English Language Arts
Grade 3
15 min
Distinguish facts from opinions
Distinguish facts from opinions
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1
Introduction & Learning Objectives
Learning Objectives
Define the term 'opinion' in their own words.
Identify at least five signal words that often introduce an opinion (e.g., think, feel, best, worst, favorite).
Explain that an opinion is a personal belief or feeling that cannot be proven true or false.
Distinguish an opinion statement from a fact statement in a simple sentence with 80% accuracy.
Locate the opinion statement within a short, 3-sentence paragraph.
Write two of their own opinion sentences using correct signal words.
Is vanilla the most delicious ice cream flavor in the world? 🍦 Let's talk about what happens when we share what we think and feel!
In this lesson, we will learn all about opinions! We will discover what an opinion is, how to spot one in a story, and how to share our...
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Key Concepts & Vocabulary
TermDefinitionExample
OpinionWhat someone thinks, feels, or believes. An opinion cannot be proven right or wrong for everyone.I think purple is the best color.
FeelingAn emotion you have, like being happy, sad, or scared. Feelings are a big part of opinions.That roller coaster was very scary.
BeliefSomething a person holds to be true for them. It's a strong thought or feeling.I believe that dogs are the friendliest pets.
Signal WordsClue words that often tell you an opinion is coming. They signal a thought or feeling.Words like 'I think,' 'I feel,' 'best,' 'worst,' 'favorite,' 'should,' 'pretty,' and 'yummy'.
Point of ViewThe way a person sees or thinks about something. Everyone has their own unique point...
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Key Rules & Conventions
The 'Can You Prove It?' Test
If a statement cannot be proven true or false with evidence, it is an opinion.
Ask yourself: 'Could I look this up in a book or prove it with facts?' If the answer is no, it's probably an opinion. You can't prove that blue is the 'best' color, so it's an opinion.
Look for Signal Words
Watch for words that express feelings, thoughts, and judgments.
Words like 'I think,' 'I believe,' 'favorite,' 'best,' 'worst,' 'beautiful,' and 'scary' are big clues. When you see them, you are likely reading an opinion.
The 'Can People Disagree?' Test
An opinion is something people can have different ideas about, and no one is wrong....
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Challenging
Leo says, 'Everyone loves to eat ice cream on a hot day.' Why is Leo's statement an opinion, even though many people do like ice cream?
A.Because he is talking about food.
B.Because it uses the word 'everyone,' which is probably not true and cannot be proven.
C.Because he is talking about a hot day.
D.Because ice cream is cold.
Challenging
Sam and Maya are talking about a movie. Sam says, 'That movie was over two hours long.' Maya says, 'It was way too long and boring.' Who is stating a fact?
A.Sam
B.Maya
C.Both Sam and Maya
D.Neither Sam nor Maya
Challenging
Fact: A library is a place where you can borrow books. Based on this fact, which of the following sentences is an opinion?
A.Our school has a library.
B.The library is the most peaceful place in the school.
C.The library is open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
D.I checked out a book about dinosaurs from the library.
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