RACE Response Graphic Organizer R.A.C.E.
Response Graphic Organizer
Evidence-Based Constructive Writing • Grade 5
Name:
Date:
Writing Prompt / Question to Answer:
R Restate the Question (Turn the prompt question into a statement—do not give the answer yet!)
Starters: "In the text, the author reveals that..." • "The character acts this way because..." • "One major event is..."
A Answer All Parts (State your central idea, claim, or solution directly and clearly.)
Starters: "This occurs because..." • "The main message the reader learns is..." • "The primary reason was..."
C Cite Evidence (Copy exact words or specific facts from the text using quotation marks.)
Source / Page #:
Starters: "According to the text, '...'" • "On page __, the author states, '...'" • "For example, the passage says, '...'"
E Explain the Evidence (Explain how and why this quote proves your answer to the prompt.)
Starters: "This evidence demonstrates that..." • "This proves my point because..." • "This shows the reader that..."
Turn over to draft your final paragraph and complete the submission checklist. Page 1 of 2
Step 2
Draft Response & Self-Check Inspection
Name:
Final Score: / 10
Complete RACE Paragraph Response
Combine R + A + C + E using smooth transition words
Student Pre-Submission Self-Checklist
Check off each item before handing in!
R Restated Prompt
I rephrased the question into a complete, clear opening sentence.
A Answered Thoroughly
I answered every part of the question accurately with my own thinking.
C Cited Text Evidence
I used an evidence starter, quotation marks (" "), and noted the page/line.
E Explained Connection
I explained in 1-2 sentences how the quotation proves my answer.
Conventions Check: Capital letters, end punctuation (. ? !), and grade-level spelling checked.
Self-Rating:
★★★★
Ready to turn in! Make sure your evidence quote matches your source text exactly. Page 2 of 2
TIDE Response Graphic Organizer T.I.D.E.
Response Graphic Organizer
Informative & Evidence-Based Writing • Grade 5
Name:
Date:
Writing Prompt / Focus Question:
T Topic Introduction (State your central idea, claim, or main focus sentence clearly.)
Starters: "In the text, the author reveals that..." • "A primary reason for this is..." • "The text clearly demonstrates that..."
I Important Evidence (Provide specific facts, details, or direct quotes from the text.)
Source / Page #:
Starters: "The text directly states, '...'" • "For instance, on page __, the author writes, '...'" • "One key detail is..."
D Detailed Examination (Explain and elaborate: HOW does this evidence prove your main idea?)
Starters: "This detail explains that..." • "This is critical because..." • "In other words, the author is showing that..."
E Ending / Conclusion (Wrap up with a fresh summary sentence or a final thoughtful conclusion.)
Starters: "Ultimately, this evidence proves that..." • "In conclusion, readers can clearly see..." • "As demonstrated,..."
Turn over to draft your final paragraph and complete the submission checklist. Page 1 of 2
Step 2
Draft Response & T.I.D.E. Self-Check
Name:
Final Score: / 10
Complete TIDE Paragraph Response
Combine T + I + D + E using smooth transitions
Student Pre-Submission Self-Checklist
Check off each item before handing in!
T Topic Introduction
I clearly introduced the central topic or main claim in an opening sentence.
I Important Evidence
I included specific details, facts, or a quote from the text with citation.
D Detailed Examination
I explained in depth how the evidence supports and proves the topic.
E Ending / Conclusion
I wrapped up my paragraph with a strong concluding thought.
Conventions Check: Capital letters, end punctuation (. ? !), and grade-level spelling verified.
Self-Rating:
★★★★
Ready to turn in! Read your paragraph out loud to check for flow and clarity. Page 2 of 2
Walk Two Moons RACE Exemplar Student Model
Walk Two Moons RACE Exemplar
Grade 5 Written Response • 5th Grade Student Voice
Level 4 (Strong 5th Grader)
Focus Prompt:
"How did the boy (from chapter 15)'s actions show that he was a complex character? Support your answer with reasons and evidence from the text."
R Restate Turn the question into an opening statement
Check: No "because" yet
5th Grade Response: In chapter 15 of Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, the boy at the river is a complex character because of his actions.
