Recognizing the difference between Observation and Interpretation

1
Recognizing the difference between Observation
and Interpretation

• a chance to practice before doing observation 1

2
Read each sentence and decide whether you think
it is an objective observation or an
interpretation..

• Observation What did they do and say
• Interpretation what does this action mean?

3
He was happy when he skipped across the
playground.
4
This is an interpretation.

• The word happy makes this interpretation.
• He skipped across the playground is objective.

5
He smiled.
6
This is an objective observation. (A smile is a
recognizable feature).

• The preceding sentence would have been objective
  if it said He smiled as he skipped across the
  playground.

7
She was angry because the boy took her toy.
8
The phrase, she was angry makes this an
interpretation.

• Objective observation
• The boy took the toy away from her. She stomped
  her foot and said, Give me that back!

9
She tossed and turned on the mat.
10
Nice objective observation.

• Had it said, She ws not tired because she tossed
  and turned on the mat that would make it an
  interpretation.

11
She made a face at snack because she doesnt like
pineapples.
12
Interpretation.

• An objective observation would be She scrunched
  up her nose and said, I dont like pineapples.

13
The child carefully crossed the wooden plank.
14
Interpretation

• An objective observation would have been The
  child crossed the wooden plank slowly by putting
  one foot in front of the other. Her arms were
  out-stretched.

15
The key to remembering the difference

• Objective Observation What did the person DO
  and SAY?
• Interpretation What might this mean?