1. Writing Night What’s New ?

2. What it WAS…What it IS… FCAT – Florida Writes Assessed Florida Next Generation Sunshine State Standards 4 th, 8 th, and 10 th Graders Prompt about a topic Given 2 pages to write on Expository (explain why or how) or Narrative (story) Prompt 60 minutes 6 Point Rubric February FSA Writing Component Assesses NEW Florida State Standards 4th – 11th Graders Prompt about text Given 3 pages to write on Explanatory/Informational or Opinion Prompt 90 minutes (can take up to 120) 10 Point Rubric March 2 – 13th

3. Overall Task Description Students will read several texts about a single topic. The texts could be informational or literature and cover a wide array of topics. After reading the texts, the students will respond to a writing prompt in which they will provide information on a topic or take a stance to support an opinion or argument. *The texts that the students are asked to pull their evidence from could be a written text (in a variety of formats) or a multi-media piece (audio, illustration, video).

4. While this is primarily a writing test, a grade- appropriate level of reading is required as well.

5. Informative/Explanatory Texts The texts will be connected by a common topic, but they may contain different concepts and ideas. Opinion Texts Texts will present opposing points of view on a topic. Each point of view should be equally represented so that a student can take either side of a position.

6.  Student could be given two to four texts.  All of the texts combined should have the approximate word count below. Minimum Word Count Maximum Word Count 800 1300  The student will be required to include and infuse information from each text and must cite specific evidence from the texts to support their ideas.

7. How Can You Help Your Student At Home? Encourage your child to read as much as possible. Encourage your child to keep a journal at home so they can write about what they have read. When your student is doing an assignment at home (for any subject), use the Conventions Checklist to help them edit their writing. Use the Handwriting Cheat Sheet to help your student practice their handwriting. Practice typing – Even though the FSA is not requiring that students type their response in the Writing assessment this year, they will still need to type their short responses in the Reading portion of the assessment.

8. Typing Websites BBC Dance Mat Typing http://www.bbc.co.uk/guides/z3c6tfr Typing Web Tutor http://www.typingweb.com/tutor/