Listing the Facts

What You Need:

• Fact Detective worksheet
• Crayons

What You Do:

1. Complete the Fact Detective worksheet, and cut out and place the facts and opinions around your home.
2. Ask your child if they have ever heard of the word "fact". Have them share what "fact" means.
3. Share the following definition of fact: "a statement that can be proven to be true."
4. Ask your child to list some facts. (E.g. The sky is blue. Sunflowers are yellow.)
5. After they state each fact, ask them if it can be proven true to assess their understanding.
6. Tell your child that there are facts and opinions placed throughout the house on pieces of paper. Explain that you two are going to play the role of detective to see if you can search and find as many facts as possible. (Tell them how many facts are placed around the house.)
7. Tell your child that some of the papers are opinions, not facts, and that they will have to decide which is truly a fact.
8. Ask them if they can give an example of an opinion. (E.g. I like ice cream. The floor is cold.)
9. After they state each opinion, ask them if they can be proven true. Reiterate that opinions are judgements and can not neccessarily be proven.
10. Give your child 15–20 minutes to complete the Fact Detective scavenger hunt and search for facts throughout the house.
11. Once they have found all the facts, have them return to you and explain why each statement is a fact, not an opinion.