Claim Compass Organizer Claim Compass
Navigating the CER Structure
Name:
Date:
Task 1: The Argumentative Claim
Prompt Question (Refer to "The Bilingual Debate"):
Should high schools require students to learn a second language to graduate?
Instruction: Use the provided source to construct a claim and support it with three reasons.
Key Vocabulary
Claim Sentence
1
Reason #1
2
Reason #2
3
Reason #3 or Conclusion
Claim Compass
Navigating the CER Structure
Name:
Date:
Task 2: The Informational Claim
Prompt Question (Refer to "Connected or Disconnected?"):
How does social media use impact the way teenagers develop and maintain friendships?
Instruction: Based on the text, explain the effects using three key points.
Key Vocabulary
Claim Sentence
1
Key Point #1
2
Key Point #2
3
Key Point #3 or Conclusion
Claim Compass
Navigating the CER Structure
Name:
Date:
Task 3: Text-Based Analysis
Based on the "How Far I'll Go" lyrics in your source packet:
What is the primary internal conflict Moana faces in this song?
Instruction: Construct a claim and support it with two pieces of evidence and a conclusion.
Key Vocabulary
Claim Sentence
1
Evidence Piece #1
2
Evidence Piece #2
3
Reasoning or Conclusion
Claim Compass
Navigating the CER Structure
Name:
Date:
Task 4: Paired Passage Comparison
Prompt Question:
How do the authors of Text A and Text B differ in their views of what makes a place "home"?
Instruction: Identify one similarity and one difference between the two perspectives.
Text A: The Anchor "Home is not a place on a map, but a collection of faces. It is the sound of your mother’s laugh in the kitchen and the way your brother leaves his shoes by the door. You can move across the ocean, but as long as those you love are within reach, you are never truly lost."
Text B: The Roots "There is a specific magic in the soil of the valley where I was born. People come and go, but the mountains remain constant. To me, home is the smell of rain on the cedar trees... Even when I am alone, the land holds me. I belong to this earth more than I belong to any crowd."
Key Vocabulary
Claim Sentence
1
Similarity Evidence
2
Difference Evidence
3
Conclusion
Claim Compass Presentation English II Writing
Point
Proven
The CER Framework
Claim Compass
The CER Model
Claim
A clear answer that takes a stand.
Evidence
Facts or data from the source.
Reasoning
How the facts prove your answer.
The Prompt
"Should public high schools require students to wear uniforms?"
Exemplar Part 1
Foundation
Vocabulary
Standardized
Socioeconomic
The Claim Sentence
Public high schools should implement mandatory uniforms to reduce socioeconomic bullying and improve student focus.
Exemplar Part 2
Evidence & Proof
Evidence 01
NASSP
"A study by the NASSP found that 85% of schools with uniforms reported a decrease in peer pressure regarding brand-name labels."
Evidence 02
STATS
"Long Beach Unified data showed a 91% drop in school crime and a 34% increase in attendance after uniforms were mandated."
Reasoning & Conclusion
Ultimately, uniforms create a professional learning environment where students are judged by their character rather than their appearance.
Your Turn
Define Key Vocab
Draft your Claim
Open your Claim Compass Organizer.
Begin Task 1
Reference the blueprint
Point Proven Guide Point Proven Guide
Teacher Reference & Answer Keys
English II / CER Prep
Instructional Goal
The "Claim Compass" activity is designed to strip away the complexity of full-essay writing and focus purely on the structural logic of a CER. Students practice identifying key vocabulary, crafting a defensible claim, and identifying three supporting reasons.
STAAR Alignment
The four prompts mirror the diverse thinking required for the English II EOC. By practicing paired passage comparison and song analysis, students build the inference skills needed for the Reading and ECR sections.
Prompt 3 Reference: "How Far I'll Go" (Moana)
I've been staring at the edge of the water
Every turn I take, every trail I track
See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me
I know everybody on this island seems so happy on this island
Prompt 4: Paired Texts Reference
Text A: "The Anchor"
Home is not a place on a map, but a collection of faces. It is the sound of your mother’s laugh in the kitchen and the way your brother leaves his shoes by the door. You can move across the ocean, but as long as those you love are within reach, you are never truly lost. Geography is silent; it is people who give a house its voice.
Text B: "The Roots"
There is a specific magic in the soil of the valley where I was born. People come and go, but the mountains remain constant. To me, home is the smell of rain on the cedar trees and the way the fog rolls over the hills at dawn. Even when I am alone, the land holds me. I belong to this earth more than I belong to any crowd.
Sample Answer Keys
Prompt 1: Argumentative (2nd Language)
Sample Claim: High schools should require a second language because it improves cognitive ability and enhances career opportunities in a global economy.
Reasons: 1. Brain development/multitasking. 2. Job market competitiveness. 3. Cultural empathy/awareness.
Claim Compass Presentation Final English II Writing
Point
Proven
The CER Framework
Claim Compass
The CER Model
Claim
A clear answer that takes a stand.
Evidence
Facts or data from the source.
Reasoning
Explanation of how proof fits.
The Prompt
"Should public high schools require students to wear uniforms?"
Model Organizer
Exemplar Blueprint
Vocabulary
Standardized
Socioeconomic
Claim Sentence
Public high schools should implement mandatory uniforms to reduce socioeconomic bullying and improve focus.
