Question

read the example. then record whether the sentence is the claim, evidence or reasoning on the lines. use the notes on the first page to help you.

1. why is my pet hamster awake at night and asleep during the day?

• animals that are active at night and sleep most of the day are nocturnal animals. ______
• i observe my hamster sleeping during the day and running on his wheel at night. ______
• i think my pet hamster is nocturnal. ______

1. why does the cat’s shadow change during the day?

• i noticed his shadow is shorter in the middle of the day and longer at the end of the day. ______
• i think the sun’s position can change the shadow length of things. ______
• this makes sense because as the sun lowers in the sky, light hits objects at an angle, creating longer shadows. ______

1. why did the plant in the sunlight grow 3\, but the plant in the dark closet grew 1\?

• i think the plant needs sunlight to grow. ______
• the text says the plant grew 2\ less in the dark. ______
• plants need sunlight to grow, so where there is less light the plant will not grow as much. ______

1. why do we see lightning before we hear thunder?

• we observed the lightning before we heard the thunder. ______
• we can conclude that since they appear to always come together, the light must be entering our eyes faster than thunder enters our ears. ______
• i think that light travels faster than sound. ______

1. why does oil float on water?

• this makes sense because when something is less dense than water, it will rise to the top. if it is more dense, it will sink. ______
• my claim is that oil is less dense than water. ______
• my evidence is that it states oil floats on water (and i have seen it before). ______

Explanation:

Answer:

1.

• Animals that are active at night and sleep most of the day are nocturnal animals. Reasoning
• I observe my hamster sleeping during the day and running on his wheel at night. Evidence
• I think my pet hamster is nocturnal. Claim

2.

• I noticed his shadow is shorter in the middle of the day and longer at the end of the day. Evidence
• I think the sun’s position can change the shadow length of things. Claim
• This makes sense because as the sun lowers in the sky, light hits objects at an angle, creating longer shadows. Reasoning

3.

• I think the plant needs sunlight to grow. Claim
• The text says the plant grew 2" less in the dark. Evidence
• Plants need sunlight to grow, so where there is less light the plant will not grow as much. Reasoning

4.

• We observed the lightning before we heard the thunder. Evidence
• We can conclude that since they appear to always come together, the light must be entering our eyes faster than thunder enters our ears. Reasoning
• I think that light travels faster than sound. Claim

5.

• This makes sense because when something is less dense than water, it will rise to the top. If it is more dense, it will sink. Reasoning
• My claim is that oil is less dense than water. Claim
• My evidence is that it states oil floats on water (and I have seen it before). Evidence