1. Claims Evidence Reasoning CER Anchor Charts
Division of Academics – Department of Science

2. Claim Evidence Reasoning CER
Claim: (The answer to the question)
Evidence: (All the evidence you gathered from hands-on investigations, readings, videos, etc. )
The evidence includes the clues: the observations made and the data collected.
Reasoning: (Why you think the answer is correct.)
The reasoning explains how the evidence helps answer the question.
CER Anchor Chart
Division of Academics – Department of Science

3. Claims Evidence Reasoning
When you make a scientific explanation, be sure to include:
1. The question you will answer.
The evidence that helps  answer your question.
Your claim or what you think the answer is.
Your reasoning or why you think the answer is correct.
CER anchor chart
Division of Academics – Department of Science

4. Division of Academics – Department of Science
Getting Started
First think about:
Use your resources:
What is a possible claim?
Where can you find your evidence?
What science words will
you want to include?
Where can you find science and other words to help you write?
Observations and data from hands-on activities
Videos
Reading passages
Science notebook
Your textbook
Classroom charts, word walls and bulletin boards
CER anchor chart:
Ask students how they think they should get started.
Ask what is a possible claim?
Ask students what resources they have that will help them? If necessary, point out the anchor charts, word walls, and notes / activities in their science notebooks.
Say let’s see how a textbook page can help. See next slide.
Division of Academics – Department of Science

5. Division of Academics – Department of Science
Writing Scaffolds
Sentence Starters:
Writing Words:
My evidence to support my claim is…
The data…
According to the text…
On page ___, it said …
The author wrote…
For instance…
From the reading, I know that…
The graphic showed…
For example…
My evidence supports my claim because…
My claim is true because…
“Uncertainty” words:
usually, generally,
suggests, indicates
Sequencing words: first, second, third,
Next, last
Therefore
Because
If… Then…
However
CER Anchor Charts
Division of Academics – Department of Science

6. Show Your Evidence/Reasoning Sentence Starters:
My evidence to support my claim is…
The data…
According to the text…
On page ___, it said …
The author wrote…
For instance…
From the reading, I know that…
The graphic showed…
For example…
I know this because …
My evidence supports my claim because…
My claim is true because…
CER Anchor Charts
Division of Academics – Department of Science

7. Division of Academics – Department of Science
Writing Words:
“Uncertainty” words: usually, generally,
suggests, indicates
Sequencing words: first, second, third,
Next, last
For example
Therefore
Because
If… Then…
However
Division of Academics – Department of Science

8. Division of Academics – Department of Science
Claim
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.
Explain each part…
The evidence includes the clues: the observations made and the data collected.
Division of Academics – Department of Science

9. Division of Academics – Department of Science
Evidence
The evidence is all the scientific data that supports your claim.
It can come from a variety of sources such as:
lab investigation, textbook, reading selections,
videos, news reports, 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.
Division of Academics – Department of Science

10. Division of Academics – Department of Science
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.
Division of Academics – Department of Science

11. Getting Started: Prewriting Science Ideas K - 2
What is a possible claim?
What science words will you want to include?
Where will you look for your evidence?
What sentence starters can you use to present your evidence?
What writing words can you use?
Prewriting: What can you do to help your students? Ask the above questions for support. Help them think through the science ideas. Talk about a writing words they might include.
(You can gradually reduce support.)

12. Show Your Evidence Grades K-2
Sentence Starters
Writing Words
I observed…
I learned…
I noticed that …
I know this because …
One difference between_________ and ________ is ________.
Sequencing words:
first, second, third,
next, last
Because
usually, suggests, indicates
Help students with writing words they might include
Division of Academics – Department of Science

13. Providing Feedback on a Student’s CER
What to Comment on:
How to Comment:
Components of the explanation:
- claim
- evidence
- reasoning (grades 3-5)
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
Division of Academics - Department of Science

14. CER Grading Rubric