Fact Finder Slides Fact Finder Basics
Evaluating Source Credibility & Bias
"Is it true, or is it just what someone thinks?"
Headline Showdown
Which one belongs in a history book?
Headline A
"The school assembly was held in the gym at 2:00 PM on Friday."
Headline B
"The school assembly was the most boring event of the entire year."
What is a FACT?
Verifiable
You can check it using evidence or data.
Objective
It stays the same no matter who says it.
Examples
Water freezes at 0°C.
The Earth orbits the Sun.
Mexico City is the capital of Mexico.
What is an OPINION?
Subjective
It shows feelings, beliefs, or judgments.
Variable
Different people can have different views.
Examples
Winter is the best season.
Math is harder than science.
Soccer is a fun sport to watch.
The Detective's Tools
Look for these Signal Words to find opinions!
Feelings
Believe, Feel, Think, Prefer
Adjectives
Best, Worst, Beautiful, Terrible
Predictions
Should, Might, Always, Never
"I believe that cats are the most intelligent pets."
Quick Challenge: Fact or Opinion?
1. Many people visit the Grand Canyon every year.
?
2. The Grand Canyon is the most beautiful place in the US.
?
3. National Parks should be free for all students.
?
Ready to start your Evidence Log?
Evidence Log Worksheet Evidence Log
Fact Finder Basics: Mission 01
Name:
Date:
Part 1: Signal Word Hunt
Read each sentence. Underline the signal words (adjectives, feelings, or judgments) that show the sentence is an opinion .
1. The chocolate cake was absolutely delicious and better than the vanilla one.
2. I believe that traveling by train is the most exciting way to see the country.
3. The movie was too long, and the ending was quite confusing for me.
4. Students should spend at least two hours outside every single day.
Part 2: Fact or Opinion?
Read the statements below. Write "FACT" or "OPINION" in the box and explain why .
Statement Type Why? The capital city of France is Paris.
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| Paris is the most romantic city in the world. |
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| Sharks are very scary animals. |
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| Great White Sharks can grow up to 20 feet long. |
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Part 3: The Investigator's Report
Choose a topic you like. Write one fact and one opinion about it.
My Topic:
Fact (Verifiable evidence):
Opinion (Feelings/Judgments):
Pro-tip: Use signal words like "think," "best," or "should" in your opinion!
Fact Finder Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Fact Finder Basics
Lesson 1: Information Literacy Sequence
Time: 45-60 Minutes
Target Grade: 6th Grade (ESL)
Lesson Objective
Students will be able to distinguish between verifiable facts and subjective opinions by identifying signal words and analyzing the objectivity of statements in English academic texts.
Materials Needed
Fact Finder Slides (Presentation)Evidence Log Worksheet (One per student)Two physical "Fact" and "Opinion" signs for classroom movement activity.
ESL Support Strategies
Cognates: Highlight words like "objective/objetivo" and "subjective/subjetivo".Visual Aids: Use the slide examples to anchor abstract concepts to concrete facts.Sentence Starters: Provide "I know this is a fact because..." or "This is an opinion because..."
Instructional Flow
1
Hook: Headline Showdown (10 min)
Show Slide 2. Ask students to vote on which headline they would find in a textbook. Discuss why Headline B feels different (feelings vs. timing/location).
2
Direct Instruction (15 min)
Use Slides 3-5 to define concepts. Focus heavily on Signal Words . These are the "tells" that reveal an author's bias or perspective.
Teacher Prompt: "If I say the pizza is hot, is that a fact? (Yes, we can measure temperature). If I say the pizza is delicious, is that a fact? (No, someone else might hate it!)"
3
Kinesthetic Practice (10 min)
Place "FACT" and "OPINION" signs on opposite walls. Read statements aloud. Students must walk to the side they believe is correct and justify their choice using signal words.
4
Evidence Log Worksheet (15-20 min)
Students complete the worksheet independently. Circulate to support ESL students with the "Why?" column, encouraging them to use the signal words as evidence.
Worksheet Answer Key (Part 2)
Paris capital...
FACT
Verifiable on a map.
Paris most romantic...
