Writing a CER Science teachers

Claims Claims are the statements that answer your original question. The claim must be accurate, specific, and answer the question. The claim is usually one sentence in length. Helping students succeed—Before they write Talk about why you’re using the CER framework: This is how you make an argument or explanation convincing. This is what scientists do. Explain each part.

Evidence The evidence is all the scientific data that supports your claim. It can come from a variety of sources such as: textbook, reading selections, videos, lab investigations, class notes, etc. It should include both qualitative and quantitative data. It is important to have numerous pieces of evidence in order to prove your claim. Explain each part… The evidence includes the clues: the observations made and the data collected.

Reasoning Reasoning is the explanation that connects your claim to the evidence that supports it or why you think your claim (answer to the question) is correct . It shows why the data you chose counts as evidence. It shows a detailed understanding of the scientific principles involved and uses correct science vocabulary. This explanation acts as a conclusion. If evidence is from an experiment, it can be the “conclusion” of the lab. It is usually several sentences in length. Explain each part… Reasoning is why the scientists think their answer is correct. Scientists explain how the evidence helps answer the question.

Show Your Evidence Sentence Starters According to the text… On page ___, it said … The author wrote… For instance… From the reading, I know that… Based on what I read… The graphic showed… For example… Help students with writing words they might include

Writing Words “Uncertainty” words: usually, generally, suggests, indicates Sequencing words: first, second, third Therefore Because If… Then… However Additional writing words students might want to include.

Sample CER C: I claim that the rock is not alive E: Rock is not made of cells Rock does not reproduce Rock does not maintain homeostasis Rock does not respond to stimuli R: Rocks are made of minerals, not cells. Minerals are not organic. Rocks undergo weathering and erosion and can break apart, but that is not the same thing as sexual or asexual reproduction. A rock does not have “parents”. Rocks do not need to maintain homeostasis because there is not internal environment to maintain. Rocks don’t respond to stimuli.

Another Sample CER The shark population will die out.(Claim) The shark eats other fish such as the ocean fish and the lantern fish. The ocean fish and the lantern fish eat other organisms such as shrimp and copepods. The shrimp and copepods eat the phytoplankton. (Evidence) Phytoplankton are producers and they make their own food from the sun. All of the other organisms in the food web depend on the phytoplankton, even if they do not directly eat them. If the phytoplankton die, primary consumers (shrimp and copepods) will die because they will have no food which will cause the secondary consumers (ocean fish and lantern fish) to die, which will cause the shark to die. (Reasoning)

THE END!

Providing Feedback on a Student’s CER What to Comment on: How to Comment: Components of the explanation: - claim - evidence - reasoning Science content of explanation Holistic quality of explanation Explicit and clear feedback Point out strengths and weaknesses Provide suggestions on how to improve Ask questions to promote deeper thinking Department of Mathematics and Science

When can a CER be used? Use it to engage in structured, argumentation to explain a scientific concept. Use it after an experiment to explain why a hypothesis was proven correct or not. Use it to justify an answer choice for a multiple (FCAT type) test question is correct. Use it to discuss claims made in videos or documentaries.

After an Experiment

Multiple Choice Question Claim – The correct answer choice is … Evidence - Facts from background information - Data from the table or graph if applicable Reasoning - Reasons for excluding other answer choices - Scientific background knowledge that explains why the answer is correct beyond what is given in the graph, table or background information.

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning after Viewing a Video or a Documentary What is the claim the reporter is making? What evidence does he or she cite in the report that supports that claim? What is the scientific explanation?

CER Resources McNeill, K. L. & Krajcik, J. 2011. Supporting grade 5-8 students in constructing explanations in science: The claim, evidence and reasoning framework for talk and writing. New York, NY: Pearson & Bacon. McNeill, K. and Martin, D. 2011. Claims, Evidence, and Reasoning: Demystifying data during a unit on simple machines. Science and Children, 48(8). cosmos.bgsu.edu/nwoSymposium/2013%20stuff/PresenterMaterial/Claim%20Evidence%20Reasoning%20(Elizabeth%20Buckholtz)%20NWO%20Symposium,%202013.pdf

Agenda Review of Key Objectives and Critical Success Factors How Did We Do? Organizational Overview Top Issues Facing Company Review of and Progress Against Prior Goals Key Spending Areas Headcount Goals for Next Period

Review of Key Objectives and Critical Success Factors What makes company unique What makes company successful Shared vision Review key undertakings of past year

How Did We Do? Brief overview of performance against each objective

Organizational Overview Introduction and broad goals of each organization Any changes Name and position

Top Issues Facing Company Address any high profile issues

Review of Prior Goals Financial Competitive Progress

Progress Against Goals Summary of key financial results Revenue Profit Key spending areas Headcount

Revenue and Profit Forecast vs. actual Gross margin Important trends Compare company to rest of market Use multiple slides to break out meaningful detail

Key Spending Areas Research and Development Sales and Marketing General and Administration Areas of improvement Areas needing attention/caution

Headcount Goals Results

Goals for Next Period Strategic undertakings Financial goals Other key efforts

Summary Summarize key successes/challenges Reiterate key goals Thanks