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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Science CER
Slope Steepness and Erosion
What to Do
Investigation QuestionHow does the steepness of a hillside affect the amount of soil that erodes during a simulated rainstorm? Background InformationErosion is the process of soil and rock being moved from one place to another by Soil Erosion by Slope Steepness
Same amount of water (500mL) used for each trial. Average of 3 trials.
Key Vocabulary
Writing Steps
1
Examine the Data
Answer these questions to show you understand the data:
1. What is the investigation question asking you to find out? 2. What changed in the data as the conditions changed? (Look for a pattern.) 3. What is the most important thing the data shows? You can use bullet points, short phrases, or sentences. Before writing your CER, carefully read the investigation question and study the data.
A good scientist reads the data first — then writes their explanation. Note: Your answers here help you prepare. This step is not part of your final score.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Claim Evidence Reasoning
2
Write Your Claim
Write one sentence that answers: How does the steepness of a hillside affect the amount of soil that erodes during a simulated rainstorm?
Your claim should name: - What was being tested (the variable) - What the result was Example format: "The [variable] that had [condition] showed the [highest/lowest/most/least] [result]." A claim is one sentence that directly answers the investigation question.
Investigation Question: How does the steepness of a hillside affect the amount of soil that erodes during a simulated rainstorm? A strong claim: - Answers the question in ONE sentence - Names the variable and what happened - Does NOT just restate the question - Is specific — not "it worked" or "the experiment showed something"
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Role: claim
Target: ~15 words
Look for:
Start with: 'The [variable] that...
Name what was measured and what the overall result was
Answer the question directly — don't just describe what you did
Sentence Starters
My claim is that ___ affects ___.
Based on the data, ___.
The investigation shows that ___.
Target: about 15 words
3
Support with Evidence
Write 1-2 sentences of evidence from the data table.
Your evidence should: - Include specific numbers or measurements - Come directly from the data (not background knowledge) - Show WHY your claim is supported Look at the data table on the left for the exact numbers. Evidence is specific data from the investigation that supports your claim.
Strong evidence at this grade: - Uses specific numbers from the data table - Comes from the investigation (not just something you already knew) - Directly connects to your claim Example: "The plants in full sunlight grew 22 cm, while plants with no light only grew 4 cm."
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Role: evidence
Target: ~25 words
Look for:
Data Reference (Soil Collected in Runoff (grams))
5 degrees (nearly flat): 215 degrees (gentle slope): 925 degrees (moderate slope): 2135 degrees (steep slope): 38
Find the specific numbers in the data table that support your claim
Compare the highest and lowest values
Include the units (cm, °C, grams, etc.)
Don't just say 'it was more' — say HOW MUCH more
Sentence Starters
The data table shows that when ___, ___.
Specifically, the measurement of ___ was ___.
Two data points that support my claim are ___ and ___.
Target: about 25 words
4
Explain Your Reasoning & Write Full CER
First, write your reasoning (2-3 sentences):
- Why does your evidence support your claim? - What scientific concept explains this? - Use the word "because" or "this shows that..." Then, write your complete CER paragraph in the box below. Your paragraph should: - Start with your claim - Include your evidence (with numbers) - End with your reasoning (the scientific explanation) - Be 4-6 sentences total This is the most important step! You will do two things:
Part A — Write your reasoning. Reasoning explains WHY your evidence supports your claim. It's not just what happened — it explains the scientific concept behind it. - Reasoning ≠ Evidence. Don't repeat what you already wrote. - Use a scientific concept: photosynthesis, gravity, friction, etc. - Try: "This is because..." or "This shows that..." Part B — Write your complete CER paragraph. Combine your Claim, Evidence, and Reasoning into one well-written paragraph.
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Role: complete CER paragraph
Target: ~60 words
Look for:
Data Reference (Soil Collected in Runoff (grams))
5 degrees (nearly flat): 215 degrees (gentle slope): 925 degrees (moderate slope): 2135 degrees (steep slope): 38
Ask yourself: WHY did this happen? What science explains it?
Try: 'This is because [scientific concept]...
Look at the Key Vocabulary section for helpful science terms
Your paragraph should flow: Claim → Evidence → Reasoning
Claim
+
Evidence
+
Reasoning
=
Complete Paragraph
Sentence Starters
My claim is ___. The evidence is ___. This supports my claim because ___.
Based on the data, ___, which shows ___. This makes sense because ___.
Target: about 60 words
Self-Check Rubric
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I wrote my claim
My claim is about 15 words
I wrote my evidence
My evidence is about 25 words
I wrote my complete CER paragraph
My complete CER paragraph is about 60 words
I re-read my writing and fixed any spelling or grammar mistakes
I am proud of this work
ReflectionWhat was the hardest part of this assignment? What would you do differently next time? Want the AI-coached version of this assignment?
Get step-by-step AI feedback on student writing — free for teachers at writingtools.org. Same assignment, with grade-level rubric scoring, revision coaching, and printable reports.
writingtools.org/printables/science_cer_earth_slope_erosion_g5
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