Evidence Detectives Slides Detective Academy
Grades 2 - 4
Instruction & Strategy
Citing Text Evidence: Be a Text Detective!
Don't just make a guess—crack the case by showing where the author proved it!
Rule #1: Every strong claim needs textual proof
Slide 1 of 5
What Is Text Evidence?
Detective Academy
The Clues on the Page
Text evidence is words, facts, or sentences directly from the reading that prove your idea is true.
"If it isn't in the text, it's just a guess!"
Why Do We Cite?
✓ Proves you read carefully
✓ Convinces your readers
✓ Protects you from making up answers
Be the reader everyone trusts!
Focus: Definition & Purpose Slide 2 of 5
Detective Sentence Starters
How to Introduce Proof
Starter 1
"According to the text..."
Use when pointing directly to a fact stated in the passage.
Starter 2
"The author writes..."
Use when you are preparing to quote exact words.
Starter 3
"In paragraph ___, it states..."
Use to show the exact location of your clue.
Starter 4
"This shows that..."
Use right after your quote to explain your thinking!
Tip: Keep these stems handy during writing time Slide 3 of 5
The R.A.C.E. Detective Formula
Constructed Response
R
Restate
Turn the prompt question into a clear statement.
A
Answer
Give your direct, thoughtful response.
C
Cite
Quote or paraphrase specific proof from the text.
E
Explain
Connect the evidence back to your original answer.
Remember: Cite and Explain turn good answers into unbeatable cases! Slide 4 of 5
Before You Close the Case: Checklist
Final Verification
1
Did I find the exact spot in the reading that answers the prompt?
2
Did I use quotation marks if I copied the author's exact words?
3
Did I include an evidence stem like "The text states..." ?
4
Did I explain how my clue proves my point?
You're ready for your casefiles! Slide 5 of 5
Clue Finder Worksheet Clue Finder Worksheet
Level: Grade 2 • Guided Practice: Finding Text Proof
Name: Date:
Detective Rule: A clue is in the story! When answering, look back at the words and start your answer with: "The text says..."
Case File #1: Oliver's Midnight Snack Fiction Passage
[1] Oliver the barn owl woke up when the sky turned dark indigo. His large golden eyes blinked as he stretched his soft gray wings.
[2] Oliver was very hungry. He swooped silently past the red barn and landed on a high pine branch.
[3] With his sharp ears, he heard dry leaves rustling near the garden fence. Down below, a tiny field mouse scurried across the grass looking for fallen seeds. Oliver glided down like a quiet whisper.
1. When does Oliver wake up? Check the clue that proves it:
When the sun rises
When the sky turns dark
At noon during lunch
2. What does Oliver hear rustling near the fence? Complete the detective sentence:
The text says, "With his sharp ears, he heard ________________________________."
3. Why is Oliver hunting? Write 1 full sentence and cite your proof from sentence [2]:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 2 Worksheet 1 of 10
Color Coded Clues Worksheet Color Coded Clues Worksheet
Level: Grade 2 • Independent Practice: Highlighting Proof
Name: Date:
Your Detective Mission:
Red Crayon: Who is the hero? Blue Crayon: Where did they go? Yellow Crayon: What did they find?
Case File #2: Maya's Garden Mystery Read & Underline
Maya strapped on her yellow boots and hurried outside on Saturday morning. She walked down to the small vegetable patch behind the wooden garage. Yesterday, Maya had planted four baby tomato seedlings in the dark brown soil.
When Maya reached the garden box, she gasped! Next to the tomato plants, she noticed tiny webbed footprints pressed into the damp mud. A bright green bullfrog was sitting calmly on a smooth gray stone, taking a warm sunbath. Maya smiled and knew her garden had a new helper.
1. Who is the hero in the story? Copy the exact words underlined in red:
Sentence frame: The author states that ___________________________________________________.
2. Where did Maya walk on Saturday? Copy the clue underlined in blue:
3. What animal did Maya find resting? Cite the author's words in yellow:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 2 Worksheet 2 of 10
Animal Investigators Worksheet Animal Investigators Worksheet
Level: Grade 2 • Informational Text Evidence
Name: Date:
Informational Rule: Every true animal fact comes from an author's sentence. Find and cite it!
