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Claims, Evidence, Reasoning Activity: Icefish Data Story

Hope Bigwarfe

Colonie Academy

South Colonie School District

Albany, NY

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Colonie Academy

  • Small, alternative learning program
  • At-risk students
  • Small group, 1 on 1 instruction
  • Online learning

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Regents Living Environment Science Teacher

  • Facilitate online learning through Edmentum
  • Ensure successful completion of state lab requirements for each student
  • Enrich curriculum with activities that cross-cut the curriculum
  • Facilitate discussions to engage students in learning and assess student understanding

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Using Data Stories to Connect with At-Risk Students

  • Ties to real-world science
  • Interdisciplinary
  • High interest
  • Short and sweet

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As ocean temperatures increase, how will Icefish do?

  • Data Story provides background information
    • Icefish
    • Hemoglobin
    • Relationship between dissolved oxygen and ocean temperature

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Link to Polar Ice Data Story

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Claim, Evidence, Reasoning

Claim is their choice of hypotheses.

Hypothesis 1: Icefish will do better than rockcod in warmer temperatures.

Hypothesis 2: Icefish will do the same as rockcod in warmer temperatures.

Hypothesis 3: Icefish will do worse than rockcod in warmer temperatures.

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Student Handout

  • Guided Handout:
    • Background questions to ensure reading comprehension
    • Open space for free responses to CER

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Evidence: DATA, DATA, DATA

Analyzing graphs of real data to prove or disprove their hypothesis.

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More Data to Discuss

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Scaffolding Data Analysis with Students

Questioning to help students better process data and develop accurate conclusions.

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Reasoning: Bringing it Back

Students use evidence to determine if their hypothesis was correct or incorrect, backing up their conclusions with DATA!!

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Student Reflections

“This was really cool. I liked reading what a scientist really did.”

“This helped me learn better. I understand things more when it’s all together like this.”

“Those fish are freaky.”

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Review using data stories

Guided discussions during data stories include review of multiple Living Environment topics:

  • CER
  • Body Systems
    • Circulatory
    • Respiratory
  • Climate Change

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  • Pollution
  • Ecology
  • Human Impact

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End of Year Review

  • Use data-story during review for Living Environment Regents Exam
    • Bring life to discussions using topics from data stories, further engaging students and reinforcing content knowledge