Teaching claim-evidence-rationale component of the science writing heuristic app

The authors inform us of the type of mistakes in logic that both early and advanced students make in the way that they reason about natural phenomena in an attempt to explain it. Within more... See More

The authors inform us of the type of mistakes in logic that both early and advanced students make in the way that they reason about natural phenomena in an attempt to explain it. Within more complex formulated ways of reasoning are the Claim-Evidence-Rationale components. If reasoned correctly, there is a better opportunity at getting at truths of nature which we can use to subdue our world making it a better place to live and survive in. The activity that the authors propose relies on a Sesame Street picnic puzzle. Prior to seeing the puzzle, at the first lab, the students come with proposed questions to inquire about the picnic. Through this approach, the students work individually and in groups and in using a heuristic approach seek to understand what they already know. The groups of students are provided with varied pieces of the puzzle, which may not even connect, as evidence. Based on what the students observe, they begin to develop their claims about the picnic. Answering the questions, for example, Is Cookie Monster present? or What is Cookie Monster eating? This opportunity to learn is something that I plan to teach as a fun learning activity in my classroom with my middle school students.