Reflect on Argumentation

Module Overview & Rationale

How the item cluster is used as a learning task in a "Do - Talk - Revise" cycle.

1. Participants work individually on items that use evidence to support an assertion (i.e. make an argument).
2. Participants share their arguments with each other, and together they synthesize a stronger argument.
3. Participants individually revise their arguments.
4. Participants reflect on how they participated in argumentation (survey = student "practical measures").
5. Facilitator studies and uses the student responses to lead a discussion about argumentation.

Why this kind of activity can be helpful.

• Student voice surveys are powerful attention-getters for focusing our attention on Science & Engineering Practices.
• Most people are unaware of what others are experiencing.
• The reflection-survey items expand the ways that students think they can/should contribute to argumentation discussions.

General notes

• This routine (Do-Talk-Revise-Reflect-Discuss) is intended for professional development, but is also meant to be an adaptable model for classroom practice.
• This routine is focused on the student/teacher practice of argumentation (SEP #7), but can be applied to other Science & Engineering Practices (e.g. SEP #4, Analyzing and Interpreting Data).

Slides (for professional development)

• How Am I Contributing to Argumentation?

The Item Cluster(s) & Other Tools

Item cluster and/or "cluster subsets"

• All of the climate science item clusters contain argumentation items (assertions defended by evidence):

GL4 Coal-Hydro in WA >> items #4a/#4b and #5a/#5b

MS Wildfire Data >> items #5/#6 and #7/#8

HS 1492 Climate Change >> items #5/#6

Artifacts, learner-generated data, etc.

• Folder Link: Student Voice survey for argumentation.
• File Link: Sample learner responses to items like...
  1. I contributed important ideas during the discussion.
  2. I asked questions that promoted our thinking and discussion.
  3. I shared my tentative thinking as well as ideas that I was more sure of.
  4. I felt "listened to" during the discussion.