Minds On

What is a fact?

Brainstorm

Fact vs. Opinion

What is a fact? Can you provide an example?

What is an opinion? Can you provide an example?

Detective work

A fact is a statement that can be proven to be true or false.

An opinion is a statement that shows someone’s idea or belief and cannot be proven true or false.

Let’s examine a page from I Love Guinea Pigs by Dick King Smith.

In this book, the author is stating his opinions about guinea pigs and providing the reader with some facts. Examine the page independently, or with a partner if possible, and determine which parts of the paragraph are facts and which parts are opinion.

Cover of I Love Guinea Pigs by Dick King Smith

They come in tons of different colors, and they can be smooth-coated or rough-coated or long-coated, not to mention the other varieties. I’ve had hundreds of guinea pigs over the last fifty years, but I’ve always liked the Abyssinians best.

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

If possible, share your findings with a peer.

I Love Guinea Pigs is told from the first person point of view or the narrator’s perspective. We know this because of the use of the word "I've."

Why do you think authors use first person point of view? How does first person point of view affect the story?

Record your ideas using a method of your choice. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Action

Fact or opinion: You decide

In the Minds On, we examined the difference between fact and opinion. Facts are statements about something that can be examined and proven to be true or false. An author might use signal words to describe a fact. Signal words for facts could include: numbers, always, predict, prove, demonstrate, statistics, dates and records.

Opinions are beliefs, ideas, or judgements that cannot be proven. When author's include opinions, they might include language from the first person perspective such as: I, me, myself. They might also include signal words like: good, bad, guess, feel, think, prefer, possibly or believe.

Consider the How Can I Tell the Difference Between… chart. What type of language is included on the opinion side? These are opinion-based words. These words help you to determine that you are reading an opinion.

Examine the How Can I Tell the Difference Between… printable document.

How Can I Tell the Difference Between…
Fact Opinion
A fact can be proven to be true or false. An opinion is statement that shows someone’s belief and cannot be proven right or wrong.

Examples of fact words:

  • numbers and statistics
  • names
  • places
  • time and dates
  • historical events
  • scientific data
  • references
  • non-fiction

Examples of opinion words:

  • I like/dislike
  • I believe
  • I feel
  • I think
  • it seems to me
  • in my opinion
  • best, worst
  • always, never

Questions to Consider:

  1. Does this statement express beliefs and/or feelings?
  2. Can this statement be proven?
  3. Can you test it?
  4. Can you check with an expert?

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the How Can I Tell the Difference Between… chart. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Read the sentences out loud and decide whether each statement is fact or opinion. You can sort the sentences into groups, create a chart by typing, writing or using speech to text, or record your ideas using an audio recording. If possible, share your ideas with a partner.

Consider the Fact or Opinion Cards printable document.

Fact or Opinion Cards

Card 1
The earth is getting warmer, but I believe that it’s the same as what’s always happened over time.

Card 2
We need to help our planet by being mindful of the choices we make.

Card 3
Plants absorb the carbon dioxide.

Card 4
It’s still cold outside.

Card 5
The earth’s average surface temperature has risen since the late 19th century.

Card 6
The mass of the Greenland and Antarctic ice have changed.

Card 7
I believe we can make positive impacts and help to save the planet.

Card 8
I think that renewable energy can make a positive impact.

Card 9
Reducing the use of cars helps to lower pollution.

Card 10
Global sea level rose approximately 20 centimeters in the last century.

Card 11
There are opportunities for people of any age to get involved to help save the planet.

Card 12
Sun and wind are great renewable energy sources.

Card 13
Reducing, reusing and recycling all help the planet.

Card 14
The ocean temperature has increased since 1969.

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Fact or Opinion Cards. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Are you sure?

We are going to explore the following interview with David Suzuki about Climate change. After the video, you will have a chance to reflect on your ideas.

Consider…

Now that we have determined which are fact and which are opinion, let us build onto our understanding and reflect on additional ways in which we can help save the planet.

Consolidation

What’s your opinion of the facts?

Conduct your own research to find a text which shares strategies to help protect the planet. Examine the text and identify the important facts explored.

Record the facts using the graphic organizer below, or another method of your choice. Then, express your own opinions on the facts you chose. Did you learn anything new about ways to protect the planet? How do you feel about the facts presented in the text?

Complete the Fact or Opinion Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.

Fact or Opinion Chart

Fact

My opinion

Fact

My opinion

Fact

My opinion

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Fact or Opinion Chart. 

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Student Success

Think-Pair-Share

If possible, share your ideas with a partner. What is different? What is the same? If you have different opinions, have a conversation, and explain your perspective.

Note to teachers: See your teacher guide for collaboration tools, ideas and suggestions.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel...

Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.