Build Mastery: Fact and Opinion
From FreeReading
| Lesson Type: | Build Mastery |
| Grade: | K, 1, 2, 3 |
| Group Size: | Small Group, Large Group, Whole Class |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
| Goal: | Given a book, students will be able to identify facts and opinions in it. |
Materials: A fiction or nonfiction book to read out loud, two sheets of paper, marker
What to Do
Prepare
Make sure that the book has both facts and opinions in it. This may be hard to find. You may choose to write a short story or essay instead to give your students practice with this skill. On the three sheets of paper, write the following: Fact, Opinion, and I’m not sure. Tape up the sheets in three corners of your classroom.
Model/Instruct
1. Explain the lesson.
Today we will do a three corner activity. I will read a book. When I get to a fact or opinion I will stop reading. You will decide if it is a fact or an opinion. You will go to that corner. If you don’t know, go to the corner that says I’m not sure.
2. Review how to choose which corner to go to.
Let’s do an example. Don’t walk anywhere yet, just think about where you would go. The sentence from the book is “I think all candy is delicious.” Where would you go? Why?
Call on students to answer.
That’s right. That sentence is an opinion. Some people might not like all kinds of candy.
When you get to your corner, explain what made you decide to go there.
Practice
3. Do the three-corner activity.
We are going to be reading the book __________ by __________.
I’m going to read the book. I will pause after certain sentences to give you time to decide if it is a fact or an opinion and go to your corner. Remember, when you are at your corner, each person should explain why they thought it was a fact or an opinion. If you are in the I don’t know corner, discuss with the other people there why you are not sure.
Read the book, pausing at facts and opinions. Allow students time to get to their corner and discuss the sentence.
Repeat the process throughout the book.
4. Make sure that each student understands why each statement was a fact or an opinion.
Adjust
For Advanced Students:
Encourage these students to use some of the facts from the book to write a short piece with no opinions.
For Struggling Students:
Remind these students to think about whether or not someone could argue with the statement or have a different idea about it. If so, it is an opinion. If not, it is a fact.
For ELL Students:
These students may need help understanding the signs at the three corners. Make sure students understand the terminology and that they are not just going to corners based on what other students are doing.
Related activities