Hey there, fellow science teacher enthusiasts! 👋
As a passionate science teacher, I’ve had the privilege of witnessing the transformative power of CER firsthand, and I can’t wait to share my experiences and insights with you. Let’s take a moment to understand what exactly CER is all about and why it’s such a game-changer in the realm of science education.
1. Crafting Unique Questions for Engaging Learning (and AI proofing): At the core of the CER framework lies the importance of crafting unique questions. Unlike traditional memorization, these questions ignite curiosity, prompting students to develop their own hypotheses, conduct experiments, and gather evidence. Creating distinct inquiries fosters a sense of ownership and involvement, motivating students to actively participate in their scientific journey. I think it is so important to make sure these CER questions are chat gpt proof! Instead of just giving students a basic prompt, I like to tie it into their assignments. For the evidence part of the CER I make students cite information from our lectures, labs, etc. Not just “the internet”. I use Gizmo labs in my classroom and often I will tell students at least one piece of evidence must come from what you saw in the lab! This makes sure students are truly understanding the material.
2. Harnessing the Power of Scientific Writing Scientific: Writing acts as the bridge between observation and conclusion, enabling students to express their findings clearly. By requiring students to document their claims, cite evidence, and provide reasoning, CER cultivates communication skills essential in the scientific community. Constructing arguments through writing enhances their ability to convey complex ideas with clarity—a skill vital not only in science but also in various fields and real-life situations.
3. Fostering Critical Thinking and Reasoning: critical thinking and reasoning form the foundation of scientific inquiry. CER empowers students to analyze data, assess evidence, and draw logical conclusions. Through this structured approach, students learn to differentiate between reliable and misleading information, refining their analytical abilities. Now earlier, I did mention AI proofing questions… If you want students to research their info, this would be a great way to have the discussion on what is reliable and not! You can also provide a specific outline and scaffold the CER into sections. This systematic process not only deepens their understanding of scientific concepts but also equips them with invaluable skills applicable across disciplines and professions.
4. Empowering Student Growth: Integrating CER into the classroom creates an environment that fosters growth and resilience. Students learn from both successes and failures, recognizing setbacks as opportunities for deeper learning. This iterative process of formulating claims, analyzing evidence, and constructing reasoning boosts students’ confidence in their scientific abilities.
Over all, I have found that the CER framework serves as a guiding light, steering students towards not only understanding scientific principles but embodying the essence of scientific inquiry—curiosity, critical thinking, and the pursuit of knowledge.
Excited about implementing CER in your physics/physical science class? Check out my TPT store for a CER pack tailored for science education!
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