CER Claim Evidence Reasoning Science Worksheets

About this resource

Teaching CER and need science scenarios students can actually argue from? This is a complete writing unit for grades 6-8: a Claim, Evidence, Reasoning handout, a word match, a page on reading a data table, two worked examples that say why each part works, then 12 original science scenarios, each with a small data table, a question and three color-coded writing boxes. Scenarios cover physical science (which cup melts ice fastest, ball and ramp, sugar in warm and cold water, sink or float), life science (does a plant need light, cricket chirps, seeds and water, pill bug choice) and earth science (color and sunlight, water on a slope, what kind of rock is it, salt and freezing water).

The writing frames come in three steps up, marked by a circle, a square and a triangle so students do not compare numbers: full sentence stems to finish, short starters, and blank boxes. Two sheets of weak-or-strong evidence (made-up student sentences) teach students to check numbers against the table. A partner check, a self check and a teacher rubric scored 0 to 3 for each part close the loop, and sample responses are included for all 12 scenarios.

EVERYTHING INSIDE (43 pages)

• 25 student pages in 10 types of page, each with a "My name" line and one short instruction
• 75 scored items on 19 scored pages
• A Claim, Evidence, Reasoning handout; a word match with 3 sort-the-sentence items; a read-a-data-table sheet; a sheet explaining the three kinds of frame
• 2 worked examples (friction, yeast and sugar) with the reason each part works
• 12 science scenarios with data tables: 4 physical, 4 life, 4 earth science; 4 with full sentence stems, 4 with starters, 4 with blank boxes
• 6 weak-or-strong evidence problems over two sheets (made-up student sentences)
• 1 partner check and 1 self check (8 yes or not yet lines)
• 18 cut-and-paste pieces on 3 sort mats (claim, evidence and reasoning, twice; strong or weak evidence)
• 1 rubric and scoring grid; four sheets of sample responses and answer keys
• 1 tracker, 1 class grid, 1 team note, 1 family page
• 1 filled example (an invented student), 1 phrase bank (17 starters in 6 groups), 1 binder cover and 6 divider tabs with a spine label to cut out
• Start Here and a Teacher Notes page

Built For The Student Holding The Page

A "My name" line, one short instruction with a small picture cue, a plain scalloped border and writing boxes with real room: Claim is blue, Evidence is green and Reasoning is rust, so a student can see the three parts at a glance. Nothing on a student page is written for an adult: the rubric, keys and records are on separate teacher pages. Pages read clean when copied in black and white. Clip art is kept to a lightbulb, a question mark and a pencil.

Invented Data And Students

Every data table in this file is invented for practice and says so on the page, and every scenario is written to show a clear trend. The students in the weak-or-strong pages and in the filled example are made up and say so. There is no lab procedure, safety rule or standards code anywhere in the file.

Type In, Or Print

The name line, every writing box, every answer box and every check box are type-in fields in any PDF reader: click one, type, then save. You can also print any page and write by hand. This is a fillable PDF; it is not a Google Slides or PowerPoint file.

What This Is, And What It Is Not

A CER science writing unit with the record-keeping around it. It is not a timed test, a screener, a clinical tool, or a claim about any student's age or rate of progress. There is no IEP goal language or eligibility wording anywhere in the file.

If You Want More

Photosynthesis Worksheets | Diagram, Sort, Fill In, Short Answer 6th-8th Grade; Physical and Chemical Changes Worksheets | Sort, Fill In, Graph 6th-8th Grade; Periodic Table Worksheets | Groups, Symbols, Sort, Valence 6th-8th Grade.