The claim, evidence, and reasoning (CER) model is a method for teaching students to think and write scientifically. By going beyond simple one-word responses, this model encourages students to engage in a more comprehensive and analytical approach. Using this human impact CER resource, your students will learn to make a claim, justify their answer with data, and connect the data with scientific reasoning. This process helps students understand the importance of evidence-based arguments and cultivates their scientific literacy.
The importance of the CER model is especially evident when aligned with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Virtually every unit of study incorporates standards that lend themselves well to the CER model. Integrating the CER model into the curriculum provides students with a systematic framework to approach scientific investigations and inquiries.
A perfect addition to any Human Impact Unit, this resource offers a comprehensive tool to introduce and practice the CER model with your students. It equips educators with all the necessary materials and guidelines to facilitate the implementation of the CER model effectively.
To cater to the diverse needs of students, this resource includes four differentiated versions of each question prompt. The differentiated versions provide varying levels of scaffolding, allowing educators to meet students at their individual skill levels. The versions range from a basic question with no scaffolding to questions with the claim, evidence, or reasoning partially completed, challenging students to fill in the missing components.
Additionally, an error analysis activity is included, which prompts students to critically evaluate a CER response written by someone else. This activity helps students develop their analytical skills by identifying and discussing potential errors or areas for improvement.
Rubrics and handy reminders for students regarding what to do for each part of the CER are included in both the print and digital versions.
Topics Covered in this Resource:
- distribution of natural resources (MS-ESS3-1)
- human population growth (MS-ESS3-4)
- global warming (MS-ESS3-5)
Who is this human impact CER resource for?
This resource can be used by classroom teachers, tutors, and parents of students in grades 6-9. It provides a variety of practice covering the mentioned topics.
How Can I Use this Resource?
- Formative or Summative assessment
- Pretest
- Warm Up/Bellringer activity
- Emergency Sub Plans
- An independent work station in a set of stations
- Differentiation – Assign this quiz as reteaching for students who have yet to show mastery.
- Homework
- Creation of Independent Work Packet for students who are not able to be present for direct instruction.
- Extension activity for early finishers or for students who show a special interest in the topic
- Use as a square on a Choice Board
- Use the questions individually as a warm up or closure activity
What’s Included in this Human Impact CER?
- An introduction to the CER model of scientific writing
- A digital version of all included items
- CER conversation starters (printable!)
- Blank CER graphic organizer templates
- 4 CER question prompts for students
- 2 CER rubrics
Purchase includes a printable PDF file in color. On page 2 of this resource you will find a link to a student friendly Google Slide version of this file. You will be able to copy this file and use it with Google Classroom or any other paperless initiative.
Please take a look at the preview file to see more of this resource.
Please note that an answer key is not provided. The goal of this resource is to provide students the opportunity to explore various perspectives and develop their unique responses.
NGSS STANDARDS COVERED WITH THIS HUMAN IMPACT CER RESOURCE:
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. Emphasis is on how these resources are limited and typically non-renewable, and how their distributions are significantly changing as a result of removal by humans. Examples of uneven distributions of resources as a result of past processes include but are not limited to petroleum (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), metal ores (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity associated with subduction zones), and soil (locations of active weathering and/or deposition of rock).
Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Examples of factors include human activities (such as fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and agricultural activity) and natural processes (such as changes in incoming solar radiation or volcanic activity). Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures, atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the rates of human activities. Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures.
Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems. Examples of evidence include grade-appropriate databases on human populations and the rates of consumption of food and natural resources (such as freshwater, mineral, and energy). Examples of impacts can include changes to the appearance, composition, and structure of Earth’s systems as well as the rates at which they change. The consequences of increases in human populations and consumption of natural resources are described by science, but science does not make the decisions for the actions society takes.
Construct a scientific explanation based on evidence for how the uneven distributions of Earth’s mineral, energy, and groundwater resources are the result of past and current geoscience processes. Emphasis is on how these resources are limited and typically non-renewable, and how their distributions are significantly changing as a result of removal by humans. Examples of uneven distributions of resources as a result of past processes include but are not limited to petroleum (locations of the burial of organic marine sediments and subsequent geologic traps), metal ores (locations of past volcanic and hydrothermal activity associated with subduction zones), and soil (locations of active weathering and/or deposition of rock).
Ask questions to clarify evidence of the factors that have caused the rise in global temperatures over the past century. Examples of factors include human activities (such as fossil fuel combustion, cement production, and agricultural activity) and natural processes (such as changes in incoming solar radiation or volcanic activity). Examples of evidence can include tables, graphs, and maps of global and regional temperatures, atmospheric levels of gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, and the rates of human activities. Emphasis is on the major role that human activities play in causing the rise in global temperatures.
Construct an argument supported by evidence for how increases in human population and per-capita consumption of natural resources impact Earth’s systems. Examples of evidence include grade-appropriate databases on human populations and the rates of consumption of food and natural resources (such as freshwater, mineral, and energy). Examples of impacts can include changes to the appearance, composition, and structure of Earth’s systems as well as the rates at which they change. The consequences of increases in human populations and consumption of natural resources are described by science, but science does not make the decisions for the actions society takes.
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My store features 3 full-year middle school science curriculums comprised of over 22 units of study.
Each and every unit comes includes the following:
- A unit guide complete with key vocabulary, suggested pacing, essential questions, and more!
- Google Slides presentations to cover major topics, with guided notes for students!
- Reading Comprehension activities with follow up questions. These resources are useful for homework, classwork, sub plans, and more!
- Assessment: Pretest, study guide, CERs, and final assessment.
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- Webquests, color by number, stations, and other practice activities.
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