How do you support students writing a scientific argument after a science seminar?

Session Goal:

  • Teachers will learn how to evaluate student written arguments based upon the quality of the organization of the argument, the quality of connections across ideas, and accuracy.

Agenda:

* Extension Discussion: Try it with your students!
  1. Video: Writing for a Hypothetical Audience
  2. Presentation: Roles and Expectations for the Science Seminar
  3. Guided Practice: Analyzing a Student Argument
  4. Presentation: Introduction to the Argumentation Rubric
  5. Activity: Analyzing Student Arguments Using the Rubric
  6. Takeaways

Materials:

  1. Detailed agenda for facilitator
  2. Peer Feedback Checklist: Scientific Argument Handout
  3. Rubric for Writing a Scientific Argument
  4. Sample Student Arguments Handout

* Extension discussion -  Try it with your students!

Discussion questions:
  • What went well?
  • What strategies did you implement?
  • What was challenging?
  • What additional support do you need to run the science seminar successfully in your classroom?

1. Video: Writing for a Hypothetical Audience

Watch the video below, which introduces the “hypothetical audience” as a tool to support student writing of scientific arguments.
Discussion Questions:
  • In what ways could the science seminar support students in writing convincing arguments?
  • What are some strategies from the video or your own experience to support student writing of arguments?
  • What do you see as key characteristics you would like to see in your students’ written arguments?

2. Guided Practice: Analyze a Student Argument

  • Introduce the guidelines for writing a scientific argument.Emphasize these are the elements students should include in their written argument.
  • Project an exemplar student argument and use the peer feedback checklist to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of this argument.

3. Presentation: Introduction to the Argumentation Rubric

  • Project the Rubric for Writing a Scientific Argument.
  • Explain this rubric can be used to determine the strengths and weaknesses of student arguments.
  • The rubric includes and expands upon the categories discussed in the peer feedback checklist. This can be used to provide targeted feedback to students in their writing.

4. Activity: Analyzing Student Arguments Using the Rubric

The task:
  • In pairs or small groups,  rate the strengths and weaknesses of each of the four sample student arguments using the rubric.
Discussion Questions:
  • Which argument was the strongest? Why?
  • Which argument was the weakest? Why?
  • How could you use this rubric in your classroom to provide feedback to your students?

5. Session takeaways

  • Engaging students in a science seminar can support students in writing stronger arguments.
  • Teachers can use a variety of strategies to support student writing, such as encouraging students to consider an audience and giving them opportunities for peer critique.
  • Tools such as the argument rubric and peer feedback checklist can be used to help students write stronger arguments.