| Dear Parents, below you will find helpful information I've put together to
help you and your child prepare for the FCAT.
IMPORTANT DATES. MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
FCAT DATES:
Reading SSS: Monday, March
Reading SSS: Tuesday, March
Math SSS: Wednesday, March
Reading NRT: Tuesday, March
Math NRT: Wednesday, March
FCAT Myths vs. Facts
The following are the Florida Sunshine State Standards Benchmarks that your
child will be tested on. We are currently working on each strategy in our
classroom.
READING: This section of the FCAT focuses on four areas: Words & Phrases in
Context, Main Idea, Plot & Purpose, Comparisons & Cause/Effect, Reference &
Research.
Click here for more information on each benchmark.
Words & Phrases in Context Main Idea, Plot & Purpose Comparisons & Cause &
Effect Reference & Research
meaning of words in context
word analysis main idea
supporting details
chronological order
authors purpose in a simple text plot
development & conflict resolution use of comparison & contrast
cause & effect relationships
similarities & differences among characters, settings, events
organization & interpretation of information
http://www.fcatexplorer.com/parent/3gr/en/grade_standards.asp
Benchmarks:
L.A.A.1.2.3
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's vocabulary, as it relates to
finding the meaning of unknown words and understanding word relationships.
Benchmark: The student uses simple strategies to determine meaning and
increase vocabulary for reading, including the use of prefixes, suffixes,
root words, multiple meanings, antonyms, synonyms, and word relationships.
L.A.A. 2.2.1
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to understand the
main idea and the details that support that idea. In addition, the benchmark
includes the student's ability to understand the order of events in a text.
Benchmark: The student reads text and determines the main idea or essential
message, identifies relevant supporting details and facts, and arranges
events in chronological order.
L.A.A. 2.2.2
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to understand why an
author writes a text (for example, to inform, to tell a story, to explain).
Benchmark: The student identifies the author's purpose in a simple text.
L.A.A. 2.2.7
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to recognize when an
author compares or contrasts things in a text. The benchmark expects that
students will be able to recognize differences or similarities and explain
how things are different or similar.
Benchmark: The student recognizes the use of comparison and contrast in a
text.
L.A.A. 2.2.8
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to find information
in a text for a variety of purposes. The student might be asked to locate
information in the text, a map, chart, or photo, or gather information for a
research project.
Benchmark: The student selects and uses a variety of appropriate reference
materials, including multiple presentations of information such as maps,
charts, and photos, to gather information for research projects.
L.A.E. 1.2.2
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to understand how a
story line unfolds or develops in a narrative. This benchmark also focuses on
the student's ability to understand how conflicts in the story are resolved.
In addition, the student may be asked to make inferences (informed guesses)
or draw conclusions about a story.
Benchmark: The student understands the development of plot and how conflicts
are resolved.
L.A.E. 1.2.3
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to find similarities
and differences between the characters, settings, and events of a story. The
student may be asked to recognize when a character changes (or stays the
same) over the course of a story.
Benchmark: The student knows the similarities and differences among the
characters, settings, and events presented in various texts.
L.A.E. 2.2.1
Summary: This benchmark focuses on the student's ability to see cause and
effect relationships in stories and articles. Students may be asked to find
causes or effects in fiction (stories), non-fiction (essays), poetry, or
plays.
Benchmark: The student recognizes cause-and-effect relationships in literary
texts.
MATH: This section of the FCAT covers five content areas: Number Sense,
Measurement, Geometry, Algebra, Data Analysis.
Number Sense Measurement Geometry Algebra Data Analysis
identifies +, , x, χ & knows what they do
determines estimates
knows how numbers are represented & used
recognizes measurements & units of measure
compares, contrasts, & converts measurements describes, draws,
identifies, & analyzes two- & three-dimensional shapes
visualizes and illustrates changes in shape
uses coordinate geometry describes, analyzes, & generalizes patterns,
relations, & functions
writes and uses expressions, equations, inequalities, graphs, & formulas
organizes, interprets, & analyzes data
identifies patterns & makes predictions, inferences, & valid conclusions
uses probability & statistics
Additional FCAT Information:
FCAT WRITING+: The FCAT writing assessment at Grades 4, 8, and 10 has been
expanded to include multiple-choice questions. To reflect this addition, the
new writing assessment is called FCAT Writing+. The essay component, which
requires students to write a response to an assigned topic, is unchanged.
Students in Grades 4, 8, and 10 will participate in a field test which is
comprised of multiple-choice questions. Students will not receive scores for
the field test portion of FCAT Writing+. Each student will receive a score
for the essay portion.
The following are the two forms of writing prompts the students will have to
be prepared to respond to. The students will have 45 minutes to read the
prompt and decide if it is a Narrative or Expository prompt, plan
(brainstorm), and respond. The student will be scored on Focus, Organization,
Support, and Convections.
FOCUS
ORGANIZATION
SUPPORT
CONVECTIONS
Demonstrates a main idea or theme & stays on topic. Follows a plan that
includes an introduction, effective transitional devices, and a conclusion.
Includes use of specific details & precise word choice to explain, clarify,
or define meaning. Demonstrates knowledge of the basic skills of punctuation,
capitalization, spelling, usage, & sentence structure.
FCAT Writing Rubric
Narrative: Asks the student to write a story.
Example: Everyone has done something special that he or she will remember.
Think about a time you did something special that you will always remember.
Now write a story about a time you did something special that you will always
remember.
Expository: Asks the student to explain something or give reasons why.
Example: Weekends are great. Explain what you like to do on weekends and why?
The following are helpful websites:
http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/aboutfcat/english/
http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/aboutfcat/spanish/
http://www.firn.edu/doe/sas/fcat/fcatit02.htm
Fact Monster
FCAT Explorer
About the FCAT
Facing the FCAT
FCAT Sample Tests
FCAT Reports
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