CER paragraph
Write a claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph and distinguish correlation from causation in your data.
CER paragraph with a specific claim supported by cited graph data, reasoning linking evidence to claim, a correlation/causation classification with justification, and one alternative explanation.
- 1Do thisWrite a claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph and distinguish correlation from causation in your data.
- 2Use this resource
- 3Submit thisCER: CER paragraph with a specific claim supported by cited graph data, reasoning linking evidence to claim, a correlation/causation classification with justification, and one alternative explanation.
- 4Submit it here
- 1CMSD website. Go to clevelandmetroschools.org and click the Clever button.
- 2Clever. Clever opens. Sign in if it asks.
- 3Microsoft (district) login. Use your district Microsoft account (the one for school).
- 4Schoology. Open Schoology, then your class, then Assignments, and find the file named below.
The file to submit is named: Biotechnology for Health (Biomedical Innovations) › Data tables, graphical claims, variables, outliers, correlation vs causation. › CEROpen Schoology
- CER:
- Claim, Evidence, Reasoning — make a claim, back it with evidence, explain your reasoning.
- SOP:
- Standard Operating Procedure — the exact steps to follow (especially in a lab).
- Tracker:
- Your PLTW progress log where you record completed evidence.
- myPLTW:
- The PLTW course site where you do the online activities — you open it through Schoology.
Minute-by-minute · 80-minute block
💡 Big idea: A CER paragraph turns a graph into a defensible scientific argument.
- 0-5 minWarm-up: name one claim your graph clearly supports
- 5-20 minDraft your claim sentence; identify specific evidence values from the graph
- 20-40 minWrite the reasoning connecting evidence to claim
- 40-55 minClassify the relationship as correlation or causation with written justification
- 55-70 minAdd one alternative explanation for the observed pattern
- 70-80 minPeer review: does the CER hold together without looking at the graph?
- • Your graph is a picture, but a CER paragraph is the argument that makes it mean something.
- • Today we use your graph to write a claim, back it with specific data, and reason through it.
- • Then we'll ask the harder question: does your graph show that one thing caused another, or just that they moved together?
- • One honest alternative explanation makes your argument stronger, not weaker.
- 1State a claim your graph supports.
- 2Cite specific evidence from the data table or graph.
- 3Explain the reasoning linking evidence to claim.
- 4Decide whether your data shows correlation or causation and justify it.
- 5Note one alternative explanation for the pattern.
- • Your paragraph includes a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
- • You correctly labeled the relationship as correlation or causation.
- • A claim is a specific statement the data supports, not a vague observation.
- • Evidence in a CER must come from actual data values, not general impressions.
- • Correlation and causation are logically distinct; environmental data almost always shows correlation.
Your PLTW work today
Data tables, graphical claims, variables, outliers, correlation vs causation. · CER paragraph
Day 2 of this lesson. Open this exact section in myPLTW (reached through Schoology), then do the work below.
Do this: Open Problem 4 in your myPLTW course shell and navigate to the current activity, then write a CER paragraph using your graph data and classify the relationship as correlation or causation.
Add your CER paragraph to the Problem 4 portfolio alongside your graph.
The graph draft is done; CER writing is the analysis milestone, so check your activity guide and submit the paragraph today.
Completed CER paragraph submitted as evidence before leaving class.
All PLTW activities are completed inside the PLTW course environment — this page only gives direction. Submit producibles on Schoology.
Today's PLTW tracker
Check things off as you work, then submit. This tells Mr. Mendoza how you're doing so he can help the class. It does not replace turning in your producible on Schoology.
Use the code Mr. Mendoza gave you, not your name. Saved on this device.
Data tables, graphical claims, variables, outliers, correlation vs causation. · CER paragraph
Open Problem 4 in your myPLTW course shell and navigate to the current activity, then write a CER paragraph using your graph data and classify the relationship as correlation or causation.
The graph draft is done; CER writing is the analysis milestone, so check your activity guide and submit the paragraph today.
This is how Mr. Mendoza sees the class keeping pace with PLTW. Be honest, it only helps if it is accurate.
🎯 Write a claim-evidence-reasoning paragraph and distinguish correlation from causation in your data.
- State a claim your graph supports.
- Cite specific evidence from the data table or graph.
- Explain the reasoning linking evidence to claim.
- Decide whether your data shows correlation or causation and justify it.
- Note one alternative explanation for the pattern.
CER: CER paragraph with a specific claim supported by cited graph data, reasoning linking evidence to claim, a correlation/causation classification with justification, and one alternative explanation.
Submit on SchoologyUpload by 11:29 PM for full credit.
| Task | Who |
|---|---|
| State a claim your graph supports. | _______ |
| Cite specific evidence from the data table or graph. | _______ |
| Explain the reasoning linking evidence to claim. | _______ |
| Decide whether your data shows correlation or causation and justify it. | _______ |
| Note one alternative explanation for the pattern. | _______ |
Working solo? Put your own name in "Who" for every row.
- Your paragraph includes a claim, evidence, and reasoning.
- You correctly labeled the relationship as correlation or causation.
Teacher-posted resources
Classroom documents for this lesson. Ones marked “Open the file” open right here; the rest are posted in Schoology. Use the label on each card to choose the right move.
Open this when the class reaches this activity and use it to complete the required lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Environmental data graphing and analysis by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-4_Environmental-Health/4.1_Environmental-Health; keywords:environmental. Score 134. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Environmental data graphing and analysis by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-4_Environmental-Health/4.1_Environmental-Health; keywords:environmental. Score 130. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
Use this if you were absent, got stuck, or need another pass before you submit the lesson artifact.
Placement rationale
Matched Environmental data graphing and analysis by path:Biomedical-Innovations/Problem-4_Environmental-Health/4.1_Environmental-Health; keywords:environmental. Score 130. Visibility: student-schoology (student-facing resource; link through Schoology rather than local path).
How to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
WebXam practice
Cumulative WebXam review
A quick mixed-review pulling questions from earlier units plus today, so the WebXam material stays fresh.
Where this leads — careers
What today's skills lead to. These are real health-science careers this course builds toward. Tap one to see, on the US Department of Labor's O*NET site, what the job actually involves, what it pays, and how fast it is growing.
What to do if you were absent
Today is individual PLTW work, so do exactly what we did in class, from home: complete the same PLTW target above, then submit your CER.
Open Schoology (CMSD) and keep goingHow to get there: open the CMSD website, click Clever, sign in with your Microsoft (district) account, then open Schoology from Clever.
Class still runs. Complete the online activity above (it's self-guided). Need the concept taught without a teacher? Use this authoritative explainer:
Khan Academy StatisticsOptional extra credit (async)
You've passed Unit 2, so the optional extra-credit track is open. Complete reserved-unit work from home (virtual labs included) for extra credit, all submitted on Schoology.
Open the extra-credit track- CompleteEvery required part of the artifact is present, nothing left blank.
- AccurateThe science and the data are correct and match the evidence.
- Scientific reasoningYou explain your claim with evidence and reasoning (CER), not just an answer.
- Professional communicationClear, organized, labeled, and written the way a clinician or scientist would.
- SubmittedTurned in the right way (Schoology for routine work) and confirmed.
Drop your Wed, Mar 24, 2027 · CER paragraph here. Use a clear file name (your initials + project). Routine work still goes to Schoology (via the CMSD portal).
Upload a project