Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) for Sensemaking
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As K-12 science educators, we all strive to cultivate genuine scientific literacy in our students. Beyond memorizing facts, we want them to think like scientists and engineers, to question, investigate, and most importantly, to argue from evidence. This critical skill is a cornerstone of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and a vital part of helping students make sense of the world around them.
One of the most effective and widely adopted tools for explicitly teaching this science and engineering practice is the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) framework. CER is a powerful scaffold that integrates scientific writing and argumentation, guiding students to construct clear, supported arguments.
What Exactly is CER?
At its core, CER is a three-step process designed to help students think critically and articulate their scientific ideas.
Claim (C): This is your students' statement or opinion about a scientific concept or phenomenon. It's the answer to a posed question or observation.
Evidence (E): This is the data or research that directly supports the claim. Evidence can be quantitative (numbers) or qualitative (observations).
Reasoning (R): This is the most crucial and often most challenging part. The reasoning explains the logic that connects the evidence to the claim. A helpful tip is to tell students that the "R" stands for the "scientific rule" – they need to explain why the data counts as evidence using appropriate scientific principles or rules.
By explicitly teaching CER, you're simplifying the complex task of argumentation for students who are still developing higher-order thinking skills.
Navigating the Challenges: Pain Points and Solutions
While CER is powerful, implementing it effectively comes with its own set of pain points. Here's how to address them:
The CER framework is a powerful tool that, when taught explicitly and supported with appropriate scaffolds, can transform your students into confident scientific thinkers capable of constructing robust, evidence-based arguments. Embrace this strategy to deepen their understanding, improve retention, and truly prepare them for success in science and beyond.
3 Resources to Dig Deeper…
Why is Teaching CER So Important?
Practical Tips for Teaching CER Like a Pro
Engaging in Arguments from Evidence - Appendix F - Framework for K-12 Science Instruction
2 Questions to Ponder & Discuss
How do you currently introduce the Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning (CER) model to your students, and what strategies do you employ to effectively 'hook' them and make the concept relatable before transitioning to scientific applications?
“Two Stars and a Wish” - Identify two benefits of incorporating CER into your lessons and one area you will need help implementing this strategy.
1 Action to Take
The next time you assess student understanding of CER, have students highlight the claim, evidence, and reasoning in different colors to assist them in thinking through their claim. Use this “highly effective strategy" to quickly identify struggling students and make grading easier.