A Answer Explain what makes him complex in kid-friendly words
Check: Shows two sides
5th Grade Response: Even though he seems sketchy and scary at first, he turns out to be brave and caring when he jumps in to save Gram from a snake.
C Cite Evidence Quote from the book with page number
Source: Page 94
5th Grade Response: For example, right after the water moccasin bites Gram, the text says, "The boy fell to his knees, bent over Gram’s leg, and sucked at the wound, spitting the venom into the river" (p. 94).
E Explain Explain why this proves he has two different sides
Check: 2 clear sentences
5th Grade Response: This quote proves that the boy has more than one side to him. Sal was afraid he was going to rob them with his knife, but instead he put his own mouth on poisonous snake venom to help an old woman he didn't even know. That shows he is good on the inside even if he looks rough on the outside.
Turn over to examine the assembled paragraph, color annotations, and rubric analysis. Page 1 of 2
Final Paragraph
Assembled Paragraph & Teacher Feedback
Score: 4 / 4 (Proficient Grade 5)
What a Complete 5th Grade Response Looks Like
R = Restate A = Answer C = Cite E = Explain
In chapter 15 of Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech, the boy at the river is a complex character because of his actions. Even though he seems sketchy and scary at first, he turns out to be brave and caring when he jumps in to save Gram from a snake. For example, right after the water moccasin bites Gram, the text says, "The boy fell to his knees, bent over Gram’s leg, and sucked at the wound, spitting the venom into the river" (p. 94). This quote proves that the boy has more than one side to him. Sal was afraid he was going to rob them with his knife, but instead he put his own mouth on poison to help an old woman he didn't even know. His brave choice shows that someone can look rough on the outside, but still have a good heart on the inside.
Teacher Rubric: Why This Gets 4 Out of 4 Stars
R Restatement Star 1 ★
Walk Two Moons TIDE Exemplar Student Model
Walk Two Moons TIDE Exemplar
Grade 5 Written Response • 5th Grade Student Voice
Level 4 (Strong 5th Grader)
Focus Prompt:
"How did the boy (from chapter 15)'s actions show that he was a complex character? Support your answer with reasons and evidence from the text."
T Topic Introduction Introduce the book, the boy, and your main idea
Check: Clear Topic
5th Grade Response: In chapter 15 of Sharon Creech's novel Walk Two Moons, the boy who helps Sal's family is a complex character with surprising actions.
I Important Evidence Find the most important quote from the story
Source: Page 94
5th Grade Response: When a dangerous water moccasin bites Gram's leg in the river, the text shows his quick reaction: "The boy fell to his knees, bent over Gram’s leg, and sucked at the wound, spitting the venom into the river" (p. 94).
D Detailed Examination Explain why this evidence shows he has two different sides
Check: Contrasts Two Sides
5th Grade Response: This evidence is important because it shows the boy has two completely different sides. At first, Sal thought he was mean and scary because he had a pocketknife and dirty clothes. But when Gram got hurt, he didn't run away or steal anything. Instead, he put his mouth right on snake poison to save an elderly woman he didn't even know.
E Ending / Conclusion Wrap up with the big lesson learned
Check: Final Thought
5th Grade Response: In the end, the boy's actions prove that you can't judge people just by how they look, because someone who seems scary on the outside can still be a true hero.
Turn over to examine the assembled paragraph, color annotations, and rubric analysis. Page 1 of 2
Final Paragraph
Assembled Paragraph & Teacher Feedback
Score: 4 / 4 (Proficient Grade 5)
What a Complete 5th Grade Response Looks Like
T = Topic I = Important Evidence D = Detailed Exam E = Ending
In chapter 15 of Sharon Creech's novel Walk Two Moons , the boy who helps Sal's family is a complex character with surprising actions. When a dangerous water moccasin bites Gram's leg in the river, the text shows his quick reaction: "The boy fell to his knees, bent over Gram’s leg, and sucked at the wound, spitting the venom into the river" (p. 94). This evidence is important because it shows the boy has two completely different sides. At first, Sal thought he was mean and scary because he had a pocketknife and dirty clothes. But when Gram got hurt, he didn't run away or steal anything. Instead, he put his mouth right on snake poison to save an elderly woman he didn't even know. In the end, the boy's actions prove that you can't judge people just by how they look, because someone who seems scary on the outside can still be a true hero.
