Boston Debate League and Boston Public Schools EvidenceBased

Boston Debate League and Boston Public Schools Evidence-Based Argumentation: Engaging Science Students in Boston Public Schools Rachel Chess, Science Teacher, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, rchess@bostonpublicschools. org Brandon Finegold, Professional Development Coordinator, Boston Debate League, brandon@bostondebate. org Ivyrose Hess, Science Teacher, Jeremiah E. Burke High School, ihess@bostonpublicschools. org Paul Madden, Professional Development Coordinator, Boston Debate League, paul@bostondebate. org

Session Outcomes Participants will… • Have the opportunity to engage with 3 signature EBA activities that they could consider implementing in their classroom • Consider how the Principles of EBA can be implemented in a classroom • Consider the range of scientific texts that can be used via EBA • Create claims for activities that are content specific

Session Agenda • Introduction • Experiencing EBA: – Claim-Evidence Game – Choosing the Best Evidence Mini Debate – Counterargument Class Challenge • EBA Overview – Skill Progression – Principles of EBA – Variations • Breakout Discussion – Claim Creation – Question/Answer • Wrap-Up

Activity 1: Claim-Evidence Game 1. In the left column, fill in the blank to create a claim. 2. Pass your paper to the person to your right. 3. The person on your left will pass you a paper. Write a piece of evidence for their claim.

Activity 2: Choosing the Best Evidence Mini Debate 1. Read the provided text, claim, and evidence 2. In a group of three, assign each person a piece of evidence. 3. Each person will have one minute to stand make a speech describing why their evidence best proves the claim. a) To prepare- in the first column, write two reasons why your evidence best proves the claim. Use these reasons to make your speech (If you need help, refer to the HINT CARDS. ) b) During your opponent’s speech, record their reasons in the second and third columns 4. As a group decide who won the debate

Activity 3: Counterargument Class Challenge 1. 2. 3. 4. Read the provided text Join a group at one of the posters containing a claim Write a warrant from the text to support your claim. Go to the opposing poster and read the claim and warrant. Write a counterargument for this claim and warrant. 5. Return to your poster and read the counterargument. Write a response to this counterargument.

Evidence-Based Argumentation: An Instructional Framework Five Skills Fifteen Activities Basic Argument Strong Argument Evidence from Text Counterarguments Claim-Evidence Game Complex Arguments Mini Debate Counterargument Class Challenge

EBA Outcomes Teacher Feedback Percentage of BPS Teachers surveyed who agreed or strongly agreed with the following: Overall Math Science ELA History ELL Student Engagement 97% 96% 98% 94% Student Understanding Class Content 99% 100% 98% 100% Student Writing Skills 95% 92% 98% 94% Student Oral Language Skills 99% 100% 98% 100% School-wide Test Scores 88% 91% 86% 94% Student Centered Classroom 96% 100% 91% 100% From a survey taken of 200 BPS teachers who have received at least 40 hours of instruction between 2011 and 2012

Implementation in the Classroom Writing Speaking and Listening Reading

Discussion • Individually or in small groups, discuss two topics for which you could use EBA in your classroom. Generate a claim for each of these topics. (See the “Creating a claim” file in your folder for more information) • In what ways would you envision EBA working in your classroom and/or school? How would you adapt or modify it? • Questions and Answers

Wrap-Up: Objectives Participants will… • Have the opportunity to engage with 3 signature EBA activities that they could consider implementing in their classroom • Consider how the Principles of EBA can be implemented in a classroom • Consider the range of scientific texts that can be used via EBA • Create claims for activities that are content specific

Wrap-Up: Contact Information • Boston Debate League Website http: //www. bostondebate. org • Documents used today http: //www. bostondebate. org/nsta • To join our mailing list, please sign in or email michelle@bostondebate. org