Fact or Fiction: Teacher Script

Introduction: What's the Big Idea? (5 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to put on our thinking caps and explore something super important: how our brains process all the information we encounter every single day. Have you ever heard something and wondered, 'Is that really true?' Or maybe you've heard someone say something and thought, 'Hmm, that's just their opinion!'"

(Transition to Slide 1 - Your Brain: Fact or Fiction?)

"Our lesson today, 'Your Brain: Fact or Fiction?', is all about sharpening your critical thinking skills. It's about learning to sort through information so you can make sense of the world around you, make smart decisions, and even have better conversations. Our goal is to understand the difference between facts and opinions and why it's a really important skill to have."

"To start, in your own words, what do you think is the main difference between a 'fact' and an 'opinion'? Anyone want to share their initial thoughts?"

(Allow 2-3 students to share ideas.)

Fact vs. Opinion Deep Dive (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 2 - Fact vs. Opinion: The Basics)

"Great ideas! Let's get a clearer picture. As you can see on the slide, a fact is a statement that can be proven true or false. We can use evidence, like scientific data, observations, or historical records, to confirm it. For example, 'The sun is a star.' We have plenty of scientific evidence to prove that."

"An opinion, on the other hand, is a personal belief, feeling, or judgment. It can't be proven true or false because it's based on how someone feels or thinks. For example, 'Summer is the best season.' Someone else might think winter is the best! Both are valid feelings, but neither can be proven universally true."

(Transition to Slide 3 - Quick Check! Fact or Opinion?)

"Alright, let's put your understanding to the test with a 'Quick Check!' I'm going to read out some statements. If you think the statement is a fact, give me a thumbs up. If you think it's an opinion, give me a thumbs down. Be ready to explain your choice!"

Statement 1: "Water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius."
(Pause for student response. Then ask:) "Why is this a fact? What kind of evidence could we use to prove it?"

Statement 2: "Pizza is the most delicious food."
(Pause for student response. Then ask:) "Why is this an opinion? How do you know it can't be proven?"

Statement 3: "Dogs are better pets than cats."
(Pause for student response. Then ask:) "What makes this an opinion? Can someone who thinks cats are better be wrong?"

Statement 4: "The human heart has four chambers."
(Pause for student response. Then ask:) "How could we prove this is a fact? Where would we find that evidence?"

Why Does It Matter? (10 minutes)

(Transition to Slide 4 - Why Does It Matter?)

"You did great with those! Now, let's talk about why this skill of telling facts from opinions is so incredibly important, especially for you right now. Think about all the information that comes your way every day: from social media, news headlines, friends, advertisements, even TV shows."

"Why do you think it's important to be able to tell the difference? How could it help you in real life?"

(Encourage students to share their thoughts. Guide the discussion using the points on the slide:)

• Making good decisions: "If you're deciding what to believe or how to act, do you want to base it on proven truth or just someone's feeling?"
• Understanding the news: "When you read an article or watch the news, how does knowing this help you understand what's really happening versus what someone thinks about it?"
• Being a smart consumer: "Think about commercials or ads. Are they usually full of facts or opinions? How does knowing that help you decide if you really need something?"
• Having respectful conversations: "If someone has a different opinion than you, does that mean they're wrong? How can knowing the difference help you discuss things more respectfully?"
• Avoiding misinformation: "In today's world, it's easy to spread things that aren't true. How can being good at spotting facts help you avoid believing or sharing false information?"

"Can anyone think of a specific time recently where knowing the difference between a fact and an opinion would have been really useful for you or someone you know?"

(Allow a few students to share brief anecdotes.)

Cool Down: Reflection (5 minutes)

"Fantastic discussion today, everyone. You've taken some great steps in becoming critical thinkers! To wrap up, I have a quick cool-down activity for you."

"Please take one Fact or Fiction Cool Down sheet. On it, I'd like you to write down one important thing you learned today about facts, opinions, or critical thinking, and one question you still have. This will help me see what stuck with you and what we might need to revisit."

"When you're finished, please place your cool-down sheet in the basket/tray by the door as your exit ticket. Thank you!"

Fact or Fiction Cool Down

Name: ____________________________

Reflect and Connect

1. One Big Idea: What is one important thing you learned today about facts, opinions, or critical thinking?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Lingering Question: What is one question you still have about facts, opinions, or how to be a critical thinker?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Real-World Connection: Describe a situation outside of school where you think it would be important to tell the difference between a fact and an opinion.