OPINION
Signal word: "most romantic" (feeling).
Sharks are scary...
OPINION
Signal word: "scary" (judgment).
Great White 20 feet...
FACT
Domain Detectives Slides Domain Detectives
Tracing Source Authority
"Who is talking and why?"
Mission Briefing
TOP SECRET
A website claims that the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus is an endangered species living in forests.
"They are elusive creatures that spend their time in the canopy of trees, rarely coming down to the ground."
Is this website telling the truth?
Reality Check
How do we find out who made this site?
Anatomy of a URL
https://www.nasa.gov/climate
.gov
Government agency. Usually very reliable.
.edu
College or University. Academic research.
.org
Organization (can be biased or non-profit).
.com
Commercial (selling things or for-profit).
Who is the Author?
Search for "About Us"
Usually at the very top or very bottom.
Check Credentials
Is the author an expert? A doctor? A student?
"If you can't find who wrote it, should you trust it?"
What is their goal?
Inform
Giving facts and data to help you learn.
Persuade
Trying to change your mind or opinion.
Sell
Trying to get you to buy a product or service.
Website Stakeout Worksheet Website Stakeout
Investigation Log #02
Detective:
Unit ID:
TRUTH-SEEKER-6
Mission Parameters
Your team must investigate the following digital sources. For each source, identify the URL Extension , the Organization/Author , and their Primary Goal (Inform, Persuade, or Sell).
Digital Source (URL) Extension Who is the Author? Main Goal zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/
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| climate.nasa.gov |
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| kids.nationalgeographic.com |
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| petsmart.com/dog/food/ |
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Final Analysis: The Tree Octopus Case
1. After looking at the "About" page for zapatopi.net, who is Lyle Zapato?
2. Is the Pacific Northwest Tree Octopus a real animal? How do you know?
3. Why would someone create a fake website like this? (What is their real goal?)
Verified by Truth Seekers Bureau © 2026
Domain Detectives Teacher Resource Teacher Resource
Domain Detectives
Lesson 2: Tracing Authority & Intent
Time: 50 Minutes
Target Grade: 6th Grade (ESL)
Key Concepts
URL Extensions: Basic indicators of source type.Authorship: Identifying who created the content.Author Intent: Differentiating between inform, persuade, and sell.
Important: The Tree Octopus Hoax
The website zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/ is a famous educational hoax. It is professionally designed but entirely fake. It is the perfect tool to show students that "looking professional" does not mean "being true."
Stakeout Answer Key
Source Extension Author/Org Primary Goal zapatopi.net .net Lyle Zapato (Personal) Persuade/Hoax climate.nasa.gov .gov NASA (Gov. Agency) Inform kids.natgeo.com .com National Geographic Inform/Sell petsmart.com .com PetSmart (Company) Sell
Discussion Questions
Q1: Can a .com website be a good source for a school paper?
A: Yes, but we must be careful. National Geographic is a .com but is highly reputable. However, they also sell magazines and products, so their goal is mixed.
Q2: Why is .gov considered the most reliable for facts?
A: Government agencies have strict rules about the data they publish and are accountable to the public.
Q3: How did Lyle Zapato trick people with the Tree Octopus?
A: He used professional fonts, included "scientific" sounding names, added fake photos, and included "links" to other organizations that looked real.
ESL Scaffolding Tip
For students struggling with the word "Authority," compare it to a principal or a doctor—someone with the "right" to speak on a topic because they have studied it.
Time Capsule Slides Time Capsule Currency
Freshness Matters in Research
"Is this info past its expiration date?"
Historical Advice
Medical Ad from 1900
"Smoking cigarettes is good for your lungs and helps with asthma!"
Danger!
Why don't we follow this advice today?
We have new technology to test ideas.
We have more data from long-term studies.
Science is always changing and improving.
What is Currency?
The Publication Date
When was the information published or last updated ?
Working Links
Do the links on the website still work? If they are broken, the site might be abandoned .
The 5-Year Rule
For Science and Technology topics, try to find sources from the last 5 years.
The Impact of Old Info
Technology
A 2010 guide to "The Best Phones" is useless today.
Science
Climate data changes every year. We need the latest numbers.
