Observation vs. Inference Please copy or fill in what is underlined

What is an observation? A.When you observe, you become aware of something using one of your senses. Your five senses are smell, taste, sight, touch, and sound. I an observation you simply describe something as it appears. An observation is a statement describing a fact. A.An observation is something that you can actually see/feel/smell/touch/hear

Observation In the space below, record 5 observations about your science classroom in your journal. 1._______________________2._______________________3._______________________4._______________________5._______________________

Quantitative Observation  Quantitative observation: is the measurement of something using an exact number. So, yes, it will always have a number and most likely, unit of measurement.  Based on exact measurement. Examples:  The room is 8 meters across.  Sarah is 141-cm tall.  Sam weighs 450 Newtons

Qualitative Observation B. Sometimes scientists must make very careful observations. Often their senses are not good enough. There are some things that cannot be observed using just your senses. (Examples: radiation, sound waves, planets, cells, etc.)

1.Can you think of ways that scientists have solved this problem? How can scientists extend their senses? Please copy some examples in your journal Microscopes, Telescopes, satellites, etc.

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

List 3 inferences about the classroom 1.._______________________ 2.._______________________ 3.._______________________

Examples  Observations  That plant is extremely wilted.  The car stopped running  The Sox are leading there division  Inferences  That plant is extremely wilted due to a lack of water.  The car stooped running because it was out of gas.  The sox are leading there division because they are playing well right now.

 We can OBSERVE that the turtle is on the stump.  We can OBSERVE that the stump is too high for the turtle to climb on.  We can INFER that someone put the turtle on the stump. YOUR TURN: 1.We can __________________that someone is smiling. 2.We can _______________that they are happy. 3.We can __________that a student is writing down their homework. 4.We can __________that they are a successful student. Think you’ve got it?! Let’s practice together (you don’t need to write these down!)

Look Familiar (hint 6 th grade)

What observations can we make from these pictures?

What inferences can we make from these pictures?