FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 From the Florida Department of Education www.fcatexplorer.com Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Program Overview Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Interactive program offers practice on the FCAT- tested benchmarks Reinforces reading comprehension skills Available at no cost to all Florida public schools Accessible from any computer connected to the Internet Leaping Lemurs Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Fidelity with the Official FCAT Strict adherence to the Sunshine State Standards and the DOE’s Test Item & Performance Task Specifications Rigorous item development process Items drafted by reading teachers and professional item writers Items reviewed by instructional designers, testing specialists, bias reviewers, and professional editors The Wind Cars of China Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Input from Exemplary Education Professionals Highly-qualified classroom teachers Recommended for expertise in subject area and grade level National Board Certified Recipients of Teacher of the Year awards Experienced as FCAT Coach and/or Reading Coach Masters Degrees Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks The Galactic Library’s Adaptive Support Model Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Adaptive Support Model INDIVIDUALIZED ADAPTIVE SUPPORT Automatically adjusts readability level and instructional support level based on student’s success with practice questions Materials at both levels derived from 3rd grade benchmarks only difference is readability Scalloping Amazing Spider Webs Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Adaptive Support Model ADAPTIVE READING LEVEL Mapmaking 3rd grade readability level When student struggles at 3rd grade level, program moves to 2nd grade level When student succeeds at 2nd grade level, program seamlessly moves back to 3rd grade Same 3rd grade benchmarks at both levels only difference is readability Rabbit’s Tug-of-War 2nd grade readability level Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Adaptive Support Model ADAPTIVE SUPPORT LEVEL Three levels for both sets of materials Full Support: Word Click: Click to hear any word Embedded questions: Interim comprehension checks Moderate Support: Embedded questions only No Support: Neither Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Passages and Practice Items Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks FCAT-like Practice PASSAGES Same average length and reading level as the FCAT Same genres: poems, plays, articles and stories Engaging illustrations reinforce important ideas Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks FCAT-like Practice PRACTICE ITEMS Rigorous item development process Written by professional item writers Reviewed, edited and approved by teachers Revised as needed based on statistical item analysis Same average number of items per passage as on the FCAT Number of items per skill based on teacher recommendation for struggling readers No fewer than 5 items per skill From 5 to 50 items per Benchmark Same types of items as on the FCAT Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks FCAT-like Practice MULTIPLE CHOICE (MC) Careful review of every item for psychometric criteria Vocabulary question Item clearly supports the skill All answer choices are parallel (e.g., in grammatical form) Only plausible choices One “clearly best” answer Correct answer supported in the text Comprehension question Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Instructional Support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT CORRECT Congratulations! Correct Answer Explanation (CAE) Confirms the attributes that make an answer correct Reinforces effective skill application Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Instructional Support 1ST ATTEMPT INCORRECT Hint Hint (for vocabulary questions) See Clues (for comprehension questions) Takes student back to passage Student reviews highlighted clues See Clues Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Instructional Support 2nd ATTEMPT For CORRECT answer, CAE confirms and reinforces effective skill application For INCORRECT answer, CAE helps student understand why the correct answer is correct Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features FLUENCY LIST Glossary & Vocabulary Exercise words Easy-to-use chart for recording progress Effective pre-reading activity Available from School Administrator’s Desk and Classroom Teacher’s Desk Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features VOCABULARY EXERCISES Syllables appear in dynamic “visual beat” Precede each passage Teach five potentially challenging words If student selects incorrect answer, correct answer flashes Word recognition Phonics Definition Meaning in context Engage students and increase confidence & success Review of all five words Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features “PURPOSE FOR READING” STRATEGIES Purpose for Reading statement Purpose for Reading statements precede each passage to help establish good comprehension habits “See Questions” feature allows students to preview item stems (not answer choices) 3GR means 3rd Grade Reading program 4GR means 4th Grade Reading program The “View Questions” feature is included in all Reading programs except 4th grade Reading. 4GR was the very first program developed. The idea for this feature first emerged during design of the next reading program (8GR), after which it was incorporated into all Reading programs. “View Questions” will probably be added to 4GR in the future. Click “See Questions” icon (magnifying glass) Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features GLOSSARY Student can click the word hundreds to go to that Glossary entry Click linked (blue) words in passage Click “ear icon” to hear word pronounced Word spelled & in syllables Definition & sample sentence Spanish and Haitian Creole translations Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features “SEE CLUES” Reinforces re-reading the passage to find correct answer Student must go to every page containing clues related to that question After going to every page with relevant clues, student gets second attempt Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Special Features MY CHALLENGE LIST Links directly to items answered incorrectly Helps students focus on skill improvement Accessible through the Planet Room—just click the red circles to try a question again! Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Motivational Features Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Motivational Features ANIMATED CHARACTERS Characters accompany students on a mission Students earn animated “pleasure reading” selections by completing items Melville Eureka Captain Frog Hopkins Wordsworth Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Motivational Features VOCABULARY ACTIVITIES Space Stories Four different game-like activities Each activity reviews words from one set of Vocabulary Exercises Word Wall Asteroid Blasteroid Space Words Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Educators’ Tools Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Educators’ Tools Curriculum resources Classroom Teacher’s Desk Skills Location Map Table of Benchmarks and Skills Item Review Letter to Parents School Administrator’s Desk Information management tools Sign-in names and passwords Progress Reports Messages to students District Administrator’s Desk Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Student Performance Reports At the Classroom Teacher’s Desk Check progress on individuals or classes View reading data by Benchmark, Skill, or Passage View math data by Benchmark, Strand, or Theme View Science data by Benchmark or Strand Compare percentage correct before and after instructional support Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks The Parent & Family Guide Accessible from the home page without a password Available in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole Helps parents, guardians, and mentors understand the Sunshine State Standards and the FCAT Provides Everyday Activities to reinforce Benchmarks and Skills Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Visit the Educator Resources Page Linked from the home page Download this PowerPoint presentation Download the School Administrator’s Desk Manual Download the Teacher’s Desk Manual Download other presentations Reading Focus Overview Math Focus Overview Program-specific presentations Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks To get sign-in names & passwords School Principals: Contact your District Office and speak to the “District Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer Teachers: Contact your “School Administrator” for the FCAT Explorer FCAT Explorer Home Page (www.fcatexplorer.com) Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks Toll-Free Help Desk Accessible from the home page without a password 1-888-750-FCAT 1-888-750-3228 Weekdays 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001

FCAT Explorer Middle Schools, Miami, 5/7/02 Galactic Library: 3rd Grade Benchmarks www.fcatexplorer.com Log on to the FCAT Explorer! Infinity Software Development, Inc. and the Florida Department of Education, 2001