Fact vs. Opinion

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Home : 2004 : March : 17

Fact vs. Opinion
By CQ

I've used several different subjects to introduce both 4th and 5th grade to fact and opinion: endangered species, hunting, soft drinks, snack foods at school, smoking....Let's use snack foods as an example.

When students
first enter the room I have a "new" set of classroom rule(s) posted on the whiteboard. Let's use snack foods, for instance.
Snack foods will no longer be allowed on the school campus, be it in vending machines or lunch boxes. Any parent caught aiding and abetting their child in their pursuance of a snack will be forever barred from holding a public office.
Reasons for the new "rule":
1.

Snack foods cause unhealthy children. Related illnesses are obesity, hyperactivity, emotional problems.
2. Snack foods promote stealing. If you want one and don't have one you will steal to get one.
3. Snack foods causes jealousy. Students hate other students who get to have snacks.
4. Snack foods cause bad grades. A student becomes so obsessed with snack foods that they don't study.

And on and on...I allow the new rules to sink in, telling the students I am quite busy now but we will discuss the rules later. Usually the heated discussion leads students to understand the difference between "fact" and "opinion". Of course,I guide them along the way.

Hope this helps.