Unit 3 - Lesson 2: Using Research to Support Argumentation
Do-Now Question
If you were trying to prove a point and wanted to make a strong argument, how would you go about doing this? (2-3 sentences)
Lesson Objectives
- Students will be able to make claims supported by scientific evidence derived from research.
- Students will be able to synthesize research findings from multiple sources.
Argumentation: Claim-Evidence-Reasoning
In the science classroom, we use the Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) approach to help us structure our arguments. Whenever we face a question we must answer, we start with a Claim, a concise statement that responds to the question. Then, we support our claim with Evidence, which includes any facts, numbers, statistics, or observations we make through research or experimentation. In our case, this will come from the scientific articles we read and extract information from. Lastly, the Reasoning answers the question: "How does this evidence make my claim true?" This approach helps you to make a well-supported argument. Watch this video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGOxVIgmGWE) about CERs, and while you watch it, think about why it is important to use evidence from reliable (and not unreliable) sources.
In order to create a well-supported argument in research, it is also important that we take evidence from multiple sources. We call this synthesizing information from multiple sources, and it helps confirm that the findings from one source are valid and trustworthy. In the activity below, we will practice synthesizing information from more than one source and using it to support an argument.
Argumentation Activity
Instructions: Read the following two articles. After reading the articles, complete this worksheet (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1kt3RpB853TQYo77c6b5R MFifIfsynGB0Wy8LFL1mBCM/copy) by responding to the question below in the style of a CER.
Question: How do storms impact coastal ecosystems?
Article 1: How do storms impact coastal ecosystems? (https://www.sciencejournalforkids.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/ tropical-cyclones_article.pdf)
Article 2: The Many Effects of Flooding (https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/many-effects-flooding/)
Be sure to submit your copy of the worksheet on Google Classroom!