Do Now – day 1 What is RACES, and what is its purpose?

Essential Questions – day 1 (Q1) What is the question to be answered? (Q2) How do I restate the question? (Q3) How do I answer the question?

Exit Ticket – day 1 How did RACES improve your constructed response?

Do Now – day 2 How does RACES help you with your constructed response?

Essential Questions – day 2 (Q1) How did you arrive at your answer? (Q2) Why do you think your answer is correct? (Q3) How do I sum it up?

Exit Ticket – day 2 Would you change the RACES method in any way?

Test Day Sit Down quietly Open your binder Review your study guide No talking

USING THE R.A.C.E. STRATEGY! EARN MAXIMUM POINTS USING THE R.A.C.E. STRATEGY!

"R" in RACE: Restate the Question Restate the question means that you are to repeat the question in your own words and make it part of the answer you provide. Remember to place a comma after “yes” or “no” if they begin your answer.

"R" in RACE: Restate the Question If you were asked, "What color is the sky?", you would not simply answer "blue”. A better answer would be, "The color of the sky is blue.”

"A" in RACE: Answer the Question In order to answer the question, you need to understand what you are being asked, and then make sure you provide the answer to that specific question. The answer may come in the first sentence as you restate the question as a statement.

"C" in RACE: Cite Evidence In a constructed response question you need to show how you arrived at your answer. Cite or mention examples and/or quotes from the passage to show how they support your answer.

"C" in RACE: Cite Evidence If the passage is a story about a boy named Joe who loves to ski, and the question is, "Does Joe like the winter?", you could answer, “Yes, Joe likes the winter because the story tells us he loves skiing which is a winter sport."

"C" in RACE: Cite Evidence In your response you could go on to provide specific details that tell you how much he enjoys skiing, such as quoting a line that says "Joe enjoyed the feel of the icy-cold air on his cheeks.”

"E" in RACE: Explain/EXPAND your Answer In addition to the evidence you've cited from the prompt, you will need to explain, or state your own reasoning for why you think your answer is correct.

"E" in RACE: Explain/EXPAND your Answer In the story about Joe who loved winter, your examples from the text would be the details about how he enjoyed skiing and the cold air.

"E" in RACE: Explain/EXPAND your Answer Your own reasoning would be demonstrated by explaining that you know skiing and cold air are things he is only likely to experience during winter. Therefore, his enjoyment of these things must mean Joe also enjoys the winter season.

HELPFUL R.A.C.E. HINTS write the letters R-A-C-E at the top of your paper. Each time you complete one of the steps of race, cross through the letter. Read your response several times to be sure you have stuck to the answer and did not get off topic.

HELPFUL R.A.C.E. HINTS Use examples and quotes that support the answer. Do not commit plagiarism…it’s against the law!! Never begin an answer with “because”!

Grading Each part of your race constructed response will be evaluated and is worth a certain amount of points.

Grading Scale (4 points) The response demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the relevant content and/or procedure. The student completes all important components of the task accurately and communicates ideas effectively.

Grading Scale (4 points) Where appropriate, the student offers insightful interpretations and/or extensions. Where appropriate, the student chooses more sophisticated reasoning and/or efficient procedures.

Grading Scale (3 points) The response demonstrates understanding of major concepts and/or processes, although less important ideas or details may be overlooked or misunderstood.

Grading Scale (3 points) The student completes the most important aspects of the task accurately and communicates clearly. The student’s logic and reasoning may contain minor flaws.

Grading Scale (2 points) The student completes some parts of the task successfully. The response demonstrates gaps in conceptual understanding.

Grading Scale (1 points) The student completes only a small portion of the task and/or shows minimal understanding of the concepts or processes.

Grading Scale (0 points) The student’s response is totally incorrect, irrelevant, too brief to evaluate, or blank.