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Climate Integration Project

Unit 9 · Week 3 · Combining Evidence Types

SubjectScience / Social Studies
Year LevelYear 9–10
Duration60–75 min
CurriculumNature of Science · Living World
This lesson connects ← Week 3 Climate Data Analysis → Week 4 Field Sampling

Ngā Whāinga Akoranga · Learning Intentions

  • Integrate evidence from three different sources: field observations, climate data, and Maramataka knowledge
  • Identify where different evidence types agree, disagree, or complement each other
  • Write a short multi-source explanation using the claim–evidence–reasoning (CER) structure
  • Evaluate which source of evidence is most reliable for a given question

Paearu Angitu · Success Criteria

  • I have recorded relevant evidence from at least two of the three source types
  • I can identify one point of agreement and one point of tension between my sources
  • I have written a short explanation (3–5 sentences) using claim–evidence–reasoning
  • I can explain why using multiple evidence types produces a stronger conclusion

Hononga Marautanga · Curriculum Alignment

Nature of Science — Communicating

Use a range of representations when communicating science ideas; evaluate the quality and source of evidence when constructing explanations.

Living World — Ecology

Investigate the relationship between living things and their environments; understand how climate and seasonal variation shapes ecosystems.

Ngā Puna Taunakitanga · Evidence Sources

Draw on what you have gathered across Week 3. Record the key evidence from each source type.

🔬 Field Observations (Week 3 surveys)

📊 Climate Data (NIWA / MetService)

🌿 Maramataka / Traditional Knowledge

Whakakotahi Taunakitanga · Evidence Integration

For each question, record what each source tells you.

Question Field observations say
 Climate data says
 Maramataka says

What season / condition are we in right now?
What changes are happening in te taiao right now?
What do these changes mean for living things in this place?

Whakaaetanga me Ngā Rerekētanga · Agreements and Tensions

✅ Where sources AGREE:

⚡ Where sources TENSION or DIFFER:

Whakamārama CER · Claim–Evidence–Reasoning Explanation

Write a 3–5 sentence explanation that integrates your evidence. Use the claim–evidence–reasoning structure.

Claim (your main point):

"Based on my evidence, I claim that
"

Evidence (from your sources):

"Evidence from [source] shows
 / [second source] also shows
"

Reasoning (why the evidence supports your claim):

"This evidence supports my claim because
"

Whakaaro Hoki · Reflection

Which source of evidence do you find most convincing for this question, and why?

What would you investigate next to strengthen or challenge your claim?

Aronga Mātauranga Māori

Integrating evidence types is not just a scientific skill — it is a fundamental principle of mātauranga Māori. Māori knowledge systems have always held multiple forms of knowing simultaneously: whakapapa (relational knowledge), tohu (observational indicators), kƍrero tuku iho (inherited wisdom), and direct sensory experience of te taiao. None of these is privileged over the others; together they form a more complete picture than any single lens can provide.

When your field observation, your climate data, and your Maramataka knowledge all point in the same direction, you can be confident. When they diverge, that tension is itself data — it tells you to look more carefully, and to ask deeper questions.

Ngā Rauemi Tautoko · Support Materials

Resources already provided:

  • Week 3 Climate Data Analysis handout — bring your completed data and graph
  • Week 3 Traditional Weather Research handout — bring your Maramataka notes
  • Week 3 Biodiversity Survey Sheets — bring your field observation data
  • CER sentence frame poster (classroom display)

Aronga Rerekē · Differentiated Pathways

Tīmata · Entry Level

Use two evidence sources only (field + data). Complete the first row of the integration table. Write a 2-sentence claim and one piece of evidence. Skip the reasoning section if needed.

Paerewa · On Level

Use all three evidence sources. Complete all three integration table rows. Write a full CER explanation (3–5 sentences). Answer both reflection questions.

Tƫāpae · Extension

Complete all sections. Extension: Write a second CER paragraph that argues the opposite claim — and explain why the evidence does not fully support it. This "steelmanning" of a weaker position shows genuine critical thinking about the limits of your evidence.