In my 8th-grade classroom, I intentionally integrated artificial intelligence as a support tool to help students develop stronger Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) writing skills. AI was first used to generate a clear, student-friendly checklist that broke down each required component of a complete CER. This checklist allowed students to independently self-assess their work before submitting it, helping them better understand expectations, take ownership of their learning, and build confidence in their writing.
Students then used the checklist to guide structured peer review. This process provided all students with a clear framework for giving feedback, which was especially beneficial for students who lack confidence in their writing abilities or feel anxious about sharing their thoughts with others. To further support these learners, students also used AI to model examples of concise, effective feedback. Seeing how feedback could be worded helped students refine their own responses, making them more specific, supportive, and focused on improvement rather than criticism.
By using AI as a scaffold rather than a shortcut, students were able to engage more meaningfully in both writing and peer collaboration. Shy students who typically hesitate to speak up became more willing to participate, while students who doubted their abilities gained confidence in both giving and receiving feedback. Overall, this approach led to clearer CER writing, stronger peer discussions, and a classroom culture where students felt more supported, capable, and confident in their academic growth.
Kristina Castle
J.B. McNabb Middle School
Montgomery County Schools
8th Grade
