RACE Paragraph Builder Worksheet
Goal Getter Paragraph
Text: "Dedicated to the Goal" by Marty Kaminsky
Name:
Date:
Team
What is a Paragraph?
A paragraph is a team of sentences working together to prove one big idea. It doesn't skip lines between sentences—it flows from start to finish!
Today's Writing Prompt
Carli Lloyd says: "If you have a goal, there will always be challenges, but if you work hard, you can do it." How do her habits prove that hard work helps you overcome tough challenges?
R
Restate
Flip prompt
A
Answer
Name habit
C
Cite Evidence
Quote text
E
Explain
Show proof
Step 1
R + A: Build Your Topic Sentence
Pick 1 habit word to fill in the blank
Habit Bank: practicing for hours mental toughness never giving up
Sentence Frame: Carli Lloyd’s habit of proves that hard work helps athletes overcome challenges to reach their goals.
Step 2
C: State Your Quote Appropriately
Signal Phrase + Quote
Part A: Choose a Lead-In Phrase to Introduce Your Quote (Check 1):
"In the text, the author writes,"
"According to the story,"
Part B: Check (✓) ONE Quote from the Story to Attach:
Quote 1 (Practice Habit):
"She searched the neighborhood for tougher challenges, playing anyone who was willing... for hours."
Quote 2 (Toughness Habit):
"Galanis explains... 'Endurance, mental toughness, and determination are now her strengths.'"
Golden Rule: Never drop a quote alone! Combine your lead-in phrase with quotation marks (" ").
Great planning! Turn to Page 2 to explain your evidence and assemble your paragraph. Page 1 of 2
Putting It All Together
Final Sprint: 10 Minutes
Step 3
E: Explain Your Evidence
Answer: Why does this quote prove hard work?
Choose one sentence starter below and finish the thought:
Starter A: "This shows that Carli Lloyd..."
Starter B: "This means she overcame challenges by..."
Hint words to use: practiced extra hours, refused to quit, pushed through pain, worked with her trainer.
Step 4
Write Your Complete Paragraph
Indent: 2-finger space first!
Write in order: [Sentence 1: R+A], then [Sentence 2: Lead-In + Quote], then [Sentence 3: E]. Don't skip lines!
[Indent here]
Paragraph Referee Checklist
Check each box before handing in!
R+A: Answered prompt
C: Lead-in + quotes (" ")
E: Explained proof
Capitals & Periods (.)
Goal Scored! You just wrote a complete text-evidence paragraph. Page 2 of 2
Goal Getter Intro Slides
6th Grade ELA • 5-Minute Mini-Lesson
Story: "Dedicated to the Goal"
Goal Getter Paragraphs
How to build a winning text-evidence paragraph using the RACE strategy.
Carli Lloyd's Habits • 4 Team Sentences • Big Writing Score
Visual Anatomy
What Does a Paragraph Look Like?
One Team of Sentences
✕
NOT a Paragraph
Broken List
Carli Lloyd worked hard.
She played soccer for hours.
She overcame big challenges.
Sentences are split apart like solo players!
✓
A Real Paragraph!
Team Flow
Indent Carli Lloyd’s habits prove hard work helps athletes beat challenges. The author writes that she "searched for tougher challenges for hours." This shows she refused to quit when things were tough.
Sentences stick together without skipping lines!
Rule 1: Leave a 2-finger indent. • Rule 2: Keep writing sentence after sentence!
Our Secret Playbook
The RACE Strategy
4 Steps to a Complete Answer
R
Restate
Flip the question into a statement.
A
Answer
Name the habit that brought success.
C
Cite
Use a lead-in phrase + quote marks (" ").
E
Explain
Tell how that proof answers the prompt.
R + A = Your First Sentence! • C = Lead-In + Quote! • E = Your Explanation!
CommonLit Challenge
Carli Lloyd's Big Quote
"If you have a goal, there will always be challenges, but if you work hard, you can do it."
— Carli Lloyd, World Cup Champion
Our Writing Question:
How do Carli Lloyd's habits prove that working hard helps you overcome tough challenges?
You don't need to write a whole essay—just one strong 4-sentence paragraph!
Ready, Set, Write!
Your 15-Minute Game Plan
15:00 Timer
1
Step 1: Pick a Habit (R+A)
Fill in the blank: Did she practice for hours or show mental toughness?
2
Step 2: State Your Quote (C)
Use a lead-in: "In the text, the author writes," + your quote!
3
Step 3: Explain It (E)
Use the starter: "This shows that Carli Lloyd..."
4
Step 4: Combine & Score!
Write all sentences together on Page 2 with an indent!
Look at your worksheet: Page 1 is for planning, Page 2 is for your final goal! Let's write!