Current Events
News from last month might be different from news today.
"Old info isn't always WRONG, but it might be INCOMPLETE."
When is "Old" okay?
History
Primary sources (diaries, letters from long ago) are excellent for history research!
Medical
A medical study from 1950 is likely outdated . We need 2024 studies!
Key Question: Does the topic change quickly over time?
Expiration Date Sort Worksheet Expiration Date Sort
Currency Lab #03
Researcher:
Date:
JAN 2026
The Currency Rule
Not all information lasts forever. Look at the Topic and the Publication Date for each source. Decide if the source is FRESH (reliable today) or EXPIRED (likely outdated).
Fresh & Reliable
Write the Source # and Topic here if it is still useful for academic research today.
Expired / Outdated
Write the Source # and Topic here if the information is too old to be trusted for this topic.
Evidence for Analysis
SOURCE #1
TOPIC: The best apps for coding on a tablet.
Date: June 2012
SOURCE #2
TOPIC: Life of Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
Date: Written in 1863
SOURCE #3
TOPIC: Map showing the borders of countries in Africa.
Date: January 1950
SOURCE #4
TOPIC: Current global temperatures and climate change.
Date: September 2024
SOURCE #5
TOPIC: Medical advice on treating a broken arm.
Date: March 1985
SOURCE #6
TOPIC: Daily population count of Tokyo, Japan.
Date: Updated Yesterday
The Verdict
Explain why Source #2 is still "Fresh" even though it is from 1863.
Time Capsule Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Time Capsule Currency
Lesson 3: The Importance of Up-to-Date Information
Time: 45 Minutes
Target Grade: 6th Grade (ESL)
Lesson Objective
Students will evaluate the credibility of a source based on its currency (how recent it is) and determine if the information is still relevant to the specific topic of study.
Key Vocabulary for ESL
Currency: The timeliness of the info.
Relevant: How it fits your topic.
Outdated: Information that is too old.
Primary Source: Original from the time.
Lesson Hook
Start with the 1900s medical ad. Ask: "If you found this advice on a website today, would you follow it? Why not?"
Teacher Script
"Information is like milk—it can go bad. For some topics like history, it stays fresh longer. For science, it expires very fast!"
Expiration Sort Answer Key
Fresh & Reliable
#2: Abraham Lincoln (1863) Why: Primary source for history.
#4: Climate Data (2024) Why: Very recent data for science.
#6: Tokyo Population (Yesterday) Why: Current events need recent updates.
Expired / Outdated
#1: Tablet Apps (2012) Why: Tech changes every year.
#3: Africa Map (1950) Why: Country borders have changed significantly.
#5: Medical Advice (1985) Why: Medicine evolves with new research.
Critical Thinking Prompts
1. The Exception: "When would an old map (#3) actually be a good source?" (Answer: If you are researching history or how borders have changed over time).
2. The Search: "If you find a website with no date at all, should you trust it for a science paper?" (Answer: No, because you have no way to verify its currency).
Lens Lab Slides Lens Lab Bias
Perspective & Word Choice
"Through which lens are you looking?"
One Game, Two Stories
The City Times (Winners)
"Our heroes crushed the competition in a glorious victory that showed true spirit!"
The Daily News (Losers)
"A series of unfair calls led to a disappointing loss against an aggressive opponent."
Spot the Bias:
Heroes Crushed Unfair Aggressive
What is Bias?
Definition
A strong leaning for or against a person, group, or idea.
Loaded Words
Words with strong emotional meanings (Ex: Brilliant vs. Evil ).
Neutral vs. Biased
Neutral Biased
The dog barked. The beast roared.
She changed her mind. She quit.
The weather is 30°C. It is boiling hot!
The Invisible Bias
Sometimes bias is not what is said , but what is left out .
Story A
"The new park will cost $1 million."
(Makes the park sound expensive and bad.)
Story B
"The new park will provide jobs and a safe place for 500 kids to play."
(Makes the park sound valuable and good.)
"Academic English tries to tell BOTH sides of the story."
Mission: Neutralize!
Your job is to strip away the "loaded words" and write sentences that stick to the objective facts .
