1. FSA WRITING 2014-2015 Ms. Acevedo and Mrs. Fye

2. NEWS FROM THE DISTRICT Watch this Brainshark with the latest information from the district: http://app.brainshark.com/browardschools/vu?pi=zHKzuOWivz7N4Jz0 http://app.brainshark.com/browardschools/vu?pi=zHKzuOWivz7N4Jz0 All handouts are available in today’s packet

3. WHAT’S THE TAKEAWAY? Increased emphasis on writing in EVERY grade level Assessment for reading and writing will be embedded into ONE score Students cannot get a proficient score if they fail one of the sections The ten point rubric will replace prior rubrics and should be distributed to all students Argumentative and Informative are the primary forms of writing Students need to be able to provide a claim and counter-claim (Argumentative) Students must cite properly (not MLA, but quotations and credit to the author) 90 minute writing assessment includes the reading of 3 or 4 documents, analysis, planning of essay, drafting of essay (typing) and revising and editing of essays

4. BIG CHANGES ON THE FSA READING/WRITING Drag and drop answers into a graphic organizer Multiple selections for answers (2 or 3 possible correct choices to pick together) Synthesizing information from multiple sources (map and article) Open response Part A and Part B Select words or phrases from the paragraph (single and multiple word phrases) which are not separate answer choices, but chosen out of the actual paragraph Summarizing and ordering sentences out of a sample of sentences to mirror the organizational pattern of the passages Drop down grammar boxes Fill in and typing grammar and spelling Multiple step questions Audio components

5. WHAT IS THE PLAN? We have monthly writing assessment packets from the district for all LA classes Reading classes will have writing assessment packets as well, that are different from the LA ones so there is no overlap These writing packets will take an entire class period. This does not mean we are only dedicating one class period per month to writing, but rather, we are trying to build their reading and writing stamina through these monthly assessments. We need to use the online/computer based resources we have more than ever: Study Island, Reading Plus, HMH online—MyWriteSmart & TurnItIn, Townsend Press

6. RESOURCES Keyboarding Skills Practice: http://www.typingweb.com/ Online Writing Practice: FSA Training Tests: http://www.fsassessments.org/