Wildlife Dossier: The Super Beavers Nonfiction Article
Beavers are extraordinary mammal builders. They live in shallow ponds, slow rivers, and wetlands. A beaver has bright orange front teeth coated in strong iron enamel. These hard teeth never stop growing, which allows the beaver to gnaw through tree trunks quickly.
Beavers also possess a broad, flat tail covered in tough leathery scales. In deep water, the tail works like an underwater boat paddle for steering. When danger approaches, a beaver slaps its wide tail against the surface with a loud crack to warn its family.
1. Why do beaver teeth never wear down? Check the evidence matching the text:
They only eat soft river grass
Their hard teeth never stop growing
They sharpen them with stones
They brush them twice every day
2. How does a beaver's tail help it swim? Cite text evidence using: "The text states..."
3. What does a beaver do when danger is near? Write the exact words from the article:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 2 Worksheet 3 of 10
Quote Hunters Worksheet Quote Hunters Worksheet
Level: Grade 3 • Guided Practice: Mastering Direct Quotations
Name: Date:
Direct Quote Formula: Lead-in phrase + Comma + Open Quotation Mark + Exact Author Words + Closing Punctuation + Close Quote.
Example: The author writes, "Fireflies produce cool chemical light."
Science File: Nature's Little Flashlights Informational Text
On warm summer evenings, meadows twinkle with thousands of tiny yellow-green lights. These flashes do not come from electric batteries; they are produced inside the abdomens of fireflies. Scientists call this living glow bioluminescence .
Fireflies combine oxygen with a chemical substance called luciferin to trigger their flashes. Unlike human light bulbs that waste ninety percent of their energy producing heat, a firefly lantern produces 100% pure cold light. They flash specific patterns in the dark to communicate with other fireflies.
1. Which sentence cites the author's words with correct punctuation? (All options styled identically):
The text says fireflies combine oxygen with luciferin.
The text states, "Scientists call this living glow bioluminescence."
"The author explains" a firefly lantern makes 100% pure light.
The article says: Fireflies flash patterns in the dark.
2. How are firefly lights different from human light bulbs? Cite directly from paragraph 2 using quotation marks:
3. Why do fireflies flash patterns in the dark? Introduce your quote with "According to paragraph 2, ..." :
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 3 Worksheet 4 of 10
RACE Strategy Worksheet RACE Strategy Worksheet
Level: Grade 3 • Guided Practice: Step-by-Step Response
Name: Date:
R - RESTATE Turn prompt into a sentence
A - ANSWER Give your idea clearly
C - CITE Quote text proof: "..."
E - EXPLAIN Show how proof fits
Case File #4: The Willow Creek Rescue Fiction Narrative
Nine-year-old Leo and his little sister Clara walked near Willow Creek. Clara dropped her favorite wooden sailboat into the bubbling water. It drifted toward a slippery, algae-covered boulder. Clara stepped toward the muddy bank, crying.
Leo knew the rocks were treacherous. Instead of jumping into the rushing stream, he quickly picked up a sturdy fallen tree branch from the pathway. Leo knelt down flat on the dry grass, reached outward, and hooked the boat's mast with the curved branch tip. He pulled the toy safely to shore without anyone slipping into the chilly water.
Prompt: How did Leo show quick thinking when Clara lost her boat? Use the RACE method to construct your response.
R - Restate Question:
A - Answer Question:
C - Cite Proof with Stem ("The text states that..."):
E - Explain Your Evidence ("This proves that Leo was smart because..."):
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 3 Worksheet 5 of 10
Deep Sea Detectives Worksheet Deep Sea Detectives Worksheet
Level: Grade 3 • Independent Practice: Multi-Proof Citing
Name: Date:
Double Evidence Rule: A great detective proves their claim with TWO strong details from the text!
Ocean Dossier: Monsters of the Midnight Zone Science Article
More than 3,000 feet below the sunny ocean surface lies the Midnight Zone. Sunlight never reaches this eerie, frigid realm. The water pressure is so intense it could easily crush an ordinary steel tank. Yet astonishing creatures thrive in this harsh habitat.
The female deep-sea anglerfish has evolved remarkable tools to survive. Above her snout dangles a flexible spine with a glowing bulb at the end called an esca. Curious shrimp and smaller fish swim toward the glowing lure in total darkness. The anglerfish's huge jaws can hinge wide open, and her stretchy stomach allows her to swallow prey twice her own size.
1. Which sentence from the text best supports the claim that the Midnight Zone is dangerous?
"Sunlight never reaches this eerie, frigid realm."
