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Mr. A's Writing Tools
writingtools.org
Science CER
Urban Heat Island: Pavement vs. Green Space
What to Do
Investigation QuestionHow does the type of ground cover (pavement vs. grass vs. tree canopy) affect surface and air temperatures in a city neighborhood? Background InformationUrban heat islands occur when cities are significantly warmer than surrounding Temperature by Ground Cover Type (Summer, 2:00 PM)
All measurements taken at the same time of day and same solar angle. Air temp measured at 1m above surface.
Alternative Explanation (for your Rebuttal)"The temperature differences could be due to differences in building density or air conditioning waste heat, not the ground cover type itself" Key Vocabulary
Writing Steps
1
Examine the Evidence
Answer these questions to show you understand the data:
1. What is the investigation question asking you to explain? 2. What is the independent variable? The dependent variable? 3. What trend or pattern do you see in the data? (Be specific — use numbers.) 4. Can you think of an alternative explanation for the data? What else could cause this result? Bullet points or short sentences are fine. Before writing, carefully read the investigation question and analyze the data.
Scientists read data critically before forming explanations. Look for: - Patterns and trends in the numbers - Which variables were controlled and which were tested - What the data shows and what it doesn't show - What alternative explanations a skeptic might propose Note: This step prepares you to write. It is not part of your final score.
Scoring Guidance — Step 1
Look for:
Claim Evidence Reasoning Rebuttal
2
Write Your Claim
Write one precise sentence that answers: How does the type of ground cover (pavement vs. grass vs. tree canopy) affect surface and air temperatures in a city neighborhood?
Make sure your claim: - States a specific relationship between two variables - Uses precise scientific language - Could be tested or proven wrong with data A claim is one precise sentence that directly answers the investigation question.
Investigation Question: How does the type of ground cover (pavement vs. grass vs. tree canopy) affect surface and air temperatures in a city neighborhood? A strong claim: - Answers the question in ONE sentence - Is precise and measurable - Names the direction of effect - Is falsifiable — it could be tested or proven wrong
Scoring Guidance — Step 2
Role: claim
Target: ~20 words
Look for:
Name both variables: what was changed AND what was measured
State the direction: as X increases, Y increases/decreases
Avoid vague language: 'affected it' → name the specific effect
Sentence Starters
My claim is that ___ affects ___.
Based on the data, ___.
The investigation shows that ___.
Target: about 20 words
3
Cite Your Evidence
Write 2-3 sentences of evidence from the data table.
Your evidence should: - Include specific numbers with units from the data table - Show a comparison (highest vs. lowest, between conditions) - Come from the investigation data, not background knowledge Evidence is specific data from the investigation that supports your claim.
Strong evidence: - Includes 2+ specific data points with numbers - Comes from YOUR investigation data (not background knowledge) - Distinguishes between primary data and background context - Is directly relevant to your claim
Scoring Guidance — Step 3
Role: evidence
Target: ~40 words
Look for:
Data Reference (Surface Temp (°C))
Asphalt pavement: 58Concrete sidewalk: 49Grass lawn: 32Urban forest / tree canopy: 24
Use at least 2 specific numbers from the data table
Compare values: '...compared to...' or 'while...' or 'In contrast...
Include units (cm, °C, mg/L, etc.)
Sentence Starters
The data table shows that when ___, ___.
Specifically, the measurement of ___ was ___.
Two data points that support my claim are ___ and ___.
Target: about 40 words
4
Write Your Reasoning
Write 3-4 sentences explaining WHY your evidence supports your claim.
Your reasoning MUST include: - A named scientific principle (e.g., natural selection, Newton's third law, photosynthesis) - An explanation of the MECHANISM: HOW does this principle cause your result? - Language like "This demonstrates..." or "According to [principle]..." Reasoning is the scientific explanation that connects your evidence to your claim.
Reasoning is NOT a repeat of your evidence. Reasoning MUST: - Name a scientific principle or concept - Explain the MECHANISM — HOW or WHY the principle causes the observed result - Use language like "This demonstrates..." or "According to..."
Scoring Guidance — Step 4
Role: reasoning
Target: ~40 words
Look for:
Name the scientific principle: 'This demonstrates [concept]...
