Observation vs Interpretation
Notice the difference between what you observed and what you think it means — 'the ice melted' is an observation; 'the ice melted because of the heat' is an interpretation
What a learner can do afterwards
- observation vs interpretation in primary science
- BERA: children's observation skills in nature
The lesson
When something happens, you can say two kinds of things about it. An observation is what you notice with your senses: what you see, hear, touch, or smell. An interpretation is your idea about why it happened or what it means.
Zara looks at her plant. She says, 'The leaves are droopy.' That is an observation, she can see it. Then she says, 'It needs water.' That is an interpretation, her idea about why the leaves look that way.
To check which one you are saying, ask yourself: did I sense this myself, or am I guessing why it happened? Sensing it is an observation. Guessing why is an interpretation.
An observation is what you notice; an interpretation is your idea about why it happened.
Watch it
Where it sits
Learn first
Where this leads
8 questions wait behind this lesson, each with its answer explained. Every answer feeds the sky: stars light as they are learned, and dim when it is time to come back.