"The water pressure is so intense it could easily crush an ordinary steel tank."
"Yet astonishing creatures thrive in this harsh habitat."
"More than 3,000 feet below the sunny ocean surface lies the Midnight Zone."
2. What two physical features help the anglerfish capture and eat large meals? Cite two quotes:
Clue #1 (Quoted text):
Clue #2 (Quoted text):
3. How does the glowing bulb deceive prey? Write a complete sentence using "The author explains that..." :
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 3 Worksheet 6 of 10
History Sleuths Worksheet History Sleuths Worksheet
Level: Grade 3 • Biography & Character Trait Proof
Name: Date:
Trait Proof Rule: When claiming a historical figure was brave or curious, cite an exact action they took!
History Archive: Amelia's First Flying Machine Historical Biography
[¶ 1] Long before Amelia Earhart flew an airplane solo across the Atlantic Ocean, she was an energetic girl in Atchison, Kansas. In 1904, after visiting a fair, seven-year-old Amelia decided she wanted her own roller coaster.
[¶ 2] Amelia gathered old fence boards and nailed them to the roof of her family's tool shed. Next, she greased the wooden ramp with lard so a wooden packing crate could slide smoothly. When her younger sister Muriel watched nervously, Amelia climbed into the crate and pushed off.
[¶ 3] The crate zoomed down the roof, flew off the edge into midair, and crashed onto the grass below. Amelia emerged with a bruised lip and a torn dress, but her eyes sparkled with joy. She yelled, "Oh, Muriel, it felt just like flying!"
1. Which detail proves that Amelia was resourceful and inventive as a child?
She grew up in the town of Atchison, Kansas.
She gathered old fence boards and greased the ramp with lard.
Her younger sister Muriel watched nervously from the grass.
She visited a fair in 1904.
2. Even after crashing, how do we know Amelia loved the thrill? Cite her exact spoken words from paragraph 3:
3. Was Amelia courageous? Answer using the stem: "In paragraph 3, the author proves Amelia was brave because..." :
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 3 Worksheet 7 of 10
Text Inspector Worksheet Text Inspector Worksheet
Level: Grade 4 • Guided Practice: Paragraph Citations & Paraphrasing
Name: Date:
Citation Protocol: Always state the exact paragraph number: "According to paragraph 2..." or "(paragraph 3)" .
Earth Science Dossier: Earth's Subterranean Furnace Informational Text
[Paragraph 1] Miles beneath our sneakers, Earth's fiery mantle radiates intense heat. In regions where molten magma sits near tectonic plate borders, underground reservoirs of water become superheated into high-pressure steam. This natural underground heat is called geothermal energy .
[Paragraph 2] Engineers drill deep wells to channel this trapped volcanic steam directly into spinning turbine blades. As the steam forces the heavy turbines to rotate at high speeds, generators convert the kinetic motion into clean electricity. Unlike fossil fuel plants, geothermal facilities burn zero coal or petroleum, releasing virtually no air-polluting greenhouse gases.
[Paragraph 3] However, geothermal power plants cannot be constructed just anywhere. They require specific geologic hotspots where magma lies close to Earth's surface, such as Iceland or California. Furthermore, drilling several miles through solid subterranean granite demands millions of dollars in advanced specialized machinery.
1. In which paragraph does the author discuss the limitations or challenges of geothermal energy?
Paragraph 1 (Definitions)
Paragraph 2 (Turbines)
Paragraph 3 (Limitations)
2. Cite a direct quote from Paragraph 2 showing why geothermal energy helps protect our atmosphere:
3. Paraphrase (put in your own words) the reason why countries cannot build geothermal plants everywhere:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 4 Worksheet 8 of 10
Inference Investigators Worksheet Inference Investigators Worksheet
Level: Grade 4 • Independent Practice: Evidence-Based Inferences
Name: Date:
The Inference Equation: Direct Text Clues + Your Background Knowledge = Logical Inference
Cold Case Dossier: The 3:00 AM Whistle Historical Fiction
[1] Mateo tightened the buckle on his scratched leather satchel with trembling fingers. Outside his frosted bedroom window, thick snowdrifts swallowed the cobblestone streets of Boston.
