Constructed Response

Answering open-ended response questions is an important task in seventh grade. Do this using the R.A.C.E.R. strategy. Start off by Restating the question, Answering the question (and explain or clarify if needed), Citing examples from the text, Elaborate how the evidence from the text supports your answer, and finally Recap your idea and or make a personal connection to the question.

R.A.C.E.R. Strategy for answering Questions about Reading

RESTATE the question.

      Reread and restate the question in your topic sentence. 

ANSWER the question that is being asked.

      Use your answer to write your topic sentence. 

      Clarifying or explaining may be needed in certain situations.

CITE evidence from the text.

      Use examples and evidence from the text to support your answer.

ELABORATE your answer.

      Elaborate how the EVIDENCE from the text supports your answer. For example, you may use the sentence starter “These quotes show that…” or “This supports the statement…” 

RECAP your message.

      Sum up your idea to keep it fresh in the reader's mind. Or, provide a personal connection that resonates with the reader.

Scoring Rubric

V - Student work supports the question clearly and concisely including stating, explaining, and supporting as well as elaboration that supports and extends plus connects back to the prompt.

IV - ​Student work supports the question clearly and concisely including elaboration that supports and extends.

III - Student work supports the question clearly and concisely including elaboration that supports.

II - Student work supports some of the question. Attempt at support may be present.

I - Student work is insufficient to answer the question.

NS - Student work is not acceptable.

Examples

Focusing Question: What are human rights, and why do they matter?

​[RESTATE] Human rights are the rights that every person in the world is entitled to enjoy.  [ANSWER] These rights matter because when someone doesn’t have these human rights, that person’s life is unbearably hard. When someone does have these rights, then that individual can thrive. [CITE] For example, Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 3 states that everyone has a right to “security of person.”  This means a right to feel safe, and this is the building block to a successful life.  Unfortunately, there are many countries where war is raging. 

[ELABORATE] For example, in the 1990s, 6 million children were wounded in war. As a result, children in these countries had no hope for security and consequently, they couldn’t enjoy school and grow and thrive.  But thankfully, there is hope.  For example, in Sierra Leone, where once there was civil war, now there is peace.  [RECAP] This means that children, like Isa from A Life Like Mine: How Children Live Around the World, can plant a garden without worrying about it getting bombed like the garden my dad and I grow.  He can practice playing soccer without worrying about his safety like my mom and I do in the backyard. This means that he can live a secure and happy life.  He, and children like me, can live like a child, not like a victim of war. It doesn’t matter where you were born, you should have certain rights and each of us has the obligation to make sure these rights are enjoyed by all.

Example Prompt for a constructed response from a provided reading passage.

Passage: INCA CREATION MYTH

In the beginning, Pachacamac the sun rose slowly from Lake Titicaca. Pachacamac was so bright that nothing else could be seen in the sky but him. But the night sky was empty; so he made the stars, the planets and the moon. The beautiful moon, Pachamama, became his wife and together they ruled the heavens and the earth. Pachacamac fashioned the first humans from the stone of an enormous mountain of rock. The first humans were pitiful creatures; they knew nothing of the world nor how to survive in it. The sun and the moon bore a son and a daughter. Out of pity they sent their children to the earth to help them. The son of Pachacamac taught men how to plow and plant the fields, and how to build houses. The daughter of the moon approached the women and taught them the art of weaving, and how to prepare food. “Teach the humans to be kind and fair. I will provide light and warmth, every day without fail; but make sure they never forget their creators.”                 

Question: Describe two values (citing examples from the text) that we can learn about the Incas from this creation myth.

Please color-code your sentences: State in green, explain in yellow, and support/elaborate/connect in red.

Example Response:

[RESTATE] Two values that we can learn about the Incas from this creation myth are to be independent and kind.  [ANSWER] Being independent means to be able to do things for your self. Being kind means being able to help others in need.  [CITE]  The text states, “the son of Pachacamac taught men how to plow and plant the fields, and how to build houses. “  This means the Inca were taught to be self sufficient and independent. Before this, humans did not know how to survive in the world.  The text also states, “The daughter of the moon approached the women and taught them the art of weaving, and how to prepare food. “ This means the Inca women were also able to be independent and needed in society. Finally, the text states, ““Teach the humans to be kind and fair. I will provide light and warmth…” which means the sun god would be there for the Inca provided they were there for each other by being kind and fair. 

[ELABORATE] Since the Inca knew how to grow their own food and make their own clothes, they could take care of themselves like I can take care of myself and cook dinner when mom has to work late. I can be kind and surprise mom with dinner too. [RECAP] The Inca taking care of themselves by growing their own food and making their own clothing is an example of a value of the Incas that can be learned from the creation myth.