By Robin MellomA 3-Step Method That Actually Works
If your students say “because I like it!” when asked to explain their thinking, you’re not alone. Teaching Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) is one of the most powerful ways to build strong writers in grades 4–8, but it can also be one of the trickiest to get right.
As a middle school teacher and the creator of The Structured Writer’s Workshop®, I’ve spent years testing ways to make CER writing stick. Today, I’m sharing the three-step system I use in my own classroom. It's engaging, scaffolded, and ready for real-world writing.
💬 Why CER Is So Hard for Middle Schoolers
Ask a student to tell you why they prefer Reese’s over KitKats, and they’ll have no problem answering.
But ask them to support that claim with real evidence?
“Because it’s good!”
“Because I like it!”
“Because it just is!”
CER requires students to move beyond opinion and into evidence-based thinking. That shift doesn’t happen overnight.
So I break CER into three manageable, confidence-building phases. Let’s dig in!
Step 1: Start with Relatable, Bite-Sized Evidence
Forget starting with long, dry articles. I begin with one short, accessible piece of evidence and ask students to craft a claim based on that...not on their opinion.
Example: “Inadequate sleep can lead to academic problems, behavior issues, and health problems.” (American Academy of Pediatrics)
Now comes the hard part:
Write a claim based only on what the evidence says.
Students quickly learn the difference between personal opinion and evidence-based claims. Then, we write reasoning starting with: “Since…”
Ex:
Claim: Sleep is very important for healthy development.
Reasoning: Since sleep affects academic performance, it’s important to get enough each night.
🎯 Bonus: After modeling, I reverse it. I give them a claim, and they find the evidence. We spiral through topics like junk food, screen time, and more high-interest topics that keep them hooked.
Step 2: Turn CER into a Game
Once students get the hang of CER, we jump into a fast-paced digital Scoot game built in Google Slides.
How it works:
- Students open the deck in present mode
- Choose an emoji (yes, they love this!)
- Jump to a random CER challenge slide
- Match a claim, evidence, or reasoning
Some slides include goofy energizers like:
- “High five your neighbor!”
- “Say your sentence out loud!”
- “Draw a sleepy raccoon!”
These quick bursts of fun keep engagement high while giving students low-pressure CER practice.
It’s part practice, part celebration.
Step 3: Practice with a Hands-On Puzzle Activity
Finally, we deepen CER mastery through a group challenge.
Materials:
- Manila envelopes filled with mini essays
- Labels for claim, evidence, and reasoning
- One essay missing its reasoning
Task:
- In groups, students match claim/evidence/reasoning
- Identify the one missing a piece
- Write their own reasoning to complete it
Then, we display responses anonymously and vote on the strongest one.
Not only is it collaborative, but it helps students see multiple valid ways to connect evidence and reasoning. That’s advanced thinking.
Why This System Works
CER writing becomes successful when it’s:
- Taught in short, repeatable routines
- Practiced through games and movement
- Embedded in peer interaction and revision
- Reinforced across multiple subjects
I even bring CER into my social studies class, and students transfer the skill seamlessly.
If you're overwhelmed by all the writing standards you’re supposed to cover, remember: you don’t have to teach everything all at once. Prioritize what builds the most growth, and CER is a power skill worth teaching well.
🎥 Want to See It in Action?
You can watch how I teach all three CER activities step-by-step in this video:
✏️ Want Done-for-You CER Resources?
If you'd like to try these same activities in your classroom without starting from scratch, I’ve put together a ready-to-use CER resource pack that includes:
- The digital scoot game
- The group sorting activity
- Editable slides and materials
- Clear examples and models
🎯 Check it out here: Identifying Claim Evidence Reasoning Practice: CER Writing Constructed Response
Happy Writing!
~Robin