Observations and Inferences

I saw him get into the car

observation

I saw the skunk go behind the garage

observation

I see a furry yellow and black insect. observe or infer?

observation

We may have the same _____ but come to very different _____.

observations, inferences

Inferences are based on

observations, past experiences, thinking

If I describe or measure the properties of something, I have _________

observed

If I am collecting data, recording numbers, what was seen, measurements, and information in tables, describing the patterns of numbers, what am I doing?

observing

What information comes from tasting? Name all four

salty, bitter, sweet, sour

What information comes from smelling? Name three

scent of spices, food types, flowers, rotten

What information comes from touching? Name three

shape, size, texture, material,

List the five senses

sight, hearing, touch, smell, taste

I feel a rectangle shape that is about an inch wide, squishy, rough texture, and changes shape when I squeeze it. What could I infer it to be?

sponge like the pink one in class

I think my dog wants to go outside. What observations support my inference?

He is whining and barking. He is near the back door. He hasn't been outside in a while. I have seen him do these things when he wants to go outside.

I see a yellow and black furry bug with six legs flying around flowers making a buzzing sound. What can I infer from my observations

I can infer, it is a bee, it may be springtime, the bee is hungry.

Our cat does not like the neighbor's dog. What observations support my inference?

She has her ears back and is hissing, her hair and tail are puffed out, her back is arched, and she is on top of the mailbox.

What is an inference?

Naming or explaining based on observations and past knowledge

When I infer I use what parts of my body?

brain, thinking and past experience

What information comes from sight? Name three

color, shape, size, texture, material

It is a brown cube with smooth sides.

descriptive observations

When I observe I use what parts of my body?

eyes ears hands/ skin tongue nose

I think dad is grilling steak in the back yard

inference

I think he is trying to get home. observation or inference

inference

I think the boat is sinking.

inference

I think the man likes bowties.

inference

If I name something or explain it, I have __________

inferred

If I am explaining by connecting clues to what I know I am...

inferring

Observations are

information gathered using the senses

What information comes from hearing? Name three

loudness, material, distance away

I measured the worm to be 15cm long.

measured observation

The shell was 10 cm long, weighed 30 grams, and held 15 milliliters of water.

measurement observations