Content Standard: K. Scientific Reasoning
Students will learn to formulate and justify ideas and to make informed decisions.
Common Assessment(s):

Performance Indicators Students will be able to:	Essential Elements (Specific grade level learning objectives)			Suggested Performance Activities	Suggested Classroom Assessments	Vocabulary
1. Give alternative explanations for observed phenomena.	see D. Continuity and Change			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Why past forms of life have become extinct D1, How fossils form D2, Position of the continents F1	Students will be able to explain alternative explanations for an observed phenomenon.	alternative explanations apply logic brainstorming demonstrate understanding distort reasoning draw conclusions evidence observed phenomena reasoning results scientific evidence use evidence
2. Describe how feelings can distort reasoning.	see D. Continuity and Change			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Importance of parts of the food web B1, Producers, Consumers, and Decomposers B2	Students will demonstrate awareness of how feelings distort reasoning through discussions and journal entries.
3. Draw conclusions about observations	see E. Structure of Matter			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Life Cycles of Organisms A4, (Grade 4) Cells C1, C2, C3	Students will be able to write conclusions from their observations.
4. Use various types of evidence (e.g., logical, quantitative) to support a claim	see D. Continuity and Change and E. Structure of Matter			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Living Things A1, A2, A3, A4, Ecology B2, B3, B4, Earth F1, Universe G2, (Grade 4) Cells C1, C2, C4, Continuity and Change D3, Structure of Matter Map Task, Disappearing Lifesaver (see E. Structure of Matter) Energy H1, H2, Motion I1, I2, I3	Students will be able to cite several concrete examples to support a claim.
5. Demonstrate an understanding that ideas are more believable when supported by good reasons.	see E. Structure of Matter			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Living Things A1, A2, A3, A4, Ecology B2, B3, B4, Earth F1, Universe b (Grade 4) Cells C1, C2, C4, Continuity and Change D3, Structure of Matter E1, E2, Energy H1, H2, Motion I1, I2, I3	When citing several concrete examples to support a claim, students can explain why these are important toward making their claim believable.
6. Practice and apply simple logic, intuitive thinking, and brainstorming.	see H. Energy and I. Motion			Examples of practice activities: (Grade 3) Living Things A1, A2, A3, A4, Ecology B3, B4, Earth F3, Universe G2, (Grade 4) Cells C1, Continuity and Change D1, D4, Energy H2, Motion I1, I2, I3	Students will demonstrate the ability to brainstorm and think logically through listing, role playing, and drawing activities.