RACES Writing

Throughout the year, students learn to write clear, organized, and evidence-based responses using the RACES strategy. This writing framework teaches students to Restate the question, Answer the question, Cite evidence from the text, Explain how the evidence supports their answer, and Summarize their thinking.

RACES responses help students strengthen both their reading comprehension and writing skills by encouraging them to think critically, support their ideas with textual evidence, and communicate their understanding in complete, well-organized paragraphs. This strategy is used across multiple subject areas, including reading, science, and social studies.

Lucky Calkins Writing

Our writing instruction is based on the Lucy Calkins Writing Workshop model, which encourages students to develop their skills as confident, independent writers. Through mini-lessons, independent writing time, and individual teacher conferences, students learn how to plan, draft, revise, edit, and publish their writing.

Throughout third grade, students will complete three major writing units: Opinion, Narrative, and Informational writing. In each unit, students learn how to organize their ideas, write with purpose, use descriptive details, and apply grammar and writing conventions. As the year progresses, they build stamina, strengthen their writing voice, and develop the skills needed to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively.