CLAIM-EVIDENCE-REASONING (CER) IN THE SCIENCE CLASSROOM

Section 1 – Introduction to Claim, Evidence, Reasoning & Scientific Argumentation

Learn the meaning of CER, the three components of CER and how to use CER as a writing framework in the science classroom.

Section 2.1 – The Claim

Learn what makes a solid claim, how to introduce claim writing to your students, and how to create an activity that supports a strong claim. Then, using the CER activity template, reflect on how you could take an activity at your grade level to align to specific claims students can make.

Section 2.2 – The Evidence

Learn what is included in the evidence component of CER, how to identify and define relevant evidence, and how to verify the evidence in labs and activities will support the claim. Then, using the Evidence Reference Guide and the CER Evidence Template resource, reflect on the specific data that could be generated for your chosen activity.

Section 2.3 – The Reasoning

Learn what is included in the reasoning component of CER, how to introduce reasoning to students, and challenges your students may face when writing their reasoning. Then, using the Reasoning Challenges Reference Sheet and Reasoning Template, reflect on the anticipated challenges your students may have when designing reasoning statements.

Section 3 – How to Write an Appropriate Question for CER Responses

Learn how to write an effective CER question and how to modify and edit ineffective CER questions so they will lead to strong claim writing. Then, utilize the Question Checklist Tool and the Question Writing template to reflect on how to design well- aligned questions that will produce a strong claim.

Section 4 – Modifications for CER

Learn why CER assignments may need to be modified and ways to modify the CER process. Then, refer to the CER Modification Reference Guide and the CER Modification template and reflect on way you can edit you CER lesson to better fit the needs of students in your class.

Section 5 – CER Implementation

Learn how to introduce CER into your classroom, some teaching strategies you can use to implement CER, and how to grade and provide feedback on CER responses. Then, reflect on which instructional strategies you can use to best implement CER into a classroom of your grade level.