ACTIVITY:
Primary Sources: Observation and Inference
Summary:
Students will observe an historic photograph of a common activity that took place at Camp Nelson and determine
which statements about it are observations and which are inferences.
Length of Time: 30 minutes
Materials: Copies of “Picture This,” one for each small group of students
Projection capability
Instructions
Remind students that as well as being a recruitment center for African American soldiers, Camp Nelson was a supply
depot. There were many wagons to move supplies in and out of the depot, and many mules to pull the wagons. Project
Slide 12.
Divide the students into small groups of 3-4 students. Distribute the copies of “Picture This” and allow them time to discuss and complete the form. If they cannot come to agreement, they can mark an item “undecided.” Ask each group to
present their responses to several questions, explaining their reasoning for determining if a statement is an observation
or an inference. If other groups have come to a different conclusion, allow them to explain their reasoning.
Once the class has come to agreement on which statements are observations and which are inferences, have the small
groups discuss which of the statements that are classified as inferences seem to be justified by observations of the picture.
Slide 12 in the Camp Nelson Power Point
About Slide 12
Although mule and horse shoes were mass-produced
at the time of the Civil War, farriers (blacksmiths who
specialized in shoeing horses and making their shoes)
had to customize each shoe to fit the hooves of each
animal. Camp Nelson would have had many mule
chutes like this one, because the camp maintained so
many horses and mules to transport goods and ammunition.
The chute is a device for lifting the animal to easily
shoe it.The mule is suspended in the air by a sling tied
with ropes to a bar overhead. Its head is immobilized
in a wooden stock-like contraption. The mule’s right
rear leg is extended backward and held in place with
what looks like a leather belt.
The man in front wears a tie and an apron. The other men hold various tools. The man on the right has a small hammer,
likely for hammering in the shoe nails. Tops of the men’s tool boxes are visible in the lower left hand corner of the photo.
This activity adapted from “Activity 2: Picture This” in “Camp Nelson - A Jessamine County Connection to the Civil War:
An Educator’s Resource Guide and Lesson Plans Designed for Fifth-Grade Teachers.” Jessamine County Education Foundation, Jessamine County Fiscal Court, Jessamine County Schools, and the Kentucky Archaeological Survey, Lexington, 2003.
Used with permission, W. Stephen McBride, 2012.
Social Studies Historic Archaeology • 1
Picture This
Observation/Inference Statements
1.
The mule is sick.
2.
There are four men in the picture.
3.
This picture was taken at Camp Nelson.
4.
One man is wearing an apron and tie.
5.
The mule is in a sling.
6.
The mule’s feet are restrained.
7.
Two tool boxes are in the picture.
8.
The picture was taken in the winter.
9.
10.
The men are blacksmiths or farriers (craftsmen who trim and shoe the hooves of
horses and mules).
One man is using a hammer.
11.
The man with the tie is the supervisor.
12.
These men are soldiers.
13.
These men are civilians.
14.
The mule is happy.
15.
The mule is wearing a bridle.
16.
The men are hurting the mule.
17.
The picture was taken in front of a building.
18.
If it rains, the men will take the mule inside.
19.
The men are getting ready to put shoes on the mule.
20.
The picture was taken during the Civil War.
2•Historic Archaeology Social Studies
Picture This
(Answer Sheet)
Observation/Inference Statements
1. I
The mule is sick.
2. O
There are four men in the picture.
3. I
This picture was taken at Camp Nelson.
4. O
One man is wearing an apron and tie.
5. O
The mule is in a sling.
6. O
The mule’s feet are restrained.
7. O
Two tool boxes are in the picture.
8. I
The picture was taken in the winter.
9. I
10. 11.
O
The men are blacksmiths or farriers (craftsmen who trim and shoe the hooves of
horses and mules).
One man is using a hammer.
I
The man with the tie is the supervisor.
12. I
These men are soldiers.
13.
I
These men are civilians.
14. I
The mule is happy.
15. O
The mule is wearing a bridle.
16. I
The men are hurting the mule.
17. O
The picture was taken in front of a building.
18. I
If it rains, the men will take the mule inside.
19. I
The men are getting ready to put shoes on the mule.
20. I
The picture was taken during the Civil War.
Social Studies Historic Archaeology • 3