Extend - This was also a good way to connect to the Common Core Science Standards where students need to communicate their claims with supporting evidence in a written format.
Challenge - I found that many students felt that a written letter is a very informal way of writing. Many students did not complete requirements of explaining with the forms of evidence meant. Instead they just mentioned the forms of evidence. Another challenge was grading all 53 of these letters!
Jon, this was an inventive way to have the students show their thinking, in a scientific setting.
ReplyDeleteJon,
ReplyDeleteI am amazed at the amount of writing your students are producing in the Science content area using your thinking routines as the catalyst for their responses. The growth across content areas will be high if the kids keep practicing your methodology and routines and making those important connections between all content areas and written communication. This is just excellent.