Argument Elements

This section is organized around 4 elements of scientific argumentation that students need extra support with: 1) Evidence, 2) Reasoning, 3) Student Interaction, and 4) Competing Claims. Each page provides videos that include a definition of that element, a rationale for the focus, classroom activities and teaching strategies. Each resource is located on just one page; however, many of the videos cut across the four argumentation elements since they often occur simultaneously in a lesson.

Below is one featured video from the “Student Interaction” section. However, the video does include all four elements over the course of the students’ argumentation discussion.

Featured Video 

Strategy: Stepping Back During Science Seminars