The science classroom is a great place for teaching students to differentiate between an observation and an inference, but what is the best way to accomplish this? One of the first things I observed as an educator is that repetition is critical to the process of learning.  Aristotle said that "it is frequent repetition that produces a natural tendency" (De Memoria, Ross Trans., 113).  We can't teach the difference between observation and inference one year, say fourth grade, and then check it off the list and call it done. This concept, like all foundational concepts, must be introduced in the classroom many times to provide the varied experiences and neural connections that lead to long-term learning.  At Scientific Minds, we build repetition into our Science Starters and Science Sidekicks with a spiraling process.

There are many ways that teachers can reinforce the concepts of observation and inference from the early elementary grades through high school.  One of the simplest is to show the students a picture, such as the one below, and ask them to create a T-chart.   On one side they will list their observations and on the other side their inferences.

Another activity is Scholastic's Mystery Bags.  This is a fun way to teach the process of making observations and forming inferences.  It reminds me of a similar activity that my students enjoyed and I had fun preparing.

To prepare for this activity, pack one bag per group with items that could belong to a person who would be familiar to the students.  This person could be a well-known teacher, administrator, community person, super hero or celebrity (think Lady Gaga).  Pack the bags before class with items that are a clue to the identity of the individual.  Number each bag and create a key to the identity of the “owner” of each bag.

 Students will discuss with group members the items in the bag and how these items can be used to infer the identity of the owner.  Each group will record the person whom they have inferred as the bag’s owner.  When the teacher gives the signal, each group will pass its bag to the next group. Repeat until all groups have inferred the owner of each bag.  Finally, the teacher will reveal the identity of the each bag’s owner.  

What are some strategies you have used to teach observations and inferences?

Subscribe to our blog to receive more teaching tips and free downloads.

Check out the Science Sidekicks (grades 3-5), the Science Starters (grades 6-8), Biology Starters or Chemistry Starters with a Free Trial!

Science Sidekick Demo Lesson (grades 3-5)

Science Starter Demo Lesson (grades 6-8)

Biology Demo Lesson

Chemistry Demo Lesson

Request a Quote