August 17, 2010

• Objective: TSWBAT explain why

observations are important in
science (6-1.2)


• Essential Question: How can I make

an observation?
– Why are observations important?
–
• Falcon Focus: In one sentence
describe what the word “science”
means to you.
 Notebook
• 5 tabs
– Tab 1 : Falcon Focus
– Tab 2 : Notes
– Tab 3 : Labs
– Tab 4 : Vocabulary
– Tab 5 : Graded Work (Tests and
Quizzes)
 Notes
• Each day you will be expected to
take notes on what we learn in
class.
• You should have the following on
each page of notes.
– Date in the top right hand corner
– Lesson Title on top of page

 Word Parts
• Ante (before)
• Anti (against)
• Bi / Bin (two)
• Circum (around)
• Con / Com (with or together)
•
• Please put these in the vocabulary
section of your notes.
Observations
 Vocabulary
• Observation – a statement that
describes an object or event using
your five senses
• Qualitative – an observation that
describes the color, shape, texture,
taste, sound, etc.
• Quantitative – an observation that
uses numbers (length, width,
height, mass, etc) or compares
(greater than, less than)
 Observations
• Observations use your five senses to
describe the world around you.
– They describe only what you see
directly. Sometimes you see
something happen and you can
guess why, but unless you actually
see it happen it’s not an
observation.
 Qualitative Observation
• An observation that does NOT
involve numbers
 Quantitative Observation
• Uses numbers or comparisons
 FACTS vs. OPINIONS
• We can make two kinds of
observations: FACTS and OPINIONS
– Facts are things that are true for
everyone.
– Opinions may be true for only a few
people and are based on personal
preference.
–
• Good scientific observations are
based on facts.
 Why are observations
important in science?
• Brainstorm – what do you think?
 Practice
• Using the object that you have been
given practice making factual
observations.
– Write down 3 quantitative and 3
qualitative observations on a slip of
paper.
 Closure
• How do you feel about observations?
– Thumbs up – feel good, no questions
– Thumbs sideways – mostly
understand, might have a few
questions
– Thumbs down – don’t understand, has
lots of questions