Paired Passages Using the RACE Writing Strategy

Print and digital! With free optional student instructional video lessons! This resource will help your students learn how to navigate paired passages (also called paired texts or paired selections), making use of the RACE or RACES writing strategy.

This resource gradually builds the concepts for comparing and contrasting two texts, first by using pictures and words, then very short passages, then longer passages. This helps our students build confidence and understanding of the process. Students compare and contrast using Venn diagrams, multiple choice questions, and written response questions.

The written response component of the paired passages makes use of the RACE or RACES writing strategy, which is an acronym (Restate question, Answer the question, Cite text evidence, Explain the evidence, and optional Sum it up) that helps students structure their response to a question in a thoughtful, organized way that draws from the texts. This resource assumes your students already know how to use the RACE or RACES writing strategy with a single text. If not, you might be interested in my RACE(S) writing strategy resource as a precursor, which gradually teaches how to use the RACE(S) strategy with a single text (check it out HERE, and it's also bundled with this resource HERE). With this paired passages resource, students will continue to use the RACE (or RACES) strategy, citing text evidence from both texts!

Included is a list of steps for teaching how to complete paired passages effectively, posters to help students understand and remember what to do (small cards identical to the posters included too - for individual use, etc.), and sets of paired passages for practice in different combinations of genres. Each set of passages includes multiple choice questions as well as a text-dependent written response question.

Samples for each stage are also included to examine as a class. These samples include both good examples as models and not-so-good examples to critique.

Answer keys are included for all pages. Rubrics (in two different versions) are included as well.

Please take a look at the preview for a closer glimpse!

Purchasing this resource will enable you to download the traditional PDF version to be printed as well as have access to a digital version to be used with Google Classroom™ or any LMS (through TpT's digital tool, Easel)! I have already prepared a student digital version of this resource for your convenience (deleted answer keys, added instructions and text boxes for student answers, etc.). But you can also make your own changes (in terms of text boxes, instructions, etc., but note the content of the pages is not editable). For more information about how TpT's digital tool Easel works, please click here! Also check out the preview above for a glimpse of this digital version!

This resource has proven to be very effective, and it includes all the materials needed for teaching the strategy. But as an optional added bonus, you may also like my free Paired Passages instructional video lessons! There are 10 videos in the series, and I teach the process one step at a time with student independent practice in between some of the video sessions. The practice pages and materials needed are included in this resource (print and digital). The videos can be found on my YouTube channel (name: Erin Guge; playlist: Paired Passages Instructional Videos).

This resource is listed as 3rd-4th grade, but this can be flexible. The reading passages are fairly simple (and enjoyable!) so that the focus is on learning to compare/contrast texts and to apply the RACE (or RACES) strategy when comparing/contrasting in a written response (and not on text difficulty). Some second graders may be ready for this. This also would work well in higher grade levels for students learning this process.

This product includes the following:

- A list of steps for teaching paired passages, which makes use of the materials listed below

- Pages to model and explain comparing/contrasting two pictures and two words, including Venn diagrams and multiple choice questions

- 2 student independent practice pages for the above

- Pages to model and explain comparing/contrasting two very short passages, including Venn diagrams, multiple choice questions, and written responses

- 2 sets of 2 very short passages, each set with Venn diagram, 3 multiple choice questions, and 1 written response question for student independent practice

- Pages to model and explain comparing/contrasting two longer passages, including multiple choice questions and written responses

- 7 sets of 2 longer passages (different genre combinations), each set with 6 multiple choice questions and 1 written response question

- RACE(S) posters (different layout and color options)

- RACE(S) posters in small card size (9 per page)

- Posters for the following concepts: compare/contrast, what is a paired passage/text/selection, possible genres to compare/contrast, possible things to compare/contrast (such as character traits, main ideas, etc.), and student directions for how to go about completing paired passages

- Blank lined page for extra writing space

- Answer keys for all pages

- Rubric (in 2 versions)

- Video lessons guide

Also check out these other resources:

The RACE(S) Writing Strategy - also with free instructional videos!

The RACE(S) Writing Strategy All Year

The RACE Writing Strategy for K-1st

Reading Comprehension Strategy and Skill Interactive Bookmarks

Writing Resource Notebook (in 3 versions)

If you have questions or ideas for how I can improve my products, feel free to email me at erinteachermom@gmail.com. If you like this product, please leave positive feedback in order to receive credit toward future purchases! Also, consider following me on TpT!

Thank you and happy teaching!

Erin Guge

© Erin Guge – All Rights Reserved

• You may not create anything to sell or share based on this product.

• This product is for one teacher use only. If others like the product, please send them to my TpT store.