Are you looking for a great way to get your students thinking like scientists? Do you want to improve your students’ discussion and argumentation skills? Maybe you’re a science teacher tasked with supporting a school-wide focus on reading and writing… Either way, we’ve got a game-changer for you – CER Science Writing! It’s not just a trendy teaching tool that will be replaced by the next initiative in a year or two; it’s a ticket to excitement, engagement, and scientific exploration, while also giving your students a chance to develop their scientific writing skills.
Short on time? Grab a no-prep CER science activity now.
What is a CER?
CER stands for Claim, Evidence, Reasoning. This is a writing strategy to help students develop scientific arguments. Usually, a CER activity starts with an engaging open-ended prompt. Then students analyze some data, read a text, and/or watch a video related to the prompt. Next, the students use the information they learned to create a claim that answers a prompt. Then students identify the evidence from the source that supports their claim. Finally, they explain how their evidence supports their claim using their scientific knowledge and vocabulary. The CER can be written as a paragraph or a more detailed paper.
Why CER Science Writing Rocks
Promotes Critical Thinking
The CER writing strategy requires students to analyze information, make claims, and provide evidence to support those claims. This process encourages critical thinking and helps students develop analytical skills.
Encourages Scientific Inquiry
By engaging in CER, students learn to think like scientists. They formulate hypotheses, gather evidence, and draw conclusions based on their observations and data. This is all part of “doing science.”
Develops Communication Skills
CER emphasizes the importance of clear and effective communication. Students learn to articulate their claims, present supporting evidence, and provide reasoning to justify their conclusions, enhancing their communication skills. They’re also practicing important research and writing skills that will benefit them across content areas.
Strengthens Understanding
Engaging in the CER process deepens students’ understanding of scientific concepts. By constructing explanations and justifying their reasoning, students solidify their comprehension and retention of the material.
Increases Engagement
CER provides a framework for interactive and inquiry-based learning, which can increase student engagement in science class. By actively participating in constructing explanations and supporting arguments, students become more invested in their learning.
Buzzworthy CER Science Topics
Captivating topics and prompts are the secret sauce to an amazing CER activity. When your students are passionate about the content, eager to dig into the research, and excited about debating the topic with their peers, CERs flow much better. Your students will be doing the heavy lifting, while you act as the guide on the side helping them formulate their arguments.
Here are a few examples that have been successful in my middle school Science and STEM classes.
- Do you think medical professionals and researchers should have the rights to people’s biological materials (e.g., blood, cell samples, tissues, organs, etc.)?
- Do you think autonomous cars will make our roads more or less safe? Why? Use evidence from the text and video to support your claim.
- Should sound be used to deter teenagers from loitering in public spaces?
- What effect do robots have on our lives today? What will be the impact as their numbers continue to increase?
- Should humans prioritize the preservation of Earth’s caves and underground formations?
Embracing CER Science Writing in Middle School Classrooms
Incorporating CER science writing into your middle school classroom is more than just a teaching strategy – it’s a transformative tool that empowers students to think critically, communicate effectively, and engage deeply with scientific concepts. By guiding students through the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning process, educators can cultivate a learning environment where curiosity thrives, inquiry flourishes, and understanding deepens. From promoting scientific inquiry to honing communication skills, CER science writing prepares students for success not only in science but also in their academic and professional journeys ahead. So why wait? Embrace the power of CER science writing today and witness the excitement, engagement, and growth it brings to your classroom.
Looking for more support with CER Science Writing?
Check out these done-for-you CER activities that will excite and inspire your middle school students!
What’s included in the CER resources?
- Detailed teacher notes to assist with facilitation and lesson planning
- Printable PDF, Easel, and Google versions of the student worksheets
- Embedded links to quality background research texts and video clips
- Video guide and annotation key to support students in gathering evidence
- Graphic organizers to support the CER scientific writing process
- Easy-to-use grading rubric and answer key
Grab a CER resource today, so that you can take a break from planning and know your students will still be engaged and learning!