Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Practice

Claim, Evidence, Reasoning (CER) Practice

Read each scenario carefully. For each scenario, identify the Claim, provide supporting Evidence, and explain the Reasoning that connects the evidence to the claim.

Scenario 1: A scientist observed that a particular type of plant grows far away from its parent plant. She noticed that the seeds of this plant are very light and have feathery structures.

Claim: What is the scientist claiming about how the seeds are dispersed?

Evidence: What observations support this claim?

Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports the claim.

Scenario 2: Two identical plants were placed in different locations. Plant A was placed in a sunny window, and Plant B was placed in a dark closet. After a week, Plant A was taller and greener than Plant B.

Claim: What is a claim you can make about what plants need to grow?

Evidence: What observations support this claim?

Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports the claim.

Scenario 3: A student heated a block of ice in a beaker. The ice melted into water, and then the water boiled and turned into steam.

Claim: What is a claim you can make about the effect of heat on the state of matter?

Evidence: What observations support this claim?

Reasoning: Explain how the evidence supports the claim.

Explain in your own words why it is important to use evidence when making a scientific claim.