How CLEAR maps to the Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills
CLEAR = Claim · Lens · Evidence · Alternatives · Response. This game builds the ELAR Comprehension & Inquiry strands and Social Studies critical-thinking process skills (grades 3–8).
- Claim & Evidence:
ELA 3–8.6.F make inferences and use evidence to support understanding; 3–8.6.G evaluate details to determine what is most important.
- Lens (assumptions/bias):
ELA 3–8.9.E author's purpose & craft / point of view; recognizing one's own perspective.
- Evidence sorting (strong vs. weak):
ELA 6–8.12.J & inquiry strand .13 examine sources for credibility; SS 8.29.B drawing inferences and conclusions.
- Alternatives: SS critical-thinking
.29 compare, contrast, identify cause-and-effect, consider multiple viewpoints.
- Response:
ELA 3–8.7.C/E use text evidence to support an appropriate response; speaking/listening to defend or challenge a claim.
Classroom use: Project on the board for a whole-class "case crack," assign at a center, or pair students as detective partners. Each case takes ~5–8 minutes. After solving, have students invent their own case file using the same 5 steps. No login, no internet needed — one file works offline. Share by sending the file or hosting it and embedding via iframe in Google Sites.
Based on the CLEAR Thinking Process · A critical-thinking checklist for young detectives.