[2] Through the freezing darkness came the sharp clip-clop of iron horseshoes striking stone, followed by the hiss of a coal-fired steam whistle echoing from the harbor docks. His mother gently blew out their flickering tallow candle and whispered, "The ship departs before the morning guard arrives. Bundle your woolen scarf, Mateo."
[3] Mateo looked around his cozy room one final time, swallowed the hard lump in his throat, and stepped softly into the cold night without leaving a single lantern lit.
1. Text Evidence (Quote)
2. Background Knowledge (Schema)
3. Supported Inference
"His mother gently blew out their flickering tallow candle and whispered..."
People whisper and turn off lights when they need to remain hidden or unnoticed.
2. How does Mateo feel about leaving his home? State your inference and cite TWO specific physical reactions from sentences [1] and [3] as proof:
3. Cite evidence from sentence [2] that proves this story takes place in the past before modern automobiles:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 4 Worksheet 9 of 10
Paired Casefiles Worksheet Paired Casefiles Worksheet
Level: Grade 4 • Advanced Challenge: Paired Source Citations
Name: Date:
Dual-Source Protocol: When synthesizing two sources, clearly specify which text provided each clue (e.g., "In Source A..." ).
Source A: Human Astronauts
Human astronauts bring flexibility and instant problem-solving to orbit. When an unforeseen instrument fails outside the space station, an astronaut can adapt plans on the fly during a spacewalk. However, keeping humans alive requires massive supplies of breathable oxygen, clean water, and shielded habitats against cosmic radiation.
Source B: Robotic Rovers
Uncrewed robotic rovers like Perseverance can endure freezing Martian dust storms for decades without food, water, or air. They drill into alien bedrock and beam back laser measurements. Yet if a robotic wheel jams in soft sand, sending radio commands across millions of miles causes delays that can take hours or days to correct.
1. Based on BOTH sources, what is the primary advantage human explorers possess over robotic rovers?
Humans can withstand freezing radiation for decades without shelter.
Humans adapt quickly and solve unexpected problems on the spot.
Humans require far less equipment and food than mechanical rovers.
Humans communicate via laser commands directly with Mars.
2. Cite ONE specific limitation for human missions from Source A, and ONE limitation for rovers from Source B:
Source A Quote (Human Limitation):
Source B Quote (Rover Limitation):
3. Synthesize your findings in 2 sentences comparing both exploration methods:
Evidence Detectives Series • Grade 4 Worksheet 10 of 10
Evidence Detectives Answer Key Evidence Detectives Answer Key
Teacher Guide • Part 1: Worksheets 1 – 5 Solutions
Grading & Model Answers
Worksheet 1: Clue Finder (Grade 2) Fiction
Q1: Option B ("When the sky turns dark"). Text proof: "Oliver the barn owl woke up when the sky turned dark indigo." Q2: The text says, "With his sharp ears, he heard dry leaves rustling near the garden fence." (Accept: leaves rustling / field mouse).Q3: Oliver is hunting because he was very hungry. Proof: Sentence [2] states, "Oliver was very hungry."
Worksheet 2: Color Coded Clues (Grade 2) Underlining
Q1 (Red): Maya (or "Maya strapped on her yellow boots").Q2 (Blue): "She walked down to the small vegetable patch behind the wooden garage."Q3 (Yellow): "A bright green bullfrog was sitting calmly on a smooth gray stone, taking a warm sunbath."
Worksheet 3: Animal Investigators (Grade 2) Nonfiction
Q1: Option B ("Their hard teeth never stop growing").Q2: Accept answers citing paragraph 2: The text states the tail "works like an underwater boat paddle for steering." Q3: "A beaver slaps its wide tail against the surface with a loud crack to warn its family."
Worksheet 4: Quote Hunters (Grade 3) Quotation Marks
Q1: Option B (Correct punctuation: The text states, "Scientists call this living glow bioluminescence." ).Q2: Paragraph 2 quote: The author states, "Unlike human light bulbs that waste ninety percent of their energy producing heat, a firefly lantern produces 100% pure cold light." Q3: According to paragraph 2, "They flash specific patterns in the dark to communicate with other fireflies."
Worksheet 5: RACE Strategy (Grade 3) Constructed Response
[R] Leo showed quick thinking when Clara lost her boat...
[A] ...by using a long tree branch to reach the boat safely instead of entering dangerous water.
[C] The author notes that Leo "quickly picked up a sturdy fallen tree branch" and "hooked the boat's mast."
