5th Grade CER History Detective - Inca
Today, you’ll learn how to explain your ideas so clearly and convincingly that everyone will understand your thinking. This method is called CER — Claim, Evidence, Reasoning. First, I'll explain, then we’ll practice with a mystery. Finally, we’ll solve a real history question using CER.
- First, you'll learn about CER and answer multiple choice questions.
- Next, you'll practice with a mystery backpack.
- Then, you'll use CER to answer a real history question about the Inca civilization and the Andes Mountains.
- Read all instructions and answer each question carefully.
Group 1
Source 1.1
"Prompt: What weather event do you think happened last night?"
Claim: A statement that answers a question.
Example: It rained last night.
Evidence: Facts or clues that support your claim.
- The ground is wet
- the puddles are full
- leaves are sticking to the sidewalk
Reasoning: Explain how the evidence proves your claim.
- Rain would make the ground wet and cause puddles to form.
- It can also make leaves stick to the ground because of the water.
- These clues all point to rainfall as the cause.
Full Answer:
I think it rained last night. When I look outside the ground is wet, the puddles are full, and leaves are sticking to the sidewalk. Rain would make the ground wet causing puddles to form. It can also make the leaves stick to the ground because of the water.
Question 1a
Evidence: The ground is wet.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Question 1b
Evidence: The puddles are full.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Question 1c
Evidence: Leaves are sticking to the sidewalk.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Group 2
Now that you've seen CER in action, answer the multiple choice questions below.
Question 2a
What does the 'Claim' part of CER mean?
Question 2b
What does the “Evidence” part of CER mean?
Question 2c
What does 'Reasoning' do in a CER response?
Group 3
Look at the list of items found in a mystery backpack:
- Flip-flops
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Beach towel
- Water bottle
Answer the following questions using the CER method.
Question 3a
Claim: Where do you think the person was going?
Question 3b
Evidence: Which clues support your answer? Give at least two.
Question 3c
Reasoning: Why do those clues lead to your claim?
Group 4
Now, combine your Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning from the mystery backpack into one paragraph. Use sentence starters like:
- I think...
- because...
- For example...
- This shows that...
Question 4a
Write a CER paragraph about where the person was going and why you think that.
Group 5
Read the passage about the geography of the Andes Mountains and the Inca civilization. Then answer the question using the CER method.
Source 5.1
The Andes Mountains are a huge mountain range that runs along the western edge of South America. The Inca civilization lived high up in these mountains, where the land is steep and the air is thin. Because the mountains were so steep, the Incas built terraces—flat steps cut into the hillsides—so they could farm crops like potatoes and corn. These terraces stopped soil from washing away and made it possible to grow food on the mountains.
The Andes have many rivers and valleys. The Incas built special irrigation systems to bring water from rivers to their fields. This helped them grow enough food for their people, even when it didn’t rain much. The high mountains also protected the Inca from enemies, making it hard for invaders to attack.
Travel in the Andes was difficult, so the Inca built long roads and strong bridges to connect their cities. They used messengers called chasquis to run along these roads and carry messages quickly. The Inca also built strong stone buildings that could survive earthquakes, which are common in the Andes. Living at high altitude meant the Inca had to adapt to less oxygen, so they developed strong lungs and special ways to grow food.
Adapted from various educational sources on the Inca and the Andes Mountains.
Question 5a
Using what you know and information from the source(s), explain how the physical geography of the Andes Mountains shaped or changed the way the Inca lived, traveled, and farmed.
- Make a claim about one or more ways geography influenced the Inca
- Support your claim with at least two pieces of evidence. One from the source, and another from your own social studies knowledge.
- Explain how your evidence supports your claim.
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