1. Introduction to the Prologue Unit
Observation versus Inference

2. Aim: How are observation and inferences different?
Watch the attached youtube clip then make three observations about the candle:
The flame is orange
The candle is making a crackling noise
The candle is yellow

3. Answer the Following:
What senses did you use to make your observations?
Sight
Hearing
What other senses do we have that you didn’t use?
Smell
Touch
Taste

4. What is the definition of the word observation?
Observation-Information obtained directly from the senses

5. Example
Now that you have an understanding of the word observation, take a look at the picture below. Let’s say that the girl in the picture is someone in your class and that you just met her for the first time. Make three observations about her.

6. Now Lets make an inference
Based on your observations, make an inference about your new classmate.
She won a pie eating competition and brought her trophy to school to show to her new classmates.

7. Some say a picture tells a thousand words
Some say a picture tells a thousand words. What does this picture tell you? Write a few Sentences below about the story this picture is telling. Get creative!

8. What is the definition of the word inference?
Inference- An educated guess based upon your observations.

9. Lets Practice In order to make observations, an observer must use
Experiments
The senses
Proportions
Mathematical calculations

10. Questions Continued
2. A pebble found in a dry field has rounded edges. An instructor says that the pebble has been rolled over and over in a flowing stream. His comment can best be classified as 1. An inference 2. A fact 3. A description 4. An observation

11. Questions Continued
3. Which descriptive term illustrates an inference? 1. Transparent 2. Bitter 3. Younger 4. Smooth

12. Questions Continued
4. While on a field trip to a large lake in New York State, an observer recorded four statements about this lake. Which of these statements is most likely an inference? 1. The lake was formed by glacial action 2. The water is clear enough to see the bottom. 3. The log is floating in the lake. 4. There is algae on the lake.

13. Questions Continued
5. A prediction of next winter’s weather is an example of 1. A measurement 2. A classification 3. An observation 4. An inference