Evidence 01
NASSP
"A study by the NASSP found that 85% of schools with uniforms reported a decrease in peer pressure regarding brand-name labels."
Evidence 02
DATA
"Long Beach Unified data showed a 91% drop in school crime and a 34% increase in attendance after uniforms were mandated."
Reasoning & Conclusion
Ultimately, uniforms create a professional learning environment where students are judged by character rather than appearance.
Your Turn
Define Key Vocab
Draft your Claim
Open your Claim Compass Organizer.
Begin Task 1
Blueprint is on the board
Claim Compass Sources Claim Compass Sources
Evidence Packet for Tasks 1-3
Student Resource
Task 1: The Bilingual Debate
The question of whether to require a second language for high school graduation is a major debate in education. Supporters of the requirement point to cognitive benefits , noting that bilingual students often show better problem-solving skills and improved memory. Furthermore, in an increasingly globalized economy, being fluent in a second language can provide a significant competitive edge in the job market, opening doors to international careers and higher-paying positions.
However, critics argue that a mandate could be a burden for many students. They suggest that high school schedules are already overcrowded with core requirements in math, science, and English. Adding another mandatory subject might prevent students from taking elective courses in trades, arts, or computer science that better align with their career goals. Additionally, schools in lower-income districts may struggle with the budget costs of hiring qualified language teachers, potentially widening the gap between wealthy and struggling schools.
Task 2: Connected or Disconnected?
Social media has fundamentally changed how teenagers interact. On the positive side, platforms like Instagram and Discord allow teens to maintain long-distance bonds and find supportive "niche" communities where they feel safe being themselves. This constant connectivity can reduce feelings of loneliness and allow for instant emotional support during difficult times.
Conversely, many experts worry about the quality of these digital friendships. The phenomenon of "FOMO" (Fear Of Missing Out) is common, as students see their friends hanging out in photos and feel intentionally excluded . Moreover, digital communication lacks the nuance of body language and tone, often leading to misunderstandings and drama that wouldn't happen in person. Some studies also suggest that excessive screen time reduces the development of "soft skills" like face-to-face conflict resolution and empathy.
Task 3: "How Far I'll Go" Lyrics
I've been staring at the edge of the water
Every turn I take, every trail I track
See the line where the sky meets the sea? It calls me
Claim Compass Presentation Final Fit English II Writing
Point
Proven
The CER Framework
Claim Compass
The CER Model
Claim
A direct answer that takes a stand.
Evidence
Facts or data from the source.
Reasoning
How the facts prove your answer.
The Prompt
"Should public high schools require students to wear uniforms?"
Model Organizer
Exemplar Blueprint
The Claim Sentence
Public high schools should implement mandatory uniforms to reduce socioeconomic bullying and improve focus.
Vocabulary
Standardized
Socioeconomic
Evidence 01
NASSP
"A study by the NASSP found that 85% of schools with uniforms reported a decrease in peer pressure regarding brand labels."
Evidence 02
STATS
"Long Beach Unified data showed a 91% drop in school crime and a 34% increase in attendance after uniforms were mandated."
Reasoning & Conclusion
Ultimately, uniforms create a professional learning environment where students are judged by character rather than appearance.
Your Turn
Define Key Vocab
Draft your Claim
Open your Claim Compass Organizer.
Begin Task 1
Blueprint is on the board
Claim Compass Presentation Final Fit English II Writing
Point
Proven
The CER Framework
Claim Compass
The CER Model
Claim
A direct answer that takes a stand.
Evidence
Facts or data from the source.
Reasoning
Explanation of how proof fits.
The Prompt
"Should public high schools require students to wear uniforms?"
Exemplar Blueprint
Model Task 1
Vocabulary
Standardized
Socioeconomic
The Claim Sentence
Public high schools should implement mandatory uniforms to reduce socioeconomic bullying and improve focus.
Evidence 01
NASSP DATA
"A study by the NASSP found that 85% of schools with uniforms reported a decrease in peer pressure regarding brand labels."
Evidence 02
STATS
"Long Beach Unified data showed a 91% drop in school crime and a 34% increase in attendance after uniforms were mandated."
Reasoning & Conclusion
Ultimately, uniforms create a professional learning environment where students are judged by character rather than appearance.
Your Turn
Define Key Vocab
Draft your Claim
Open your Claim Compass Organizer.
Begin Task 1
Blueprint is on the board
Claim Compass Presentation Final Fit English II Writing
Point
Proven
The CER Framework
Claim Compass
The CER Model
Claim
A direct answer that takes a stand.
Evidence
Facts or data from the source.
Reasoning
How proof fits the claim.
The Prompt
"Should public high schools require students to wear uniforms?"
Model Organizer
Blueprint
Vocabulary
Standardized
Socioeconomic
Claim Sentence
Public high schools should implement mandatory uniforms to reduce socioeconomic bullying and improve focus.
Evidence 01
NASSP
"A study found that 85% of schools with uniforms reported a decrease in peer pressure regarding clothing labels."
Evidence 02
Stats
"Long Beach Unified data showed a 91% drop in school crime and 34% attendance increase after uniforms."
Reasoning & Conclusion
Ultimately, uniforms create a learning environment where students are judged by character rather than labels.
Your Turn
Define Key Vocab
Draft your Claim
Open your Claim Compass Organizer.
Begin Task 1
Blueprint is on the board