Explain the mechanism: not just WHAT but HOW/WHY
Check: Did you actually explain the science? Or just restate the data?
Sentence Starters
This supports my claim because the principle of ___ explains ___.
The scientific mechanism behind this is ___.
Therefore, when ___, ___ because ___.
Target: about 40 words
5
Write Your Rebuttal
Write 3-4 sentences for your rebuttal.
Your rebuttal should: 1. Name the most plausible alternative explanation for the data 2. Explain why someone might believe this alternative 3. Use evidence to explain why your claim is still better supported Think: What is the strongest counter-argument someone could make? How does the data rule it out? A rebuttal is what separates a strong scientific argument from a weak one. Scientists acknowledge plausible alternative explanations — then use evidence to show why those alternatives are weaker. Don't just say "some people might disagree, but I'm right."
Weak: "Some people might think that [alternative], but my claim is correct." Strong: "One alternative explanation is [specific alternative]. However, the data shows [specific data point], which rules this out because [scientific reasoning]."
Scoring Guidance — Step 5
Role: rebuttal
Target: ~50 words
Look for:
Start with: 'One alternative explanation is...' or 'A skeptic might argue that...
Name the specific alternative: don't be vague
Use evidence to refute it: 'However, the data shows [specific numbers]...
Explain WHY your data rules out the alternative
Sentence Starters
An alternative explanation is ___.
Some might argue ___; however, the data shows ___.
While ___ could explain this, the evidence more strongly indicates ___.
Target: about 50 words
6
Write Your Complete CERR Paragraph
Write your complete CERR paragraph (6-9 sentences).
Use your claim, evidence, reasoning, and rebuttal from previous steps. Improve them as you write — aim for precision and flow. Checklist before submitting: - [ ] Claim: precise sentence answering the investigation question - [ ] Evidence: 2+ specific data points with numbers - [ ] Reasoning: named scientific principle + mechanism explanation - [ ] Rebuttal: named alternative + evidence-based refutation - [ ] Flow: transitions connect all four parts Now assemble your entire argument into one polished paragraph.
Your scaffold boxes show what you've written — use those as your starting point and improve them. Transitions for CERR: "Furthermore," "This demonstrates," "However, a skeptic might argue," "The data refutes this because," "Therefore,"
Scoring Guidance — Step 6
Role: complete CERR paragraph
Target: ~130 words
Look for:
Data Reference (Surface Temp (°C))
Asphalt pavement: 58Concrete sidewalk: 49Grass lawn: 32Urban forest / tree canopy: 24
Claim → Evidence → Reasoning → Rebuttal is the standard CERR structure
Use transitions: 'This demonstrates...' → 'However, one alternative explanation...' → 'The data refutes this...
Your rebuttal should feel like the strongest counter-argument you can imagine — then knock it down
Claim
+
Evidence
+
Reasoning
+
Rebuttal
=
Complete Paragraph
Sentence Starters
My claim is ___. The evidence shows ___. The principle of ___ explains this.
Some might argue ___; however, the data more strongly supports my claim because ___.
Target: about 130 words
Self-Check Rubric
Before You Turn InI completed the planning step
I wrote my claim
My claim is about 20 words
I wrote my evidence
My evidence is about 40 words
I wrote my reasoning
My reasoning is about 40 words
I wrote my rebuttal
My rebuttal is about 50 words
I wrote my complete CERR paragraph
My complete CERR paragraph is about 130 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?
For the Teacher
Teacher Guide — Urban Heat Island: Pavement vs. Green SpaceNGSS SEP4, SEP6, SEP7; CCSS.WHST.6-8.1 · Grade 7
Scoring Rubric
Step-by-Step Coaching Notes
Step 1 — Examine the Evidence
Step 2 — Write Your Claim
Step 3 — Cite Your Evidence
Step 4 — Write Your Reasoning
Step 5 — Write Your Rebuttal
Step 6 — Write Your Complete CERR Paragraph
Students on devices? Coach this assignment live.
Scan the code — or visit the link — for the AI-coached version: step-by-step feedback on every draft, auto-scored on the rubric, no answer key to grade. Free for teachers.
writingtools.org/free/science_cerr_human_urban_heat_g7
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