R.A.C.E.R.S. Writing Strategy

I was introduced to the the R.A.C.E.R.S. strategy for writing this year by my new team.  I have found that if kids use this with fidelity it can help them respond to essay questions and various writing prompts with ease and organization.

I always try to relate new teaching strategies to my own learning journey.  I really wish this had been shown to me when I was a young writer coming up in the world.  As a child I looooooved to write but my writing was slightly scattered and "mildly" unorganized.  My mom struggled to find a way to help me organize my thoughts so that they were more clear and adequately supported with reasons and examples.  Boy oh boy if only she had of known about this!!!!

Flash forward as a new EC teacher I am using this strategy all the time with my kiddos to help them navigate the wild world of written response.  I created a template to help them use R.A.C.E.R.S. in our ELA Resource class.  Please feel free to use it and let me know what you think and what I could add/change to make it better.

For a limited time you can download this at my TPT store using the link below:

http://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Racer-Graphic-Organizer-1418264

You can also download it from my google docs folder:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5WnOovSnuEtTm1WQzhQNk1lWnM/edit?usp=sharing

First Year Teacher Reflection Journal

    This is an excellent tool for beginning teachers to help document their thoughts and reflect on their instruction all throughout their first year teaching.  It is also a good tool for seasoned teachers to think deeply about what works in their weekly instruction.  Research shows that teachers who reflect on their practice weekly are most successful.

First Year Teacher Reflection Journal Link

Please check out this awesome tool on my TPT site.  I have used a reflection journal every year and it is so beneficial.  I love being able to go back and read journal entries from my first and second years of teaching.  Whenever I feel my drive decreasing or whenever I feel discouraged I go back and read those past entries.  They always renew my hope and spirit as an educator.