Students will get one mission for each letter of the RACES acronym. All five missions include an engaging informational text that students must read and complete correctly, before passing to the next.

Missions include 

• Mission One: Re-state the question
• Mission Two: Answer all parts of the question(s)/prompt
• Mission Three: Cite the text to provide evidence
• Mission Four: Explain your citation
• Mission Five: Summarize your main ideas

When detectives in training (your students!) successfully complete and pass all missions, they are awarded with the official Text Detective status.  All text detectives get sworn in by the head of the department, their name and picture (with me!) gets posted on the “Meet the Text Detective” bulletin board. Families are notified of the official news, they are sworn in, and receive their official badge.

This resource is interactive, creative, and perfect for teaching:

• RACES writing strategy
• Constructed reading response
• Well-written paragraphs
• Short response for state testing
• Well-written essays
• Test prep

Excellent for RACES strategy practice and teaching and practicing short constructed responses!

Resource includes:

1. Detailed, step-by-step directions for how to transform your classroom into a Detective Agency
2. Pictures showing this resource in action inside my own third-grade classroom
3. 8 Color posters to print and display for the Detective Agency: Case Files, Detective Hats, Highlighters, Magnifying Glasses, Highlighters, Chief Detective Gear, Detective Gear, Detective Notebooks, Detective Badges
4. Detective Badges to print- Two different options
5. Meet the Text Detectives Bulletin Board Letters in BW
6. Top Secret Case Files- color and BW option
7. Private Detective Status Packet- The Chief of Detective (that’s you!) checks “pass” or “retest” as students complete each mission. This is a great way to keep track of each student’s status.
8. RACES strategy posters to print and display- color and BW option
9. RACES student bookmarks- This is an effective tool for students to reference as they write a constructed response.
10. RACES graphic organizer- This handout will help students organize their writing and learn to write the perfect response while citing text evidence and responding to a writing prompt or a constructed response question.
11. RACES writing rubric
12. RACES checklists for
13. RACES self-assessment- The perfect interactive tool for writers to take ownership over their writing.
14. RACES highlighter strategy lesson and materials
15. TOP SECRET
16. RACES bulletin board posters
17. Scaffolded Options  – graphic organizer, sentence stems,
18. Say goodbye to short, one-sentence answers and hello to strong, detailed paragraphs!

The RACES Constructed Response Paragraph Writing Resource is here to turn even the most hesitant writers into confident, capable responders. With this resource, your students will master the art of answering text-dependent questions with clear, well-structured responses that showcase their understanding. Get ready to see their writing skills take off!

Using a race car theme, students will “REV” their engines and “DRIVE” to reach a new goal!

[videojs_video url=”https://inspiremeasap.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/GoalSetting.InspireMeASAP.mov”]

Resources include:
1. Setting the stage for goal setting- A fun way to engage your students in the process of goal setting! REV’ up your students’ excitement! Pictures and printables included!
2. Racer application
3. Race car driver license
4. Process of goal setting (list of 5 steps)
5. Creating SMART goals (Black/White and color acrostic poem templates, with the definition for each letter)
6. SMART goals bulletin board (11 pages)
7. Sorting examples and non-examples of SMART goals-There are 16 goal cards in color, and also black and white, for students to sort into the correct category.
8. SMART goal setting templates- Includes several different templates that students can use to help formulate their goal.
9. Pit crew- Students identify two people who will part of their “pit crew!”
10. Student journals for data tracking- Students create a journal to document their progress towards reaching their goal. Includes cover page in color and black/white and three different journal pages.
11. Monitoring Progress- Using red, yellow, and green circle stickers, as a creative and fun way to monitor your students’ progress towards their goal.
12. Affirmations and Encouraging Notes- If your students need a little boost of encouragement to reach the finish line, leave them a little positive note of encouragement or have them repeat a positive affirmation. Includes a black/white and color printable of affirmations and note of encouragement.
13. Overcoming Roadblocks- On the road to success, there may be some detours and roadblocks. Students identify strategies to overcome challenges.
14. Welcome to Winner’s Circle- Once your students reach their goals, present them with an award! Includes black/white and color awards.

I like to use this during indoor recess, when my students are not able to go outside because of the cold, cold weather. :( This is the perfect activity to get your kids up and movin’ and groovin’ around the classroom, giving them a much needed brain break and/or movement break!

Check out my Back to School Edition (It’s a freebie!!) of this Write, Rotate, Repeat activity. They all use the same format, just different questions based on the month/theme.

Write, Rotate, Repeat: Back to School Edition!

***Note***
This file is also part of a BUNDLE. Click on the link below to check out the Write, Rotate, Repeat BUNDLE. The bundle includes a total of 9 different Write, Rotate, Repeat monthly themes!

Write, Rotate, Repeat BUNDLE