Description
Help your students master Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) while analyzing real-world Earth Science data! This resource includes 20 ready-to-use graph activities that make scientific reasoning engaging and accessible for 5th graders. Students will practice interpreting data, writing CERs, and connecting science concepts to visual evidence — all aligned to NGSS 5-ESS standards and state science standards.
What’s Included:
- ✅ 20 Earth Science Graphs (topics include water distribution, moon phases, Earth’s tilt & seasons, natural hazards, renewable vs. nonrenewable resources, and more)
- ✅ Student CER Pages (printable + Google Slides) with prompts for Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning
- ✅ Teacher Slideshow with clean graph visuals for class discussion
- ✅ Simplified CER Rubric + Checklist to guide and assess student responses
- ✅ Answer Keys & Sample Responses for easy grading and modeling
Why Teachers Love This Resource:
- Saves Time – No prep needed; just print or assign digitally.
- Builds Critical Thinking – Students learn how to use graphs as scientific evidence.
- Perfect for Test Prep – Aligns with NGSS and state assessments that emphasize data analysis.
- Flexible Use – Works as bell ringers, small group practice, homework, or full lessons.
Standards Alignment:
Covers key NGSS 5th Grade Earth Science Standards:
- 5-ESS1-2: Patterns of constellations, seasons, daylight, Moon phases, solar energy
- 5-ESS2-1: Interactions of Earth’s systems (geosphere, hydrosphere, atmosphere, biosphere)
- 5-ESS2-2: Distribution of water on Earth
- 5-ESS3-1: Human impact and protecting Earth’s resources
Also aligned with North Carolina, South Carolina, Arizona, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky 5th-grade Earth Science standards.
Teacher Benefits:
- Engages students in real data analysis instead of rote memorization
- Encourages scientific writing and reasoning
- Provides both print and digital options for flexible classrooms
- Supports crosscutting concepts and Science & Engineering Practices (SEPs)
✨ Give your students the tools to think like scientists! This set will strengthen data literacy, boost test readiness, and make Earth Science meaningful with CER writing supported by evidence from graphs.
Graphs and Alignment to Standards
1. Earth’s Water Distribution (Saltwater vs. Freshwater)
NGSS: 5-ESS2-2 (describe ways water is distributed on Earth)
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.E1U1.6
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.2
North Carolina: 5.E.1.3
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-2
Ohio: Earth Systems – water is unevenly distributed
2. Freshwater Storage on Earth (Glaciers, Groundwater, Lakes & Rivers)
NGSS: 5-ESS2-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.E1U1.6
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.2
North Carolina: 5.E.1.3
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-2
Ohio: Earth Systems – water cycle and distribution
3. Average Daylight Hours by Season
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2 (patterns of day/night and seasonal changes)
Utah SEEd: 5.1.3
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.1
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Ohio: Earth’s cycles – seasons/day length
4. Constellations Visible by Month
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.2
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.2
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Ohio: Earth/Space patterns – constellations
5. Volcano Eruption Impact on Global Temperature
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1 (Earth’s systems interact)
Utah SEEd: 5.1.2
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Earth Systems – geosphere/atmosphere interactions
6. Hurricane Impacts on Earth Systems
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1 (use science to protect resources/environment)
Utah SEEd: 5.3.2
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Earth Systems – natural hazards
7. Rainfall and Drought Conditions
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.2
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Weather/climate impacts
8. Energy Use: Renewable vs. Nonrenewable
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.1
Arizona: 5.E2U1.8
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.1
North Carolina: 5.E.2.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Renewable vs. nonrenewable resources
9. Air Pressure vs. Elevation
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.E1U1.7
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.3
North Carolina: 5.E.1.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Weather – air pressure
10. Rainfall in Different Biomes
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.L4U3.11 (biomes & environment)
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.3
North Carolina: 5.L.2.1 (ecosystems/biomes link)
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Biomes and precipitation
11. Global Water Use by Category (Agriculture, Industry, Household)
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.1
Arizona: 5.E2U1.8
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.1
North Carolina: 5.E.2.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Earth’s resources – human use
12. Daylight Hours by Latitude (Summer Solstice)
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.3
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.1
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Ohio: Earth-Sun patterns
13. Moon Phases in a Lunar Month
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.2
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.2
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Ohio: Earth-Sun-Moon cycles
14. Soil Erosion by Land Type
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Earth Systems – soil/weathering
15. Seasons and Earth’s Tilt
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.3
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.1
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Ohio: Seasons and Earth’s tilt
16. Carbon Dioxide Levels Over Time
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.2
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Human impact on theatmosphere
17. Recycling vs. Landfill Waste Over Time
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.1
Arizona: 5.E2U1.8
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.1
North Carolina: 5.E.2.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Human impact – waste/resources
18. Flood Damage Costs Over Time
NGSS: 5-ESS3-1
Utah SEEd: 5.3.2
Arizona: 5.E2U1.9
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS3-1
Ohio: Natural hazards & human impact
19. Rock Types in Earth’s Crust (Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic)
NGSS: 5-ESS2-1
Utah SEEd: 5.1.1
Arizona: 5.E1U1.6
South Carolina: 5.E.3A.3
North Carolina: 5.E.2.2
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS2-1
Ohio: Rock cycle
20. Solar Energy Reaching Earth by Season
NGSS: 5-ESS1-2
Utah SEEd: 5.1.3
Arizona: 5.E1U1.5
South Carolina: 5.E.3B.1
North Carolina: 5.E.1.1
Indiana/Kentucky: 5-ESS1-2
Check out my blog post on helping students master CER with graph based practice!
