Fact vs Opinion Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Voice Lab: Lesson 1
Fact vs Opinion Lab
"How do I feel about that?"
Objective
Students will distinguish between facts (true for everyone) and opinions (feelings that vary).
Duration
30-40 Minutes
Materials
Slide Deck, "Fact vs Opinion" Sort, scissors, glue.
1 Hook: The Mystery Box
Hold up an apple. State a Fact : "This apple is red." Ask if everyone agrees. Then, state an Opinion : "This is the most delicious snack in the world." Ask if everyone agrees. Some might like bananas better!
2 Direct Instruction: The Voice Lab Rule
Fact: Something we can prove (it's true for everyone).
Opinion: How we feel or what we think (it can be different for everyone).
Use the "Thumb Test": Thumb up for Fact, hand on heart for Opinion.
3 Guided Practice
Project the Fact vs Opinion Slide Deck . Go through the examples together. Ask: "Can we prove it?" or "Is that just how you feel?"
Key Discussion Prompts
"Why might your friend have a different opinion than you?"
"Can an opinion be 'wrong'? (No, it's just your thought!)"
"If I say 'Pizza is yummy,' is that a fact or an opinion?"
Differentiation & Support
Scaffolding (Support)
Use visual picture cards for the sorting activity instead of just text.
Partner students up for the "Thumb Test" to allow for peer discussion.
Provide sentence starters: "I think..." and "It is..."
Extension (Challenge)
Ask students to change a Fact into an Opinion (e.g., "The sky is blue" → "Blue is the prettiest color").
Have students draw their own fact and opinion about a chosen animal.
Assessment: Check for Understanding
Observe students during the sorting activity. Can they explain why something is an opinion?
Emerging
Labels things they like as "facts" because they feel so true.
Developing
Correctly sorts most items but struggles with neutral statements.
Proficient
Clearly identifies opinions vs. facts and uses "I think."
End of Lesson 1 Fact vs Opinion Slides Voice Lab
Fact vs. Opinion
What's the difference?
What is a Fact?
A Fact is something that is TRUE for everyone.
"We can prove it is true!"
☀️
The sun is hot.
That's a Fact!
What is an Opinion?
An Opinion is how you FEEL or what you think.
"It might be different for everyone!"
🍦
Chocolate is the best flavor.
That's an Opinion!
Game Time!
Is it a FACT or an OPINION?
Fact = Thumbs Up
Opinion = Hand on Heart
🐶
"Dogs have four legs."
FACT
OPINION
🥦
"Broccoli is gross."
FACT
OPINION
Let's Sort it Out!
Time to head back to your desk and show what you know in the Fact vs. Opinion Lab!
Fact vs Opinion Sort Activity Opinion Lab
The Great Sort!
Name
Date
Instructions: Cut out the cards at the bottom. Glue them into the correct box! Use your "Thumb Test" to check.
FACT
Things we can prove are TRUE.
OPINION
How we feel or what we think.
🐘
Elephants are big.
🍎
Apples are the best snack.
🌧️
Rain is wet.
🐱
Cats are cuter than dogs.
🔢
One plus one is two.
⚽
Soccer is a fun game.
My Favorite Things Slides Voice Lab
My Favorite Things
What do YOU think?
My Opinion Matters!
When we share what we LIKE, we are sharing an OPINION.
"Nobody can tell you your opinion is wrong. It belongs to you!"
🍎
Apples
🍌
Bananas
🍇
Grapes
🍓
Strawberries
Smart Starters
Use these special words to start your opinion:
1
"I like..."
2
"I think..."
🧸
What is your favorite toy?
"I like my _______."
Turn and tell a partner!
Opinion Planner
Time to draw and write about your favorite things in your Opinion Lab Journal!
Favorite Things Organizer Favorite Things
Opinion Lab
Name
Date
"This is what I think!"
Choose your favorite thing in each box. Draw a picture of it and complete the sentence starter!
My Favorite Color
I like .
My Favorite Animal
I like .
My Favorite Snack
I like .
My Favorite Game
I like .
Lab Tip
Remember: Use a capital I and a period at the end!
Power of Because Slides Voice Lab
The Power of Because
Why do you think that?
The Magic Word
because
This word is a bridge! It connects your opinion to your REASON.
Building the Bridge
1
Opinion: "I like summer..."
BECAUSE
2
Reason: "...it is hot and sunny!"
🥦
Opinion: "I don't like broccoli."
Why? BECAUSE...
"...it tastes like dirt."
"...it looks like a tree."
Bridge Builders
Time to use the word "because" to connect your opinions to your great reasons!
Because Bridge Worksheet The Because Bridge
Opinion Lab
Name
My Opinion
I like...
Draw your opinion here
because
My Reason
It is...
Draw your reason here
Write Your Sentence
I
like
because
.
Capital Letter
Finger Spaces
Punctuation
Pick a Side Worksheet Pick a Side
The Great Debate
Name
Which one is better?
Pick one side and tell us why! Don't forget to use your magic word: because.
🐶
DOGS
🐱
CATS
Draw your choice and reason
I think
are
because
.
Pick a Side Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Voice Lab: Lesson 4
Pick a Side Challenge
"Dogs or Cats? You decide!"
Objective
Students will choose between two options and state an opinion with a reason using 'because'.
Duration
30-40 Minutes
Key Skill
Making a choice and justifying it with personal reasoning.
1 Hook: Four Corners
Designate one side of the rug for "Dogs" and the other for "Cats". Have students move to their choice. Ask a few students: "Why are you on this side?" Remind them to use the bridge word: "I'm here because ..."
2 Modeling: Thinking Out Loud
Model choosing one side. "I think cats are better because they are quiet." Write this on the board, pointing out the word 'because'. Then, show how to model the other side too, so students know either choice is okay!
3 Guided Writing
Distribute the Pick a Side Worksheet . Help students identify the "Dogs" and "Cats" icons. Have them circle their favorite before they start drawing or writing.
Debate Protocol
After writing, have students find a "debate partner" (someone who picked the other side). They should say: "I respect your opinion, but I like [Dogs/Cats] because..." This builds social skills and oral language.
Focus on Oral Justification + Because usage
Opinion Masterpiece Final Template Opinion Lab Final
My Masterpiece
Author:
.
Opinion
Because
Reason
I shared my voice!