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Claim, Evidence, & Reasoning Writing Scientific Conclusions

Elizabeth Gordon, NBCTMYP & IB Biology Instructor

Me& YouMiddle School?High School?

Biology?Chemistry? Physics?Life Science?

My Dads a Space Alien I have evidence that proves my Dads a space alien.

He speaks a weird language.He drinks green stuff.He says hes from Albuquerque (Im not buying it).I mean, just look at him.And one more thing. He has a space ship.

The evidence doesnt lie.My dads an alien.

www.edutopia.org/blog/science-inquiry-claim-evidence-reasoning-eric-brunsellWhat is a Scientific Explanation?ClaimEvidenceReasoningAdapted from : McNeill, K.L. and J.J. Krajcik. 2012. Supporting Grade 58 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science: The Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning Framework for Talk and Writing. Chapter 2, p. 35. Claim:Evidence for your claim: A statement that answers your question

Scientific data that support the claim Data need to be appropriate Data need to be sufficient (more data = strength!)

Reasoning (how your evidence justifies your claim): Based on scientific principles Each piece of evidence may have a different justification for why it supports the claim Usually several sentences; useful prompts include if, then, therefore, because, sinceQuestion:What do you want to know? Reasoning: The ideas that connect your claim to your evidence. In the case of a scientific example, this is often a scientific rule, theory or fact. Here is where you would explain why a graph or table shows a particular pattern. This is often several sentences long. Useful words and phrases when writing your reasoning include:If, thenThereforeThis supports my claim because

6CER- The FoundationMcNeill, K.L. and J.J. Krajcik. 2012. Supporting Grade 58 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science: The Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning Framework for Talk and Writing.

https://www.nsta.orgCER- The FoundationIn the debate classroom students do more than just memorize and spit back facts, they own and direct their learning

http://budl.org/about/ I have evidence that proves my Dads a space alien.

He speaks a weird language.He drinks green stuff.He says hes from Albuquerque (Im not buying it).I mean, just look at him.And one more thing. He has a space ship.

The evidence doesnt lie.My dads an alien.

Writing an ExplanationClaim:Evidence:Reasoning:Question:Question: Writing an ExplanationClaim:Evidence:Reasoning:Question:Question: Who is my Dad?My Dads a space alienHe speaks a weird languageHes from AlbuquerqueHe drinks green liquidsHe dresses funnyHe drives a spaceshipThe evidence doesnt lie...Writing an ExplanationClaim:Evidence:Reasoning:Question:Question: Who is my Dad?My Dads a space alienHe speaks a weird languageHes from AlbuquerqueHe drinks green liquidsHe dresses funnyHe drives a spaceshipAliens are not from Earth so they have their own languageSome people believe that aliens have landed in NMWhich is why many aliens are seen with green skinAliens wear space suits for protectionAliens use spaceships to travelNGSS- Scientific & Engineering PracticesAsking questions and defining problemsDeveloping and using modelsPlanning and carrying out investigationsAnalyzing and interpreting dataUsing mathematical and computational thinkingConstructing explanations and designing solutionsEngaging in argument from evidenceObtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationNGSS Practices relevant to C-E-RAsking questions and defining problemsDeveloping and using modelsPlanning and carrying out investigationsAnalyzing and interpreting dataUsing mathematical and computational thinkingConstructing explanations and designing solutionsEngaging in argument from evidenceObtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationAsking questions and defining problemsDeveloping and using modelsPlanning and carrying out investigationsAnalyzing and interpreting dataUsing mathematical and computational thinkingConstructing explanations and designing solutionsEngaging in argument from evidenceObtaining, evaluating, and communicating informationNGSS Practices relevant to C-E-RCER- First Try With 2-3 people sitting near you, construct an argument around the topic you are givenYou will have 10 mins total to write your argumentYou may use your cell phones to search for data; data must be numericalRemember to link your data to your claim with reasoning!Write out your argument using C-E-R with the materials provided

CER- My Students 1st Try

Scaffold! Help your students build their skillsIntroduce C-E-R using a non-science example (most successful NFL Quarterback, musical artist, etc.)Include the C-E-R graphic organizer in lab analysisHave students work in pairs/groups Have students work independently

Using C-E-R in the ClassroomModelUse Think Aloud to mentally review C-E-RAlways ask students to articulate evidence and/or reasoning when they are answering questions Encourage students to challenge EACH OTHER in small groups

Using C-E-R in the ClassroomChallenge Have students evaluate each others scientific arguments and provide feedbackAllow students to revisit their original argument and modify/improve itAsk students to add rebuttal to further strengthen their argument students (C-E-R-R) Using C-E-R in the ClassroomRememberC-E-R is not appropriate for every science learning task. Its only appropriate when students make sense of data using scientific principles. Write a scientific explanation about 3 everyday examples of chemical reactions is NOT a good use of C-E-RUsing C-E-R in the ClassroomTake a moment and think about your current course and instructional activities. Where can you easily incorporate C-E-R? Think of a specific task/unit and a question that students can answer using C-E-R.In what ways could you modify other instructional tasks to incorporate C-E-R? Using C-E-R in YOUR ClassroomC-E-R in My ClassroomWhat kind of inheritance is this?

C-E-R in My ClassroomWhich item is the healthier choice?

Breakfast Item ABreakfast Item BC-E-R in My ClassroomWhat kind of cell is this?

10 mThoughts? Questions?

eagordon@bcps.k12.md.us