ACES – use this strategy when you are answering questions by supporting the answer with evidence from the text and extending the answer by connecting with personal experience or by telling why the information is important.

A – answer the question

C – cite evidence from the text to support your answer or make connections to another text, self and world

E – explain and extend your answer

S – summarize with a final statement

F – TAP

Use this strategy to guide writing. Writers must consider the form, topic, audience, and purpose of each piece of writing.

F – FORM  What form should my writing take?

  • Should it be a paragraph?
  • Should it be a business letter?
  • Should it be a friendly letter?
  • Should it be a multi-paragraph essay?
  • Should it be a list?

T – TOPIC  What should I write about?

  • What am I being asked to write about?
  • How can I fully explain the topic?

A – AUDIENCE  Who is this written for?

  • According to the prompt, to whom am I writing to?
  • What content, style, and tone should I use?

P – PUPOSE  What is my assigned purpose in writing?

  • Am I going to express personal feelings or thoughts?
  • Should I tell a story?
  • Am I supposed to give information?
  • Am I trying to persuade the reader?

CUCC

Use this strategy to help you follow directions for limited writing prompts and to all content questions.

C – Circle all direction words

U – Underline key word after the direction words

C – Count the number of direction words

C – Check off the directions when you complete them

Common Direction Words

Language Arts
explain, write, read, summarize, listen, list, copy
Math
estimate, measure, calculate, solve, simplify
Science
hypothesize, measure, weigh, pour, heat, stir
Social Studies
read, write, compare, color, persuade
Industrial Arts
measure, cut, draw, repair, mark
Art
stir, mix, paint, color, draw, design
Music
sing, play, finger, breathe, read, repeat

QAR

Understanding Question-Answer Relationships helps students to answer questions better. There are four different types of questions.

  • Right There The answer to the question is located right in the text as a word or sentence in the passage.

Example: Who is Frog’s friend? Toad

  • Think and Search The answer to the question is located right in the text, but they are usually found in more than one place. Student must search for the answer.

Example: Why was Frog sad? His friend was leaving.

  • Author and You Students must use what they know as well as the text to answer the question.

Example: How do you think Frog felt when he found Toad? I think that Frog felt happy because he had not seen Toad in a long time. I know this because I feel happy when I get to see my friend who lives far away.

  • On Your Own Answers are based on students’ prior knowledge and experience.

Example: How would you feel if your best friend moved away? I would be sad if my best friend moved away because I would miss spending time with her.

Adapted from Reading Rockets.org