1. Constructed response
Bi-Weekly Constructed Response Activity- 16 Weeks of Fiction/Poetry and 16 weeks of Informational/Argumentative Nonfiction

2. How do I answer a short constructed response question?
To RACE is great, but it’s not enough.
Let’s review RACE first and see why.

4. While this is a good start……
We need more EXPLAINING!
Unfortunately students look at those letters in RACE and do 4 sentences in their response.
That is not how it works!
Sometimes the R and A will be one sentence, and sometimes more.
The C could be one or two sentences from the text as well.
But FOR SURE the E needs to be several sentences. One sentence will never be enough for explaining why that piece of text evidence you gave answered the question.

5. So what are we looking for in a response when we grade it?

6. Example
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. 
By: Emily Dickenson
What is the theme of this poem? Cite evidence in your answer.
The theme of this poem is the importance of showing compassion. The author states that if she can help just one bird, or “stop one heart from breaking” that she will “not live in vain.” This shows how much she cares for all living things. She also repeats the phrase “I shall not live in vain” This reminds the reader that helping others is her purpose in life. I believe this author wants people to understand the importance of caring others, and that it should be our primary reason for living.
Let’s trace my steps of RACE

7. Let’s look at another…..
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. 
By: Emily Dickenson
What phrase could you substitute for “cool one pain” that keeps the meaning of the poem the same?
I think the phrase “help one hurt” could substitute for the phrase “cool one pain” in this text. The phrase “cool one pain” means to soothe or help something that hurts on a person. The word ‘cool’ doesn’t literally mean to make something colder in this poem, it means to ease, or help the pains. So I believe that “help one hurt” could replace it, and still mean the same thing.

8. Let’s look at another…..And you try
If I can stop one heart from breaking, I shall not live in vain; If I can ease one life the aching, Or cool one pain, Or help one fainting robin Unto his nest again, I shall not live in vain. 
By: Emily Dickenson
What is the mood of this poem? How do you know?
The mood of this poem is _________. I know this because the text said “_____________” This shows ________________. Readers can also see the mood ………

9. The Project
I could not believe my bad luck. Why did I have to forget my Social Studies project at home again? Mrs. Snell would never believe that I forgot to bring it again. She will think that I still have not even started the project. I did start it though, and it’s actually really good! I can’t believe how forgetful I am. I hope my mom will bring it when I call her at lunch. Although last week when I forgot my English essay, she wouldn’t bring it. And the time I forgot my science poster, she wouldn’t bring that either. If she refuses to help me again, I’ll probably get points deducted from the project. My mom better come through for me this time.
What would be a better title for this story and why? Do you think the student’s mother will bring her project? Why or why not? Be sure to cite evidence from the text.

10. Bundles of Sticks What is the theme of this text?
An old man on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice. He ordered his servants to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: “Break it.” The son strained and strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the Bundle. The other sons also tried, but none of them was successful. “Untie the bundle,” said the father, “and each of you take a stick.” When they had done so, he called out to them: “Now, break,” and each stick was easily broken. “You see my meaning,” said their father.
What is the theme of this text?
Why do you think the father wanted to teach his sons this lesson? Do you think the sons understood it?

11. Dreams What is the theme of this poem?
Hold fast to dreams
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird
That cannot fly.
For when dreams go
Life is a barren field
Frozen with snow.
Langston Hughes,
What is the theme of this poem?
How does the metaphor of the broken-winged bird illustrate the authors point of view?

12. And let’s begin… One question, twice a week
A shepherd-boy, who watched a flock of sheep near a village, brought out the villagers three or four times by crying out, "Wolf! Wolf!" and when his neighbors came to help him, laughed at them for their pains. The Wolf, however, did truly come at last. The Shepherd-boy, now really alarmed, shouted in an agony of terror: "Please, do come and help me; the Wolf is killing the sheep"; but no one paid any heed to his cries, nor offered any assistance. The Wolf, having no cause of fear, at his leisure destroyed the whole flock.
What is the theme of this story? Cite text evidence
Why did the villagers not come and help the boy when he cried? Cite text evidence

13. Nature versus Nurture What is the theme of this story?
The gods were once disputing whether it was possible for a living being to change its nature. Jupiter said “Yes,” but Venus said “No.” So, to try the question, Jupiter turned a Cat into a Maiden, and gave her to a young man for a wife. The wedding was duly performed and the young couple sat down to the wedding-feast. “See,” said Jupiter, to Venus, “how becomingly she behaves. Who could tell that yesterday she was but a Cat? Surely her nature is changed?”
“Wait a minute,” replied Venus, and let loose a mouse into the room. No sooner did the bride see this than she jumped up from her seat and tried to pounce upon the mouse. “Ah, you see,” said Venus, “Nature will win out.”
What is the theme of this story?
Provide an objective summary of this story.

14. Dogfood What is the theme of this story?
A DOG, crossing a bridge over a stream with a piece of flesh in his mouth, saw his own shadow in the water and took it for that of another Dog, with a piece of meat double his own in size. He immediately let go of his own, and fiercely attacked the other Dog to get his larger piece from him. He thus lost both: that which he grasped at in the water, because it was a shadow; and his own, because the stream swept it away.
What is the theme of this story?
This story was written in 3rd person limited point of view. Rewrite it in 1st person point of view. Be sure to include the inner thinking of the dog.

15. The World is Not a Pleasant Place to be
the world is not a pleasant place to be without someone to hold and be held by a river would stop its flow if only a stream were there to receive it an ocean would never laugh if clouds weren't there  to kiss her tears the world is not a pleasant place to be without someone -Nikki Giovanni
How would you describe the feelings that the speaker expresses in the first stanza?
How does the personification in the third stanza help create stronger images?