Texas TEKS 6.3.C
The Standard
engage respectfully in scientific argumentation using applied scientific explanations and empirical evidence.
Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Science
Teacher's field guide
What This Standard Means
What Students Need to Do
- Students make a clear claim, support it with observations or data, and explain how the evidence supports the claim. They listen to competing ideas, ask questions, and respond without attacking the speaker.
What Mastery Looks Like
- Given a shared data table, students can defend a claim by citing specific values and connecting them to a scientific explanation. They can compare another claim fairly and revise their own claim when stronger evidence appears.
Common Misconceptions
- Students may treat opinions as evidence, list data without explaining it, or select only data that supports their claim. They may also think disagreement means being rude or that the loudest speaker has the strongest argument.
How to Assess It
- Give this exit ticket: Plants receiving 4, 8, and 12 hours of light grew 2, 6, and 5 centimeters. Defend the best light duration, then respectfully respond to a classmate who chose 12 hours.
Lesson moves
Ways to Teach It
Teams test which paper bridge design holds the most washers, then use their results to defend one design in a structured debate.
Post two explanations for a melting ice cube, then have students write a respectful response using "I agree because" or "I question."
Play Evidence Match: students pair claim cards with data cards, reject weak matches, and explain each choice to a partner.
Compare two school lunch waste solutions using cafeteria trash counts, then recommend one to the principal with evidence.
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Printable 6.3.C Worksheet
A ready-to-print activity worksheet aligned to 6.3.C, with an answer key for the teacher on its own page. No account needed.
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Related Standards
- 7.3.C
The 7th Grade version of this standard.
- 8.3.C
engage respectfully in scientific argumentation using applied scientific explanations and empirical evidence
- 3.3.C
listen actively to others' explanations to identify relevant evidence and engage respectfully in scientific discussion.
- 5.3.C
listen actively to others' explanations to identify relevant evidence and engage respectfully in scientific discussion.
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