Science Skills Part 1-Observations

I Can… I can take detailed observations using the 5 senses. I can describe the difference between a quantitative observation and a qualitative observation.

Science Skill: OBSERVING Observing means using one or more of your senses to gather information. Your senses include: sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell. In science, we never taste things unless we know EXACTLY what it is and whether it is safe. Observations can be either qualitative or quantitative.

QUAL QUALitative Observations Qualitative observations give a quality or property of the thing being observed. Usually adjectives like red, white, big, tall, girl, boy, quiet, or loud are qualitative. Example: –He is wearing a white jersey with a red #6 on the front, center. –He has his hand in the air in the shape of a fist. QUALitative Observations= QUALities

N QuaNtitative Observations Quantitative Quantitative data, describes an object numerically Quantitative observations are things you actually measure. Height, weight, number, etc... are all quantitative. Example: He is 6ft 3in tall. He weighs 225 lbs. QuaNtitative Observations = Numbers

Let’s Practice QUALitative –The insect is light green –The insect is shaped like a folded leaf –It has long, spindly legs QuaNtitative –The insect is 3 inches long. –It has 6 legs.

Adopt-a-Lime Activity 1.On the right hand side of your notebooks, create the following chart. 2.Then, fill in the chart with information about your lime. QuantitativeQualitative

Science Skills Part 2-Observations vs. Inferences

Science Skills continued I Can… I can describe the difference between an observation, inference, and prediction.

Science Skills: Inferences When you explain or interpret the things you observe, you are inferring or making an inference. Inferences are not always correct!! Observations are always facts---they must be true and correct. Inferences are not always true---they are educated guesses.

Science Skills: Predicting Predicting means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past experience or evidence. Predictions are a type of inference about the future.

CSI: Frederick Douglass  When Ms. B dismisses you to the crime scene, observe the scene carefully.  When you return to your seat, write a crime scene report that clearly describes your analysis of the scene.  You should base your report on at least 6 observations.  Underline all observations and put a circle around(highlight) all inferences.  Write your notes/observations in your notebook on the right hand side but turn this in on a separate sheet of paper for hw.

Science Skills: Making Models Making Models involves creating representations of complex objects or processes. (Careful: some information may be missing from a model)

Science Skills: Classifying Classifying is the process of grouping together items that are alike in some way. Classifying things helps you stay organized so you can easily find and use them later