1. Strategy and Presentation Developed by
Answering CRQ’s
Using R.I.C.E.
Strategy and Presentation Developed by
Phyllis Benoit

2. Constructed Response Questions
What are CRQ's?
Constructed Response Questions
Open-ended, short answer questions
Require students to analyze and respond to a “document”

3. What is R.I.C.E.?
R.I.C.E. is a writing strategy developed to equip students with a practical tool they can use to answer CRQ’s across the curriculum.

4. Why is it important to have a strategy to answer CRQ’s?
Students in grades 4-11 must be tested as part of the state accountability program.
LEAP 21 (grades 4, 8)
iLEAP (grades 5, 7, 9)
GEE 21 (grades 10, 11)
Students must read and respond to CRQ’s at EVERY grade level in ELA, Science, and Social Studies.

5. Answering Constructed Response Questions Using R.I.C.E.
Constructed Response Questions are open-ended, short answer items which require you to analyze and respond to a “document” such as a reading passage, poem, short story, political cartoon, graph, map, chart, timeline, photo, painting or official document such as the Constitution.

6. R.I.C.E. (and gr__________)
_______________________________________
I = ________ = _________________________
C = ________ = _________________________
E = ________ = _________________________

7. R.I.C.E. R= restate I = interpret C = connect
E = explain (extend, extra)

8. R.I.C.E. R=restate=turn the question into a statement
I =interpret=figure out what the question is
asking and give an answer.
C =connect=back up your answer with a fact
from your document*; “because”
E = explain= extend your answer with extra
information from your document*;
must be relevant; “In fact,”
DOCUMENT=whatever resource you are using including things like a reading passage, poem, a political cartoon, a chart, map, graph, timeline, photo, painting, etc.

9. We will learn the procedure for answering constructed response questions and then practice it. That way, you will become very proficient at answering these questions correctly.
Before we get into the specific strategy for answering CRQ’s using R.I.C.E., here are a few general pointers to keep in mind.

10. Write as neatly as possible
Spell as accurately as possible
Never begin with because, yes or no, true or false and NEVER use cause or cuz in place of because.
Always go back to re-read your answer to see if it makes sense and to check for capital letters, end marks, a complete sentence, correct spelling, etc.

11. RICE PRACTICE (start simple, stressing the components of the strategy)
Example 1: What day is it?
R (restate)
It is
I (interpret and answer)
Monday
C (connect--because)
because yesterday was Sunday.
E (explain, extend, extra)
In fact, it is the beginning of another week.
It is Monday because yesterday was Sunday. In fact, it is the beginning of another week.

12. More RICE Practice Example 2: What is the major religion in India?
Religions in India 3% 1% 2%
11%
83%

13. A R.I.C.E. ANSWER……..
The major religion in India is Hindu because 83% of Indians practice that faith. In fact, all other religions combined only comprise 17% of the total population.

14. Now, let’s “R.I.C.E.” it!
The major religion in India is Hindu because 83% of Indians practice that faith. In fact, all other religions combined only comprise 17% of the total population. R I C E

15. Now let’s answer a CRQ connected to literature…
Example 3:
What would be a good theme for “The Most Dangerous Game?”

16. A good theme for “The Most Dangerous Game” is never judge a book by its cover because that is the lesson Rainsford learned in this story. Although he initially accepted Zaroff as kind and civilized, he quickly learned his evil ways. Luckily, Rainsford defeated Zaroff at his own “game” and managed to survive. R I C E

17. Score Description ______
4 The student’s response demonstrates in-depth understanding of the
relevant content and/or procedures. The student completes all important components of the task accurately and communicates ideas
effectively.
Where appropriate, the student offers insightful interpretations
and/or extensions. Where appropriate, the student uses sophisticated reasoning and/or efficient procedures.
3 The student completes most important aspects of the task accurately
and communicates clearly. The student’s response demonstrates an understanding of major concepts and/or processes, although less important ideas or details may be overlooked or misunderstood.
The student’s logic and reasoning may contain minor flaws.
2 The student completes some parts of the task successfully.
The student’s response demonstrates gaps in conceptual
understanding.
1 The student completes only a small portion of the task and/or shows
minimal understanding of the concepts and/or processes.
0 The student’s response is incorrect, irrelevant, too brief to evaluate, or
blank.