Lesson Plan

Inference vs. Observation in Archeology

Earth lodge

You can observe an earth lodge and infer people's activities inside it.

NPS photo.

Grade Level:
Upper Elementary: Third Grade through Fifth Grade
Subject:
Science,Social Studies
Lesson Duration:
60 Minutes
Additional Standards:
K-4:2b, 2d, 2f   
5-8: 1c, 2d, 2f
Thinking Skills:
Applying: Apply an abstract idea in a concrete situation to solve a problem or relate it to a prior experience. Evaluating: Make informed judgements about the value of ideas or materials. Use standards and criteria to support opinions and views.

Essential Question

How can we tell the difference between an inference and an observation?

Objective

Students will: 1) Explain the difference between inference and observation and 2) Analyze an “artifact” making observation and inference statements.

Background

This lesson plan is one in a series that uses archeology to teach concepts everyone needs to know. It can be used as-is, or be customized with images, objects, or stories representative of a particular park or place. Lesson plans in this series are:

Preparation

Print out the file, "Traveling Family" so each student will have a worksheet.

Gather a cheese stick (like string cheese), a candle wick, and a candleholder. Slice open the cheese stick and lay in the wick. Sit the cheese stick upright in the candleholder. Sit it at the front of the room, or somewhere the students cannot get a close look at what you are holding.

Materials

Download Traveling Family worksheet

Lesson Hook/Preview

Write the words "inference" and "observation" on the board. Explain to the students that they will learn how to tell the differences between the two concepts.

Light the “candle” and walk around the room. Ask the students to make observations about the object in your hand. Don't get too close to the students and don't stand in one place for too long.

After a minute or two, blow out the “candle” and take a bite! The students will freak out. Give them a minute to quiet down.

Share the definitions of inference and observation.

  • An observation is made using your senses. It is based on facts -- not assumptions -- about what you observe. An observation must be specific and accurate, so that it means the same to everyone.

  • An inference is an explanation for an observation. It combines what is already known with what is observed.

Review with students their observations about the “candle.”

Ask: Which of these observations are actually inferences? For example, if the students claimed that the lit object was a candle, explain why that is inference instead of observation.

Procedure

Explain to the class that archeologists use observation and inference to learn about past cultures. They observe sites and the artifacts from them. Next, archeologists make inferences about the people who used the artifacts and what they did with them. For example, an archeologist observes artifacts including beads, thimbles, buttons, and needles at an archeological site. The archeologist infers that someone did sewing there in the past.

Have the class split into small groups to complete the "Traveling Family" activity.

  • Pass out the "Traveling Family" worksheet.

  • Instruct the groups to observe the picture and read the sentences, then determine whether the statement is an observation or an inference. The students should place an "I" next to inference statements and an "O" next to observation statements.

  • As a class, have the groups report on which statements are inferences or observations. Ask each group to explain why, using the definitions of both words.

Vocabulary

Archeology: The study of the past based on the material evidence that people left behind

Artifact: An object made or used by humans 

Inference: A conclusion reached on the basis of evidence and reasoning

Observation: A statement based on evidence that one has seen, heard, or noticed
 

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Tags: archeology archaeology

Last updated: January 15, 2025