help your child in Science?