1. Claim, Evidence, & Reasoning — Writing Scientific Conclusions
Elizabeth Gordon, NBCT
MYP & IB Biology Instructor

2. Me… & You… Middle School? High School?
Biology? Chemistry? Physics? Life Science?

3. My Dad’s a Space Alien

4. The evidence doesn’t lie.
I have evidence that proves
my Dad’s a space alien.
He speaks a weird language.
He drinks green stuff.
He says he’s from Albuquerque (I’m not buying it).
I mean, just look at him.
And one more thing. He has a space ship.
The evidence doesn’t lie.
My dad’s an alien.

5. What is a Scientific Explanation? Claim Evidence Reasoning

6. • A statement that answers your question
What do you want to know?
Claim:
• A statement that answers your question
Evidence for your claim:
• 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”, “since”
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, then
Therefore
This supports my claim because…
Adapted from : McNeill, K.L. and J.J. Krajcik Supporting Grade 5–8 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science: The Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning Framework for Talk and Writing. Chapter 2, p. 35.

7. CER- The Foundation https://www.nsta.org
McNeill, K.L. and J.J. Krajcik Supporting Grade 5–8 Students in Constructing Explanations in Science: The Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning Framework for Talk and Writing.

8. CER- The Foundation
“…In the debate classroom students do more than just memorize and spit back facts, they own and direct their learning…”

9. The evidence doesn’t lie.
I have evidence that proves
my Dad’s a space alien.
He speaks a weird language.
He drinks green stuff.
He says he’s from Albuquerque (I’m not buying it).
I mean, just look at him.
And one more thing. He has a space ship.
The evidence doesn’t lie.
My dad’s an alien.

10. Writing an Explanation
Question: …
Question:
Claim:
Evidence:
Reasoning: … …

11. Writing an Explanation
Question: Who is my Dad?
Question:
Claim:
My Dad’s a space alien
Evidence:
He speaks a weird language
He’s from Albuquerque
He drinks green liquids
He dresses funny
He drives a spaceship
Reasoning:
The evidence doesn’t lie...

12. Writing an Explanation
Question: Who is my Dad?
Question:
Claim:
My Dad’s a space alien
Evidence:
Reasoning:
He speaks a weird language
He’s from Albuquerque
He drinks green liquids
He dresses funny
He drives a spaceship
Aliens are not from Earth so they have their own language
Some people believe that aliens have landed in NM
Which is why many aliens are seen with green skin
Aliens wear space suits for protection
Aliens use spaceships to travel

13. NGSS- Scientific & Engineering Practices
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematical and computational thinking
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

14. NGSS Practices relevant to C-E-R
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematical and computational thinking
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

15. NGSS Practices relevant to C-E-R
Asking questions and defining problems
Developing and using models
Planning and carrying out investigations
Analyzing and interpreting data
Using mathematical and computational thinking
Constructing explanations and designing solutions
Engaging in argument from evidence
Obtaining, evaluating, and communicating information

16. CER- First Try
With 2-3 people sitting near you, construct an argument around the topic you are given
You will have 10 mins total to write your argument
You may use your cell phones to search for “data”; data must be numerical
Remember to link your data to your claim with reasoning!
Write out your argument using C-E-R with the materials provided

17. CER- My Students 1st Try

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

19. Using C-E-R in the Classroom Model
Use “Think Aloud” to mentally review C-E-R
Always ask students to articulate evidence and/or reasoning when they are answering questions
Encourage students to challenge EACH OTHER in small groups

20. Using C-E-R in the Classroom Challenge
Have students evaluate each other’s scientific arguments and provide feedback
Allow students to revisit their original argument and modify/improve it
Ask students to add rebuttal to further strengthen their argument students (C-E-R-R)

21. Using C-E-R in the Classroom Remember…
C-E-R is not appropriate for every science learning task. It’s 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-R

22. Using C-E-R in YOUR Classroom
Take 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?

23. What kind of inheritance is this?
C-E-R in My Classroom
What kind of inheritance is this?

24. Which item is the healthier choice?
C-E-R in My Classroom
Which item is the healthier choice?
Breakfast Item A
Breakfast Item B

25. What kind of cell is this?
C-E-R in My Classroom
What kind of cell is this?
10 µm

26. Thoughts? Questions?