6th Grade CER History Detective - Age of Exploration
In Social Studies, we answer questions using CER — Claim, Evidence, Reasoning. This helps us clearly state our answer, back it up with facts, and explain our thinking.
Today, you’ll practice CER one step at a time — starting with a simple example and ending with a real history question from our unit on Early Settlements.
Follow the instructions in each section and do your best!
Group 1
Let’s match each piece of evidence from the weather example to the correct reasoning statement. Choose the best answer for each.
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 puddles are full.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Question 1b
Evidence: The ground is wet.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Question 1c
Evidence: Leaves are sticking to the sidewalk.
Which reasoning fits this evidence best?
Group 2
Pick the best definition for each part of CER. Choose the correct answer for each.
Question 2a
What is the Claim in CER?
Question 2b
What is the Evidence in CER?
Question 2c
What is the Reasoning in CER?
Group 3
Scenario: You’ve found a “mystery bag” with these items: a tri-corner hat, compass, telescope, rolled-up map, leather-bound journal, and a pouch of gold coins.
Question 3a
Where is the person most likely going, or what are they doing? Write a clear, direct answer (your Claim).
Group 4
Look at the items in the mystery bag again. Which 2 items from the bag best support your claim? List them.
Question 4a
List the two items from the bag that best support your claim (your Evidence).
Group 5
Now, explain how the two items you listed support your claim. Be sure to connect your evidence to your answer.
Question 5a
Explain how the two items you listed support your claim (your Reasoning).
Question 5b
Write a CER paragraph about where the person was going and why you think that.
Source 5b.1
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...
Group 6
Read the passage about Jamestown’s location and environment. Use this information to answer the extended response question.
Source 6.1
Jamestown was the first permanent English settlement in North America, founded in 1607 along the James River in Virginia. The location was chosen because it was easy to defend from Spanish ships, had a deep harbor for ships, and was surrounded by forests for building and hunting. The area also had fertile land nearby for growing crops and trading with Native American groups. However, the environment created many challenges. The land around Jamestown was swampy, which led to mosquitoes and diseases like malaria. The water in the river was brackish, or salty, making it hard to find fresh drinking water. Many settlers became sick from drinking the water or from diseases carried by insects. In addition, while there were some opportunities to trade with local Native Americans, there were also tense and sometimes violent relations, which made getting food and supplies difficult. Despite these challenges, the settlers used the resources around them to survive, but life in Jamestown was often very hard.
AI-generated grade-level text based on common knowledge.
Question 6a
Using your knowledge of social studies and evidence from the text, explain how the location and environment of Jamestown affected the success and challenges of the settlement. Make a claim about one or more impacts, support it with at least two pieces of evidence from the text, and explain how your evidence supports your claim.
Group 7
Reflect on your experience using CER in both the Mystery Bag and the Jamestown history question.
Question 7a
What did you notice about how you used CER in both the Mystery Bag and the Jamestown history question? How was the historical question harder?
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