This document is a lesson plan that teaches the difference between observing, inferring, and predicting. The lesson begins by having students define observing as using their senses to gather information. It describes inferring as making explanations or interpretations of observations based on prior knowledge, and predicting as forecasting what will happen in the future based on past experiences. Students then watch a video clip and practice writing observations, inferences, and predictions about it. The lesson concludes by having students summarize the differences between the three skills.

1. [NAME____________________________________ PERIOD ____] August 31, 2010
Learning Objective
Today, I will be able to differentiate between observing, inferring and predicting.
Checking For Understanding
What are we going to do today? Today, ___________________________________________________________.
Activate (or provide) Prior Knowledge
Athletes need certain skills to be considered good in their field. Skills can be developed over
time with constant correct practice. Talk to your partner and identify the skills needed to
become a great soccer player.
CFU
Give me one skill that a soccer player needs to learn. One skill needed by a soccer player is ______________.
How can a person develop a skill? A person can _____________________________________________________.
Concept Development
____________ is the act of using one or more of your senses to gather information. Your senses
include ________, ________, ________, ________, and ________. The information gathered is
called an observation.
There are two types of observations:
1. Qualitative observations describe what we Ex 1. The flower has yellow petals.
observe. Qualitative comes from the root Ex 2.
word quality (descriptive).
2. Quantitative observations measure what Ex 1. The flower has eight petals.
we observe. These observations use Ex 2.
numbers to measure something. Quantity
came from the root word quantity
(numerical).
CFU
What is observing? Observing is ___________________________________________________________________.
What do you gather when you observe? I gather _____________________________________________________.
What do you use when you are observing? I use ______________________________________________________.
You are ___________ or making an inference when you explain or interpret the things you
observe. Inferences are based on what you know. Inferences are not always correct.
Observation: Possible Inferences:
Ex 1. The grass on the school’s lawn is wet. A. It rained.
B. The sprinkler was on.
C. A dog urinated on the grass!
1 Science 7.7 Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.

2. [NAME____________________________________ PERIOD ____] August 31, 2010
Ex 2.
CFU
What is inferring? Inferring is ___________________________________________________________________.
What do you do with your observations when you infer? You ___________________________________________.
Thumbs up (True) / Thumbs down (False)
1. An inference is an explanation or interpretation of what you observed.
2. Inferences are based on what you know.
3. Inferences are always correct.
_____________ means making a forecast of what will happen in the future based on past
experience. A prediction is an inference about the future. You explain what will happen in the
future after observing something.
Observation: Prediction:
Ex 1. The floor is wet. A. The janitor will mop the floor dry.
B. Somebody walking by will slip.
Ex 2.
CFU
What is predicting? Predicting means ______________________________________________________________.
Importance
Observing, inferring and predicting are important skills that need to be developed by
individuals. Learning them can help a person make good decisions in life.
CFU
Give one example when you used observing, inferring or predicting in your life. (Think‐Pair‐Share)
2 Science 7.7 Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.

3. [NAME____________________________________ PERIOD ____] August 31, 2010
Skill Development/Guided Practice
Watch the video clip. Write 2 observations, 2 inferences and 2 predictions about the event
(Think‐Pair‐Share).
Observations
1.
2.
Inferences
1.
2.
Predictions
1.
2.
Closure
What is the difference between observing, inferring and predicting? (Think‐Pair‐Share)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Independent Practice
In your Do Now Homework sheet, answer 1.b. on page 12.
3 Science 7.7 Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations.