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Students practice distinguishing between statements of fact and statements of opinion.
Imagine two friends looking at a puppy. One says, 'This puppy has four legs.' The other says, 'This is the cutest puppy in the world!' Can they both be right, even if they are saying different things?
A fact is something that is true for everyone, everywhere. It is a statement that can be proven or checked. Facts don't change based on how you feel. For example, if you count the wheels on a car, you will see there are 4. This is a fact because anyone can count them and get the same answer. In math, we use facts all the time, like . No matter who does the math, the answer stays the same!
Let's look at a clock to find a fact: 1. Observe the object: A round clock on the wall. 2. State something you can prove: 'The clock has the numbers 1 through 12 on it.' 3. Check it: Can your friend see the numbers too? Yes! This is a fact.
Quick Check
If I say 'The sun is a star,' is that a fact or an opinion?
Answer
It is a fact because scientists can prove the sun is a star.
An opinion is how someone feels or thinks about something. Opinions are not right or wrong, but they can be different for everyone! You might think broccoli is delicious, but your friend might think it is yucky. Neither of you is wrong; you just have different opinions. We often use 'clue words' for opinions, like best, worst, pretty, or favorite.
Let's look at a box of crayons: 1. Statement A: 'There are crayons in this box.' (This is a fact because we can count them). 2. Statement B: 'Blue is the prettiest color in the box.' (This is an opinion because someone else might think red is prettier).
Quick Check
Is the sentence 'Apples are the best snack' a fact or an opinion?
Answer
It is an opinion because not everyone thinks apples are the 'best.'
To tell the difference, ask yourself: 'Can I prove this with a measurement or a book?' If yes, it's a fact. Ask: 'Is this just how I feel?' If yes, it's an opinion. Sometimes people try to make opinions sound like facts. A detective looks for numbers () to find facts and 'feeling words' (great, scary, fun) to find opinions.
Try to make one of each for your pencil: 1. Fact: 'My pencil is inches long.' (You can use a ruler to prove it). 2. Opinion: 'My pencil is too short.' (Someone with a smaller hand might think it is just right!)
Which of these is a FACT?
Which of these is an OPINION?
True or False: An opinion can be proven true with a ruler or a book.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, look at your breakfast. Can you tell your family one fact and one opinion about it?
Practice Activity
Find a book you like. Tell a friend the name of the book (Fact) and why you think it is exciting (Opinion).