Chopping Onions
Mark and Kian make claims about what causes eyes to water when onions are cut.
Assessment Items
The assessment items are our attempt to assess argumentation, mostly in the context of the structure and behavior of matter. All items require students to engage in argument from evidence. Specifically, the items ask students to coordinate evidence with claims and reasoning, and to defend and critique arguments made by others. We encourage you to use the items with your students and to develop curriculum and assessments of scientific argumentation!
Relevant NGSS Standards
Scientific Practice: Engaging in Argument from Evidence
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
PS1.A: Structure and Properties of Matter
Mixing Sugar and Water
Laura and Mary make claims about whether or not sugar is still there after it has been mixed into water.
Bubbles in Water
Brian and Joe make arguments for what the bubbles in boiling water are made of.
Facts about Gases
Casey and Jesse are given three facts about gases, which they use to engage in argument from evidence.
Gases
Johnny and Sally make claims about the location of gas particles in a container.
Set of Blocks
Jordan and Casey make claims about whether blocks are hollow.
Desalination
The governor’s advisors provide two methods of desalination.
Something in the Air
Imara and Alexis make claims about where the water on the outside of a cold glass of water comes from.
NGSS Disciplinary Core Idea:
LS2.C: Ecosystem Dynamics, Functioning, and Resilience
Loosestrife
Sophie and Tina engage in argument about the reason purple loosestrife is a successful invasive species.
Non-scientific content
School Lunches
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced a change in the guidelines for school lunch programs. Should schools in San Francisco adopt the new program?
