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Instructional Leadership for Science Practices

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Focal Science Practices:

Asking questions

Developing and using models

Planning and carrying out investigations

Analyzing and interpreting data

Using mathematical and computational thinking

Constructing explanations

Engaging in argument from evidence

Obtaining, evaluating and communicating information

Related NGSS Performance Expectations:
2-ESS2-1: Compare multiple solutions designed to slow or prevent wind or water from changing the shape of the land

This video is courtesy of the Teaching Channel and the video series: Building Towards NGSS Classrooms. Video Link: Making Claims from Evidence

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Focal Science Practices: Asking questions Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematical and computational thinking...

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Instructional Leadership for Science Practices

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Focal Science Practices: Asking questions Developing and using models Planning and carrying out investigations Analyzing and interpreting data Using mathematical and computational thinking…

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NGSS Evidence Statements provide educators with additional detail on what students should know and be able to do. These Evidence Statements describe a detailed look at the NGSS performance expectations.

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NGSS Appendices | Next Generation Science Standards

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Appendix M: Connections to CCSS-Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects Learn about the connections to Common Core State Standards (CCSS)- Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects in the NGSS.

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NGSS Evidence Statements provide educators with additional detail on what students should know and be able to do. These Evidence Statements describe a detailed look at the NGSS performance expectations.

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ATTENTION Educators: Due to a recent Google Drive security update the majority of the links on this webpage including the curriculum guides are currently not working. Our team is working on developing a solution, please be patient as we work to restore access to curriculum materials.

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Science classroom video resources for teacher learning

Free for a limited time with coupon code: FREEACCESS

Videos of science classrooms provide opportunities for rich analysis of classroom instruction, teacher moves, and student thinking. BSCS Science Learning has made our best K-12 videos and associated resources available for teacher learning and growth. How to use Videoverse

Explore what BSCS Videoverse has to offer!

BSCS Videoverse takes you inside classrooms with a growing collection of 2-20 minute video clips spanning a variety of topics including:

Science Discipline

Science Topic

Grade Band and Grade Level

Activity Focus

Science and Engineering Practice

Crosscutting Concept

Many videos also come with associated resources, including: transcripts with context for the video content, lesson plans, student handouts, and other teacher materials.

Who will benefit from the BSCS Videoverse?

We launched BSCS Videoverse to support a variety of science educator audiences:

Preservice Educators

Preservice teacher educators using video resources in their teacher preparation programs.

Teachers

Teachers looking to enhance their own instructional practices.

PL Leaders

Professional learning leaders working with groups of science teachers.

Researchers

Researchers considering growth in student understanding or the impact of different teacher moves in classroom settings.

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Science classroom video resources for teacher learning

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Guest Post Written By Sockmonkey Science

Science comes naturally to most elementary students. After all, observing phenomena and problem solving is the way their young minds develop. However, I notice that although my students are able to tackle big issues and come up with creative solutions, they have difficulty articulating their conclusions scientifically. They can't tell me WHY or HOW. Justifying their work logically is a huge part of what they should be learning in my class, but it always seems to be the area we are most lacking in.

For a long time, I tried following the scientific method to help students explain their thought processes. However, the steps aren't always clear and also seem to vary from publisher to publisher, causing confusion for students (and teachers) as they advance to higher grade levels. Recently, I stumbled across the Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) model, and I feel like this simple graphic organizer based approach is something that will really help my students write scientifically and prepare them for more rigorous lab reports in high school.

What is CER?

CER is a writing strategy that helps students analyze information and experiences in an organized, concise manner. The process for elementary students usually starts with a question or prompt from the teacher relating to a scientific concept they are familiar with. The students then use the CER method to answer the question (or make a claim) providing both evidence and reasoning. Seems simple, right? That's because it is! Well, it should be, anyway. Students generally have NO problem making a claim, or even stringing together some evidence to support it, but when it comes to providing the reasoning that connects the claim and evidence students tend to freeze up.

The good news is with proper introduction, scaffolding, and practice, CER should dramatically improve your students' scientific reasoning and writing skills. The GREAT news is that you can turn almost anything into a CER moment. In fact, many educators suggest introducing the concept with something that ISN'T science-related.

One of the best examples I have seen of this comes from Trevor Register, who shows an Audi television commercial, "My Dad's an Alien" to introduce using CER. The commercial shows a young girl listing the evidence of why she believes her father is an alien, and students must decide for themselves if he is indeed an alien. The commercial is pretty straightforward, and the content leads to some thought-provoking and creative discussion from students.

OK, OK...That's great, but how do you use this with actual scientific concepts you are teaching?

Here is an example.

Juan brought his lunch to school in a brown paper bag. Once he has finished, there is nothing left in the bag. However, his friend Mia disagrees. She believes the bag contains air. Who is correct?

So, this option leaves two ways to use CER. The first option is to simply provide students with a data table showing the physical properties of the bag (like mass and volume) when it is full of lunch as opposed to when it is only full of air. The second option, which I prefer, would allow students to conduct the investigation and gather the data. Have students measure the mass of the bag when it is full of lunch, when it is open and empty, as well as when it is inflated with air and closed. Then allow them to make a claim based on their own data, and provide the evidence and reasoning to substantiate their claim!

If you aren't sure how to start incorporating CER into YOUR classroom, Model Teaching has a great article, checklist, and graphic organizer available to download free here.

I have also started creating some CER prompts to tackle real-world science issues! Check it out!

If you like this post, you may like these:

About the Author: Mary is the mother of two amazing little boys. When she is not changing diapers, she is mom blogging, teaching elementary science and creating science resources to share with other teachers. She will complete her M. Ed. later this year, and hopes to become a school counselor in the near future! You can find her on Sockmonkey Science, TPT, Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest, and even subscribe to her blog by email for some cool surprise freebies!
If you like it, then pin it!
Thanks for reading!

Christine Weis is a passionate educator, classroom management coach, wife, and mom of two busy boys. She enjoys teaching, writing, and creating resources for teachers.

Filed Under: Blog

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Claim Evidence Reasoning: Using the C.E.R. Model for Scientific Writing in Elementary - For The Love of Teachers

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CER (Claim, Evidence, Reasoning) is a writing strategy that helps students analyze information and experiences in science.

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teaching methods & materials - science & technology

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education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

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education / teaching methods & materials / science & technology

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education/teaching methods & materials - general

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science - study and teaching (elementary) - united states

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teaching methods & materials - science & technology

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education / teaching methods & materials / reading & phonics

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education / teaching methods & materials / science & technology

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.keywords[]
education/teaching methods & materials - general

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Science Notebooks, Second Edition: Writing About Inquiry

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Amazon.com: Science Notebooks, Second Edition: Writing About Inquiry (9780325056593): Fulton, Lori, Campbell, Brian: Books