1. Welcome to FCAT Parent Night! Agenda
When is FCAT?
FCAT Reading
Florida Writes
FCAT Math
What can I do to help?

2. When are the 4th Grade FCAT Testing Dates?
FCAT Writing
February 26
FCAT Reading and Math
Begins week of April 15 – April 19
Parents: Please have students here on time and well rested after enjoying a nutritious breakfast! We want them to do their best!

3. FCAT Reading Assessment
The Fourth grade FCAT reading test is a multiple choice exam that covers all skills associated with reading.
We provide daily FCAT reading practice to our students.
During our reading block students read and respond to a variety of reading passages with many being written in FCAT style.
Students will be assessed based on each of these content categories: vocabulary, reading application, literary analysis (fiction/nonfiction), informational text/research process.

4. Steps to Prepare for FCAT Reading
Read with your child 20 minutes daily with a book, newspaper, or magazine.
Trade off reading paragraphs aloud, sounding out words correctly, and discussing word meanings.
Discuss story elements: who were the characters, what was the setting, was there a solution to the stories problem?

5. What is the FCAT Writing Assessment?
During the FCAT writing assessment students must write an essay to be completed within a designated sixty minute time period. Students are expected to respond to a prompt in an organized, developed format using standard language, but the response is not expected to be a final polished essay.

6. Fourth Grade Writing Student Expectations
Focus on the Prompt
Use an Organizational Pattern
Support Ideas with Details
Use Appropriate Conventions (correct grammar, proper Capitalization, Spelling, and Punctuation
Use Colorful Language
Hold the Audience’s Attention

7. What else is a Writing Prompt?
Given an Expository writing prompt a student will be asked to EXPLAIN given a why, how, or, what question about the prompt.
Given a Narrative writing prompt students will be asked to TELL or WRITE a STORY given a writing situation.

8. What is Expository Writing?
Must include reasons supported by details and examples
Usually 5 paragraphs:
Introduction tells the reader what topic they are explaining and simply tells the reader two or three reasons why they chose that topic.
The next three paragraphs focuses on those reasons ( a paragraph per reason). This is where students need to provide details and examples supporting their reasons.
The final paragraph restates what they chose and the reasons behind their choice and a concluding sentence.

9. What is Narrative Writing?
Tells a story
Must have a Beginning, Middle, and End
Usually 5 paragraphs:
The beginning is to the point using an engaging beginning to “hook” the reader.
The middle is where the plot is developed and most action occurs. This is where students should use details to create visual imagery in the reader’s mind.
The end simply wraps up the story.
A good narrative should have a problem and solution and not leave the reader with any questions.

10. Important Additions to a Well Written Essay
Descriptive Words
ENORMOUS instead of big
DREADFUL instead of bad
FANTASTIC instead of good
Similes
As green as grass
As quiet as a mouse
Sharp as a razor
Transition Words
To begin with, In addition, Finally, To wrap up

11. How are the Assessments Graded?
You child’s essay will be graded using a RUBRIC and HOLISTIC SCORING on a scale of 1-6.
A score of 4 out of 6 is considered proficient.

12. Conventions
Punctuation, Capitalization, Spelling, and Sentence Structure.
Low Score – Frequent or blatant errors
High Score – Follows basic conventions of punctuation, capitalization, spelling, and sentence structure

13. Steps to Helping your Child Prepare for FCAT Writing
1. Please read over the handout, “Ways to Help Your Child Prepare for the Florida Writes.” This handout can be found in our school’s virtual online book bag.
2. With your child, read and discuss their timed writing and check for completion\.
3. Encourage your child to include any missed writing elements in their NEXT timed writing.

14. FCAT Math Assessment
The Fourth grade FCAT math test is a multiple choice exam that covers all aspects of math from addition to algebra.
We provide daily FCAT math practice to our students everyday through our daily “Problem of the Day” and our rigorous math curriculum.
Students also receive computer reinforcement of math skills during the week using Study Island.
Students will be assessed in the skill areas of addition, subtraction, rounding, telling time, area, multiplication, geometry, measurement, reading graphs, division, probability, percents, translations, angles, fractions, and decimals.
Gridded responses are included on the math test this year.

15. Steps to Prepare for FCAT Math
Provide assistance and practice flash cards using multiplication.
Supervise/Tutor your child with their daily math homework.
Ask your child to log-in to Study Island on your home computer.

16. We Want CALM Students!
As a parent you are in the greatest position to prepare your child to succeed in FCAT testing.
During the weeks of testing please try to calm, encourage, and reassure your child. Tell them that they are great! Also, that they will do great on the TEST!

17. What Resource Can We Use to Help?

18. Thank You For Being Here!