How To Write Your RICA Essay
Here is a quick preview of our winning RICA Essay Formula. For answering essay questions on the RICA there is a formula you need to execute consistently without spending too much time on any one question. You will need to show you can apply your knowledge. The essay questions on the RICA will give you a scenario of a classroom situation. You need to respond by writing your essay in a way that answers the following questions.
Utilize the P.A.S. like the word pass to successfully answer your RICA essay questions. Believe me this works. 1.) P. List the POSITIVES or strengths. 2.) A. ASSESS the needs of the student(s), write a list of the of some dominant needs of these students. 3.) S. Explain the STRATEGY you will use.
Number one, list the strengths of the students (e.g. can read some sight words, have an interest in reading). Number two, write what the needs of these students are. What reading strategies/ skills are they lacking (e.g. phonics skills on an automatic level to promote fluency and comfort with reading). Number three, write one appropriate teaching strategy for teaching the student(s)based on the needs you identified (e.g. create activity centers that provide practice in phonics skills and previously taught generalizations, choral reading.)
Use this method to answer essay questions. Remember, if you offer one good strategy based on a dominant need of the students that will be sufficient. However, don’t just say teach the students S.Q.3R. to promote the reading comprehension of the sixth grade class, describe how you would go about teaching S.Q.3R. so you show you know what this strategy is and how to apply it. The RICA is heavy on testing your ability to apply your knowledge.
