Let’s be real, teaching students how to write meaningful, evidence-based responses can feel like dragging a boulder uphill. You ask a question about the text, and they respond with… one sentence. Maybe two, if you’re lucky.
And you think to yourself, “We’ve gone over this a million times. Why aren’t they getting it?”
I’ve been there. That’s exactly why I started using the RACES strategy in my own classroom, and later, why I created an entire system of resources built around it.
Let’s break it down together so you can use RACES with confidence (and finally get your students writing responses that actually make sense and use evidence).
Wait… What is RACES Writing?
RACES is an acronym to help students write structured, complete responses to reading comprehension questions. Here’s what it stands for:
- Restate the question
- Answer the question
- Cite evidence from the text
- Explain the evidence
- Summarize or wrap it up
It’s not a new idea, and I definitely didn’t invent it, but I did figure out how to actually make it stick in a way that’s doable and repeatable for kids.
Why the RACES Strategy Works (Especially in Grades 1–5)
RACES gives students a roadmap. It turns vague, open-ended questions into a process they can follow step-by-step. It builds writing stamina, reading comprehension, and confidence, without requiring a whole new curriculum.
Here’s what I love about using RACES with elementary students:
- 🔍 It teaches them to go back into the text and look for evidence
- ✏️ It helps them structure their writing, so they’re not just guessing what to say
- 📣 It gives them sentence starters and routines they can rely on, even when the text is hard
- 📚 It reinforces both reading comprehension and writing in one activity
What About the Kids Who Struggle?
That’s the best part! When taught well, the RACES writing strategy levels the playing field.
I’ve used this strategy with high-achieving third graders and students who below grade level and needed a lot of support. The secret? Scaffolding.
Here’s how I make it work:
- Start with oral responses before writing
- Use sentence stems and model responses every time
- Use the same language and visual cues every time (graphic organizers, posters, bookmarks)
- Practice RACES with short, engaging texts—not long, overwhelming ones
“But My Students Aren’t Ready for This…”
Some teachers worry RACES is too formulaic or too advanced for younger students.
Here’s what I’ll say: It’s not about turning kids into robots… it’s about giving them structure until they’re confident enough to write independently.
I’ve seen second graders go from “IDK” to full, evidence-based paragraphs. I’ve seen fourth graders finally understand what “use text evidence” actually means.
And with the right support, even first graders can begin writing one complete sentence that includes part of the question and an answer using information from the text. That’s the foundation of RACES, and it can absolutely be taught at every level from grades 1–5.
Real Talk: You Don’t Need to Wing It
You don’t have to cobble together random passages or reinvent the wheel every week. That’s why I created an entire line of Write to Understand™ Reading & Writing Resources for Grades 1–5, so you have everything you need to make this a routine part of your classroom.
Here’s What’s Available Now:
- ✅ Grade-Level Bundles (1st–5th Grade): Each includes 30 single-passage RACES reading + writing activities with Lexile-leveled fiction and nonfiction texts, differentiated support, and everything print-and-go. (1st grade has 120 differentiated writing activities!)
- ✅ Paired Passage Sets: 15 paired sets per grade that deepen thinking and compare texts using the RACES structure, something students will need to do on the state test
- ✅ ELA Centers: Hands-on activities like paragraph matching, unscrambling, and revising and editing to build writing fluency and strategic practice into your writing block.
- ✅ Reading Comprehension + Writing Prompts: 40 seasonally themed passages with engaging texts, comprehension questions, and prompts for practicing RACES yearround
- ✅ Student reference materials like bookmarks, sentence stems, posters and student + teacher rubrics: everything you need to build confident readers and writers
How to Introduce RACES in Your Classroom (Step-by-Step)
Want to get started next week? Here’s how I recommend rolling it out:
- Introduce the Acronym
Use an anchor chart or poster, and break down each part with examples. Don’t skip this, kids need the big picture first. - Model, Model, Model
Show your thinking aloud as you write a full response using RACES. Use a document camera or Smartboard. Talk through every step. - Start with Short Passages
Use engaging texts (think sharks, roller coasters, or animal superpowers) that hook your students and make citing evidence feel natural. - Use Sentence Starters + Visuals
Give them tools like bookmarks and checklists they can refer to as they write. These become confidence boosters, not crutches. - Make It a Routine
The magic happens when RACES becomes part of your weekly writing block. One short response a week adds up… fast!
All of these steps are made easy using any of my RACES reading & writing bundles! It’s all completely done for you already!
Still Unsure? Try This First.
Start with just one RACES passage and walk through it together. Use it for a shared writing lesson, or let students complete it in partners. The goal isn’t perfection, it’s progress.
You can grab a free sample of my Write to Understand™ Reading & Writing Resource, including a full teacher modeling script to help you teach your first RACES writing response. This free tool is here to help you get started without overwhelm.
Download your free RACES activity with teacher script at the top of this page!
You’ve Got This.
Teaching reading comprehension and paragraph writing doesn’t have to feel like pulling teeth. With RACES, your students have a repeatable framework they can actually use, and you have one less thing to stress about.
Whether you’re teaching first graders how to write their first sentence with evidence, or helping fifth graders tighten up their responses for state testing, the RACES strategy will grow with your students.
You don’t need to be a writing guru. You just need the right tools, the right approach, and a strategy that works.
And friend… you’ve found it!
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Have questions about this post? Email me! courtney@createinspireteach.com