Observation & Inference 9/6/12

Observation & Inference 9/6/12

Warm Up On your Observation vs. Inference Page of your IAN: Write down (at least!) 4 observations and 2 inferences about the picture.

Ohh… This liquid is green and it is leaking from a brown can. I also smell it. What is an Observation? A factual statement based on information gathered from the five senses. There are 2 types: -Qualitative -Quantitative Observation Words: Hear See Taste Smell Fact Measured Statement

Quantitative & Qualitative Observations • Quantitative – measureable or countable • 3 meters long • 4 marbles • 50 kilograms • 35 degrees Celsius • Qualitative – describable, not measureable • red flowers • smells like fresh baked cookies • Tastes bitter

Based on my observations, I think that is can is old and leaking a toxic substance. What is an Inference? Using observations to make a guess or testable hypothesis about an object or an outcome THIS CAN BE A SCIENTIFIC OPINION Inference Words: Judgment Opinion Conclusion Explains Interpretation

What do you think? Observations: • I hear people screaming • I smell cotton candy, popcorn, and hamburgers • I see a lot of people Inference = ?

Look at these two sets of animal tracks. List 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Now what do you think? Make 3 OBSERVATIONS Make an INFERENCE

Activity Page www.middleschoolscience.com/footprints-isn.pdf In your science notebook, write your conclusion.

Bull’s Eye Comparison Draw a 2 topic bull’s eye in IAN: -Name one side of the bull’s eye “observation,” and the other side “inference.” -Differences between the two topics belong on outside sections, similarities belong in the center.

Observation & Inference 9/6/12