Claim Evidence Reasoning Ecology Crime Scene Activity Water Quality What Killed the Fish

Description

“Are you looking for an engaging crime scene worksheet activity that gets your middle school students analyzing data and writing claim evidence reasoning (CER) scientific explanations? Students will love this solve-the-case CSI investigation where they analyze real water-quality data and write up their findings using the claim evidence reasoning CER format to solve the case of the Loon Pond fish kill. Students interpret graphs and data tables: dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, pH, and temperature — and use a camp map and weather data to figure out what killed the fish at summer camp.

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What will students be doing during this data analysis claim evidence reasoning CER practice activity?

• They will examine the crime scene at Loon Pond
• Analyze the camp director’s incident report and the suspect profiles
• Interpret real water-quality data — dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, pH, and temperature graphs and tables
• Use the camp map and weather data to trace the source of the problem
• Record their observations and notes in an investigation journal
• Use their knowledge to explain what happened using the CER format

What teachers like you are saying about our claim evidence reasoning CER practice activities:

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This was a fantastic way of reviewing CER with my students! They were engaged from the get-go! This year, my students are all about crimes and solving mysteries. This resource allowed them to get into the crime and use their CER skills to determine what might have happened. I kept it open-ended, if they had solid evidence, then they got the points. I was amazed at how creative they got with the evidence, and how invested they were in solving the case! Thank you so much for creating this resource, it was amazing!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “My students loved this activity so much! They were so into solving the ‘crime’ that they didn’t even realize the work they were putting in! An excellent way for them to practice CER in little steps and then allow them to put it all together!”

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “This activity was a great way to work on CER and data analysis without being too ‘science-y.’ This was just the right amount of science and writing. My students lose interest very quickly and solving the mystery kept them guessing. After every piece of evidence, they were trying to figure out what happened. Great resource!”

What is included in this data analysis claim evidence reasoning CER practice activity:

✅ Picture of the crime scene

✅ Camp Director’s incident report

✅ List of suspects (suspect profiles)

✅ Evidence Reports: water-quality data tables & graphs (dissolved oxygen, nitrate, phosphate, pH, temperature)

✅ Labeled camp map (runoff sources) and weather data

✅ CER graphic organizers

✅ Language support sentence starters

✅ Writing templates

✅ Student journal (print and digital format)

✅ Grading rubric

✅ Student self-check checklist

✅ Answer key

Some other Products you might like

➡ Most popular Claim, Evidence, Reasoning Writing Template

➡ Physical Science Guided Reading Growing Bundle

➡ scientific method mega bundle with penny lab

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