Observation and Inference

What is an observation? When you observe, you become aware of something by using one of your senses. Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch, and sound. An observation simply describes something as it appears to be. An observation is a statement describing a fact based on your senses.

Observation Examples The coffee is hot. The measuring cup is filled with ¾ of a cup of flour. The sweater feels soft and smooth. The perfume smells like flowers. There are two birds sitting in a tree.

Observation Write down 5 observations about the classroom using your senses. 1. I hear a humming noise. 2. It feels cold in here. 3. I see a whiteboard and computers. 4. Some people are frowning. 5. The chairs have wheels.

What is an inference? When you infer, you make a mental judgment based on your observations. Inferences cannot be directly observed. They require thought.

Inference Example For example, if you get up in the morning, look up at the sky and observe dark clouds, observe the air is cool and humid, and observe puddles on the ground, you might infer that it has recently rained. Note: You did not see rain; you decided that it rained based on your observations. An inference is a statement based on your interpretation of the facts.

Inference Examples The water tastes strange because it isn’t filtered. My house is colder than yours because my heater is broken. Grass grows faster if you water it everyday.

List 3 inferences about the classroom Think about the 5 observations you made before. 1. The computers must be on. 2. The air conditioning is on. 3. This is an office building.

Graphic Organizer Observation Inference I hear a humming noise. The computers must be on. It is cold in here. The air conditioning is on. I see a whiteboard and computers. This is an office building.

More Examples Observation Inference That plant is wilted. It is going to die. The car stopped running. It is out of gas. The Bears lost the game. The Bears didn’t practice.

Observation or Inference? The grass is green because it rained last week. The giraffe is eating leaves off the tree. Mice die when it is cold outside. The lion is hunting because he is hungry.

Photo Example #1 What observations can we make about this picture? What can we infer based on this picture?

What observations can we make from this picture? What inferences can we make from this picture?

Time to practice!