RACE Writing Strategy responses are quite easy to grade. Teachers have asked me for tips and example responses. Today I’ll be sharing everything I have learned about grading RACE strategy responses quickly and efficiently!
Don’t know about teaching the RACE Writing Strategy? Read all you need to know about it here!
Tip 1: Use the Checklist
Just like you teach your students to write with the checklist, it is also helpful to grade with the checklist. As you read each response, make a small check mark beside each letter. This gives your students visual feedback about which parts of the assignment they have successfully completed. Additionally, it gives you a quick and easy reference for assigning a score.
Tip 2: Easy Scoring
There are four parts to the RACE Strategy, so scoring a response is easy.
Each step in the RACE strategy=25%, with successful use of all parts of the RACE strategy equaling 100%.
For example: if a student re-states the question, answers it, provides one citation, and explains, that would be 100%. If they did RAC, but did not explain the importance of their quotations, then they will score a 75%.
Tip 3: Answers will Vary
There is almost always more than one way to successfully respond to a question. As long as students are getting the fundamentals of responding in a paragraph and citing the text, consider it a win!
Tip 4: Save and Share Exemplar Responses
I have found that students love to share their responses when they’ve really nailed the assignment. The more your students can see examples of well-written paragraphs, the more they’ll understand how to write one on their own. Take some time to ask for volunteers to share their responses with the class. Praise students for making progress, and model well-written examples.
Tip 5: Feedback for Improvement
While providing scores and checkmarks is essential, offering constructive feedback is equally important for student growth. Take a moment to jot down specific comments about what the student did well and areas where they can improve. Encourage them to focus on enhancing certain aspects of their response, such as providing more in-depth explanations, strengthening their citations, or refining their restatement of the question. Constructive feedback not only guides students towards improvement but also reinforces the importance of continuous learning and refinement of their writing skills.
Consider scheduling brief one-on-one conferences with students to discuss their graded responses, addressing any questions they may have and offering personalized tips for enhancement. This individualized attention can foster a deeper understanding of the RACE Strategy and help students take ownership of their writing progress.
Paired Passages
If you are grading a response to paired passages, the RACE strategy can be modified to RACCE (since students should cite BOTH texts). In this case, each part of the response is worth 20%. If students complete each part, they will score 100%.
The predictable routine of writing using the RACE Strategy is one of the reasons I love it so much. Kids become very familiar with it, and before long, they’re using it on their own without being prompted. I’ve seen some of my most struggling writers find success with this method. With repeated practice, your students will be writing evidence-based passages like pros!
Get resources for teaching the RACE Writing Strategy here!
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