Truth Seekers Slides Unit 1: The Detective's Eye
Truth Seekers
Distinguishing Fact from Opinion
Real or Rumor?
"Scientists discover a giant lizard living on the moon."
Fact?
Opinion?
"Pizza is the most delicious food ever invented."
Fact?
Opinion?
A detective only cares about the things they can prove.
What is a Fact?
Provable
Can be checked with data, books, or experts.
Consistent
True for everyone, no matter who they are.
Observable
Something we can see, hear, or measure.
Evidence Example
"Water boils at 212°F."
We can measure this with a thermometer. It is a fact.
What is an Opinion?
Evidence Example
"Water is the best drink."
Some people might prefer juice. This is a feeling, not a fact.
A Feeling
Based on personal tastes or emotions.
Changeable
Different people have different opinions.
Biased
Uses words like "best," "worst," "good," or "bad."
The Detective's Toolbox
How to spot the difference in a text.
Fact Signals
• Numbers and Dates
• Scientific Names
• Historical Records
• "According to studies..."
Opinion Signals
• "I believe..." or "I feel..."
• Adjectives (Beautiful, Ugly)
• "Everyone should..."
• "The most [blank] of all..."
Fact Finder Worksheet The Fact Finder
Text Evidence Detectives | Lesson 1
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Detective's Rule: Facts are provable. Opinions are feelings. To find strong evidence, look for the facts!
1
The Sorting Office
Read each statement below. Decide if it is a Fact (F) or an Opinion (O) and write the letter in the box.
Dogs have four legs.
Blue is the prettiest color for a car.
The sun rises in the east.
Vegetables taste disgusting.
There are 12 months in a year.
2
Spot the Signal Words
Circle the opinion words in these sentences that give away that they are not facts.
"I think that video games are boring and a waste of time ."
"Students should always wear uniforms because they look amazing ."
3
Be the Expert
Turn this opinion into a fact by adding data or a measurable statement.
Opinion:
"School lunches are really bad."
Write a FACT about school lunch here:
Teacher Answer Key
1. Sorting Office
F - Dogs have four legs.O - Blue is the prettiest color...F - The sun rises in the east.O - Vegetables taste disgusting.F - There are 12 months...
2. Spot the Signal Words
Correct circles: "think," "boring," "waste of time," "should," "amazing."
3. Be the Expert
Answers will vary. Example: "School lunches at our school cost $2.50." or "The lunch menu includes fruit and milk every day."
Keyword Hunter Slides Unit 2: Speed Scanning
Keyword Hunter
Targeted Scanning: Hunting for Evidence
Word Search Race!
A L P H A B E T E V I D E N C E J K L M
Find these words:
Did you read every letter? No! You scanned for specific shapes.
What is Scanning?
The Technique
Keep the Keyword in your mind.
Move your eyes quickly over the lines.
Don't read every word—look for the letters .
Why Detectives Scan
Real detectives don't read every piece of mail in a house. They scan for a specific Name or Date .
In a text, we scan for keywords from the Prompt to find evidence fast.
The Scanning Process
1
Pick Your Target
What word are you looking for?
2
The S-Pattern
Move eyes in a snake pattern down the page.
3
The Strike
Stop and highlight when you find it!
Scanning Sprint Worksheet Scanning Sprint
Text Evidence Detectives | Lesson 2
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Mission: Find and highlight the target keywords as fast as you can. Do not read the whole story yet!
1
Target Practice
Scan the box below for the word PLASTIC . Every time you find it, circle it!
OCEAN RIVER PLASTIC BOTTLE FISH PLASTIC TRASH WATER PLASTIC RECYCLE BEACH SAND PLASTIC WASTE TURTLE PLASTIC POLLUTION CLEANUP
2
Evidence Scan
Your Prompt:
Why are solar panels better for the environment?
Keywords to scan for: SOLAR , ENERGY , PANELS
Renewable power is growing across the globe. Many cities are looking for ways to reduce pollution. One popular choice is using solar power. These panels are placed on roofs to catch sunlight. This process creates clean energy without burning coal or oil. When we use solar energy , we help keep the air clean. Even though panels can be expensive at first, they save money and the planet in the long run.
3
Reflex Check
How many times did you find SOLAR?
How many times did you find ENERGY?
Teacher Answer Key (Scanning Sprint)
1. Target Practice
The word "PLASTIC" appears 5 times in the box.
2. Evidence Scan
Correct Highlights in text:
solar (line 3)panels (line 4)energy (line 5)solar (line 6)energy (line 6)panels (line 7)
3. Reflex Check
Found SOLAR: 2 times (in the text body)
Found ENERGY: 2 times (in the text body)
Claim and Proof Slides Unit 3: The Color Code
Claim & Proof
Using Two Colors to Organize Evidence
Build the Case
The Crime (Claim)
"The dog ate the homework."
The Evidence (Proof)
Bite marks on the paper.
Dog hair found in the backpack.
To win a case, you need both: a Claim and the Proof.
The Claim
The author's main argument or point.
Answers the question: "What are they trying to prove?"
Usually found at the beginning or end.
Example Claim
"Recess should be thirty minutes longer every day."
Example Proof
"Studies show that students focus 20% better after long breaks."
The Proof
The facts, data, or quotes that support the claim.
Makes the claim believable and strong.
Look for numbers, percentages, and expert names .
Our Detective Color Code
Yellow
Highlight the CLAIM
Blue
Highlight the PROOF
Ready to open our first Case File?
Case File Worksheet The Case File
Text Evidence Detectives | Lesson 3
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Yellow = Claim
Blue = Proof
Detective Mission
Read the case files below. Use your highlighters to find the Claim (what they want) and the Proof (why it's a good idea).
