FCAT for Families Working Together Helping your child achieve better scores on the FCAT! 1

FCAT What is the FCAT 2.0? FCAT=Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test The FCAT is a test given to Florida students to determine what they know and can do in reading, math, writing, and science. The FCAT was developed by the state of Florida and first administered in

FCAT When do students take the FCAT? GradeReadingMath Testing Window 4/15-4/164/17-4/18 4thFCAT 3

FCAT Types of Text and How You Can Help Literary Texts-Fiction: read short stories; poetry; historical fiction; fables. Nonfiction: biographies; diaries; journals; letters; essays. Informational Texts- historical documents; letters; diaries; magazine and newspaper articles; editorials. Functional Materials: warranty manuals; contracts; applications; tables; charts; graphs; fliers; schedules. 4

Benchmarks Main Idea/Details Author’s Purpose Compare/Contrast Plot/Conflict/Resolution Cause/Effect Vocabulary Sequencing (Chronological Order) Reference and Research 5

Questioning Lower Complexity: recall, observe or represent basic facts. (right there) Moderate Complexity: involves two steps: comprehension and subsequent processing of text. (MI/cause & effect) Higher Complexity: abstract reasoning, planning, analysis, synthesis, judgment & creative thinking. (author’s purpose) Three kinds of questions: 6

Item 36 Context Clues The sample item below is based on “Across the Blue Mountains” on page G–8. Read this sentence from the passage. Miss Bilberry was so tired that she slept all afternoon in her hammock, which she strung between two swaying palms, exactly as before. What does the word strung mean in the sentence above? A. She hung the hammock up. B. She sat in the hammock and rocked. C. She made the hammock out of rope. D. She lay down on the hammock and rested.

Sample Item 42 Multiple Meanings The sample item below is based on “Learning to Sing” on page G–11. Read this sentence from the article. Talented singers have the power to affect us in many ways—emotionally, physically, and mentally. Which sentence uses the word power the SAME way it is used in the sentence above? A. My teddy bear has the power to comfort me. B. Our government has the power to make laws. C. Our lights blinked off when our block lost power. D. My friend did not have the power to finish the race.

Sample Item 66 Descriptive Language The sample item below is based on “Across the Blue Mountains” on page G–8. Read this sentence from the passage. He liked their quiet life in the pale yellow house with its broad-leaved tree, its two swaying palms, and its cool veranda. What mood does the author create by using the words swaying palms? A. grateful B. peaceful C. sad D. weary

READING Support your child’s reading interest by providing a variety of reading materials. Support your child’s reading level by helping her choose books that are appropriate for her level. Have family reading time where everyone reads. Read together and individually. Use sticky notes and sticky flags to write or mark interesting or difficult words or concepts in the text to talk about later. 10

Before the Test Make sure your child: Arrives at school on time. Gets a good night’s sleep. Eats a healthy breakfast. Knows you care! Make sure you: Encourage your child. Keep a positive attitude. Talk and listen to your child. Provide time for relaxation and exercise. Review test taking strategies with your child. 11

WINNING AT HOME Start by making learning a priority. Show interest in school work. Support 100% attendance. Look for everyday opportunities to have frequent conversations and listen attentively. Ask higher order questions at every opportunity. READ, READ, READ!!! Make it FUN! FUN! FUN!! 12