1. Welcome to FCAT Night: Our goal this evening is as follows: To provide essential information to help parents understand Florida Writes and its expectations. To share ideas and skills with parents so they can help at home.

2. What is the Florida Writes? It is a standardized writing assessment where each student is given a 45 minute prompt to read, plan, and write the draft. A separate sheet is provided for planning and prewriting. Fourth grade students respond to a prompt asking them to explain (expository writing) or tell a story (narrative writing).

3. Need to have Score Points in Rubric Focus Organization Support Conventions 6 5 4 Need to pass 3 2 1 Unscramble How will my child be graded?

4. How Can I Help? Know the difference between an expository and narrative. (will be presented) Know the 6 Traits of writing and develop each trait. (will be presented) Encourage your child to use the list with great words and figurative language. Read great writings “together” Practice weekly timed tests.

5. Narrative and Expository Writing Prompts: To Explain or Not to Explain…That is the Question

6. Expository writing is writing to explain how, what, or why.

7. FCAT Expository Prompt from 2009 Think about and explain why it is important to follow rules.

8. Narrative writing tells a story.

9. FCAT Narrative Prompt from 2009 Write about a time you had the day off from school.

10. Narrative Expository Beginning, Middle, End Story with characters, setting and plot Captures one moment in time Uses transitional phrases such as: in the blink of an eye, all of a sudden, without warning Introduction, body, conclusion Explain how, what or why Focuses on main idea with details Uses transitional phrases such as: for example, for instance, in fact Ideas Organization Voice Word Choice Sentence Fluency Conventions

11. Ideas Ideas make up the content of the piece of writing (The heart of the message) Select an idea on one main topic Narrow the focus of the idea Elaborate on the main idea with plenty of information and details. Describe important information to best convey the main idea. Include fresh, original idea, and perspectives.

12. Organization Organization is the internal structure of the piece, the logical pattern of the ideas. Begin your writing with an interesting grabber (SID) Provide thoughtful transitions that link key points and ideas. Follow a logical sequence in your writing that is both purposeful and effective. End your writing with a conclusion that wraps it up, but leaves the reader something to think about. (FLAME)

13. Word Choice Word choice is the use of rich, colorful, precise language that moves and enlighten the reader. Provide strong vocabulary Avoid dead verbs such as said, went, got, etc. Use figurative language like similes, metaphors, idioms, anadiplosis, alliteration, personifications. Help the reader “see” the topic with juicy colors and adjectives. Choose words that clarify and expand ideas.

14. Voice Voice is the soul of the piece. In other words, it is your personality. Express your own thoughts, point of view, and feelings clearly. Use dialogue and conversation Use onomatopoeia (sounds) Plop, crash, boom!

15. Sentence Fluency Sentence fluency is the flow of the language, the sound of word pattern-the way the writing plays to the ear-not just to the eye. When you revise you use your ears to hear how it sounds. It is important to read your writing so you can hear how it sounds Use variety of sentences and vary the length and structure of your sentences. Begin your sentences in different ways.

16. Conventions Conventions is using proper language correctly. Grammar Punctuation Spelling Capitalization Each paragraph following one idea of thought with details to support it. Making sure that the entire piece is easy to follow and supports the main topic.

17. Ways to Help at Home… Have your child write weekly timed prompts to get the hang of it. Read, read, read. The more you read, the more ideas you have. Build vocabulary to implement in your writing. Revise, revise, revise by circling verbs and replacing weak verbs with stronger verbs. Underline nouns and see if an adjective can be added or replace them into proper nouns. Visit the websites listed on the next page.

18. Resources http://fcat.fldoe.org/pdf/FL06_Writes_G4_final_tagged.pdf http://fcat.fldoe.org/pdf/FL07_Writes_G4.pdf http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsSanche z/hf3.aspx http://teacherweb.com/FL/SunsetLakesElementary/MrsSanche z/hf3.aspx http://math-and-reading-help-for- kids.org/fcat_writing_test.html http://math-and-reading-help-for- kids.org/fcat_writing_test.html http://www.writingfix.com/# www.readwritethink.com Click on “Parent and After School Resources” www.readwritethink.com www.greatsource.com/iwrite www.jerrypallotta.com Click on “Fun and Games” www.jerrypallotta.com