Case File #104
The Screen Time Debate
Many parents worry about how much time children spend on tablets and phones. However, video games can actually help students learn important problem-solving skills. When players encounter a difficult level, they must use logic to find a way out. According to a 2023 study by the Tech Institute, students who play strategy games score 15% higher on logic tests. This shows that gaming is more than just fun; it is a workout for the brain.
Identify the Claim:
Identify one piece of Proof:
Case File #209
The School Breakfast Program
Eating in the morning is a vital part of a student's day. Our school should provide free breakfast for every student. Many children arrive at school hungry, which makes it hard for them to focus on their lessons. Data from the National Health Board shows that hungry students lose 45 minutes of learning time every day. If the school offers breakfast, grades will likely improve across the whole building.
Identify the Claim:
Identify one piece of Proof:
Teacher Answer Key (Case Files)
Case File #104
CLAIM: "video games can actually help students learn important problem-solving skills."
PROOF: "students who play strategy games score 15% higher on logic tests" (from Tech Institute study).
Case File #209
CLAIM: "Our school should provide free breakfast for every student."
PROOF: "hungry students lose 45 minutes of learning time every day" (from National Health Board data).
Evidence Ranking Slides Unit 4: Quality Check
Evidence Ranking
Evaluating Strong vs. Weak Proof
Which Excuse Wins?
Excuse A
"I just didn't feel like doing it."
Rank: ?
Excuse B
"My internet was out for two hours."
Rank: ?
Excuse C
"Here is a note from the doctor saying I was sick."
Rank: ?
A doctor's note is Strong Evidence because it is a fact from an expert.
The "Big Three" of Proof
Numbers
Percentages, dates, and amounts. Hard to argue with!
Experts
Quotes from doctors, scientists, or professors.
Studies
Results from experiments or official records.
New Detective Tools
Once you find the proof (blue), give it a score!
#1
Gold Standard Evidence
Clear numbers or expert quotes. Very convincing.
#2
Silver Standard Evidence
Good reasons, but maybe missing specific numbers.
?
Weak Evidence
Mostly just the author's personal opinion.
Evidence Expert Worksheet Evidence Expert
Text Evidence Detectives | Lesson 4
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Mission: Read the argument. Find the 3 pieces of proof. Label them #1 (Strongest) or #2 (Okay) based on how much they prove the point.
Topic: Animal Conservation
Why Zoos are Important
Claim: Modern zoos play a vital role in protecting endangered animals from extinction.
First, zoos provide a safe place for animals whose homes in the wild have been destroyed. This is helpful because the animals don't have to worry about hunters. Second, zoos have successfully increased the population of the California Condor from just 27 birds to over 500. This shows that breeding programs actually work. Finally, Dr. Sarah Jenkins, a famous wildlife biologist, stated that "without zoos, many species would have disappeared ten years ago."
Rank the Evidence
Rank
"Zoos provide a safe place... animals don't have to worry about hunters."
Why did you give it this rank?
Rank
"Zoos increased the population of California Condors from 27 to over 500."
Why did you give it this rank?
Rank
"Dr. Sarah Jenkins stated 'without zoos, many species would have disappeared.'"
Why did you give it this rank?
Teacher Guide (Evidence Ranking)
Evidence #1: The Safe Place
Suggested Rank: #2 (Okay)
Reason: It is a logical point, but it doesn't provide specific data or an expert quote. It's more of a general statement.
Evidence #2: The California Condor
Suggested Rank: #1 (Strongest)
Reason: It uses specific numbers (27 to 500) to prove a result. Numbers are very hard to argue against.
Evidence #3: Dr. Jenkins Quote
Suggested Rank: #1 (Strongest)
Reason: It is a quote from an expert (Biologist). Using experts adds "authority" to an argument.
Final Verdict Slides Unit 5: The Final Verdict
Writing with Proof
From Highlights to a Winning Argument
The Copy-Paste Challenge
Writing from Memory
"I think video games are good for logic. They help you think and stuff. Someone said they score higher."
Weak Verdict
Writing from Evidence
"Video games improve logic. According to the Tech Institute, students who play strategy games score 15% higher on tests."
Strong Verdict
The "Move It" Method
1. Find It
Highlight the claim and proof in the text.
2. Map It
Move your highlights into a graphic organizer.
3. Write It
Turn your map into full, powerful sentences.
The Detective's Script
Use these "Evidence Starters" to introduce your proof:
"According to..."
Example: According to the text, the air is cleaner.
"The author states..."
Example: The author states that 50% of people recycle.
"For example..."
Example: For example, zoos help save birds.
"In the text it says..."
Example: In the text it says that condors grew to 500.
Evidence Organizer Worksheet The Evidence Map
Text Evidence Detectives | Lesson 5
Name: __________________________
Date: ___________________________
Final Challenge: Map your evidence and write your verdict!
"Schools should start at 10:00 AM instead of 8:00 AM. A later start time allows students to get more sleep, which improves brain function. In a study by the Sleep Foundation, middle schoolers who started later had 20% higher grades in math and science. Dr. Sleepworth, a doctor, says that 'a rested brain is a learning brain.'"
1. The Map
The Claim (What do they want?)
The Strongest Proof (Numbers or Experts)
2. The Written Verdict
Use your map to write a 2-sentence response. Use the starter: "According to the text..."
Teacher Answer Key & Scoring
Correct Map Data
Claim:
Schools should start at 10:00 AM.
Proof:
Middle schoolers had 20% higher grades OR Dr. Sleepworth's quote.
Sample Verdict
"According to the text, schools should start at 10:00 AM. For example, a study showed that students who started later had 20% higher grades in math."
Success Criteria
Identified the correct claim.
Selected proof with numbers or an expert quote.
Used a quote starter like "According to..."
