1. RAT Restate Answer the question Tell why WHY RAT? Systematic way for answering questions Provides consistency across grade-level Gives students a structure for answering questions It’s simple and it works

2. The RAT process can be use to answer: Short answer questions when responding to literature Constructed response questions in any content area Science task problems Answering open ended questions How and When can the RAT 6 Step Process be applied.

3. Carefully read the question. Look for words like: EXPLAIN DESCRIBE COMPARE CONTRAST DISCUSS WHY When can the RAT PROCESS be used:

4. RESTATE Your first sentence should restate the question Example: Why do students get excited about vacation? How would you answer this question?

5. How to answer short answer questions using the RAT Process Step 1 READ THE QUESTION SLOWLY AND CAREFULLY.

6. Example Short Answer: STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT VACATION BECAUSE THEY LIKE FREE TIME AND SLEEPING LATE. ESSAY: STUDENTS GET EXCITED ABOUT VACATION FOR SEVERAL REASONS.

7. Answer the Question Make sure you focus on what the question asked. Write down the answer This is the most important part of the process (ARRIVING AT THE CORRECT ANSWER) The first step tells me where to go And helps me decide on what to look for

8. Tell Why? I’m not adding Extra Information, only details that are specific to what my question asked me. Add detail Add more details And add more details ( Not all the time will we have to add in details, it depends on the question)

9. Checking Your Answer Read your answer. Fix any mistakes in spelling, capitalization, grammar, and punctuation. Make sure all the letters in all the words are written clearly. Read your answer one more time. Does it answer the question? Does it make sense? Does it say what you mean?

10. When modeling the RAT PROCESS use these 6 steps 1. Read the question slowly and carefully. 2. Your first sentence should restate the question 3. Now answer the question. 4. Add detail, after detail, then more details. 5. Read your answer and fix all mechanical errors. 6. Read your answer for meaning.