Example
"The lazy student didn't finish the test."
"The student did not complete the assessment."
Neutralizer Worksheet The Neutralizer
Lens Lab: Mission 04
Agent Name:
Date:
Part 1: Identifying Loaded Words
Read the sentences below. Circle the words that show bias or strong emotion.
1. The cowardly witness refused to speak to the police.
2. The city council made a ridiculous decision about the new tax.
3. This cheap and flimsy toy will break in two seconds.
4. The principal's brilliant plan saved the school festival.
Part 2: Neutralize the Language
Rewrite each biased sentence in Neutral Academic English . Stick to the facts!
Biased
"The angry workers shouted at the manager during the meeting."
Neutral Rewrite:
Biased
"The politician's stupid idea will cause terrible problems for families."
Neutral Rewrite:
Biased
"Only an idiot would believe that spicy food is healthy."
Neutral Rewrite:
Perspective Shift
Read this sentence: "The school's strict rules stop students from having fun."
Who would say this?
How would a Principal say it?
Bias Buster Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lens Lab Bias
Lesson 4: Detecting Loaded Language & Perspective
Time: 50 Minutes
Target Grade: 6th Grade (ESL)
Objective
Students will identify bias through word choice (loaded words) and omitted information. They will practice translating biased sentences into a neutral academic tone.
Neutralizing Examples
Biased Sentence Neutral Academic Equivalent "The greedy CEO stole money." "The CEO redirected company funds." "It was a complete disaster." "The project did not meet its goals." "Everyone hates the new law." "There is public opposition to the legislation."
Discussion Tip
Ask students: "If you read a science article that uses words like 'Amazing!' or 'Scary!', should you trust it as a professional source?"
ESL Scaffolding
Focus on identifying adjectives . Adjectives are often where the bias lives. Replace judgmental adjectives with measurable ones.
Neutralizer Answer Key (Part 1 & 2)
Part 1 Circle List:
1. cowardly
2. ridiculous
3. cheap, flimsy
4. brilliant
Part 3 Perspective Shift:
Student: The rules are too strict and stop us from having fun.
Principal: The school policies ensure a safe and orderly learning environment.
Part 2 Possible Rewrites:
A: "The workers expressed their disagreement loudly with the manager." or "The employees protested during the meeting."
B: "The politician's proposal may present challenges for local families."
C: "Recent studies discuss the health benefits and risks of spicy foods."
Neutrality Rubric (Part 2)
3 - Proficient
Removed all loaded words. Meaning is preserved. Tone is purely objective.
2 - Emerging
Removed some loaded words, but some bias or emotion remains in the sentence.
1 - Beginning
The sentence is still highly biased or the meaning has been lost during the rewrite.
The Final Verdict Slides The Final Verdict
Culminating Source Evaluation
"Is the evidence strong enough for the courtroom?"
The Researcher's Toolkit
Facts
Is it verifiable and objective?
Authority
Who is the author? Are they an expert?
Currency
Is the date fresh for this topic?
Bias
Are there loaded words or hidden goals?
The Evaluation Framework
C
Currency
The timeliness of the information.
R
Relevance
How it fits your specific research needs.
A
Authority
The source of the information (Author/Org).
P
Purpose
The reason the information exists (to inform, sell, or persuade).
Today's Mission
The Research Topic
You are writing a paper about:
The Impact of Video Games on the Brain
Which sources will you trust to tell the TRUTH?
Editor-in-Chief Challenge
You are a strict editor for the Academic Daily . Your writers sent you 3 sources. You can only use the ones that pass the test.
Step 1
Analyze Source 1, 2, and 3.
Step 2
Apply the Currency, Authority, and Purpose tests.
Step 3
Choose your final verdict: KEEP or DISCARD.
Source Trial Worksheet The Source Trial
The Final Verdict: Mission 05
Lead Investigator:
Case Profile
Research Topic: How video games affect the human brain.Goal: Find the most accurate and professional information for your academic paper.
Source A
"Gaming is the Ultimate Medicine"
URL: game-master-pro.com/blog | Date: 2018
Written by: "The Glitch King"
Authority (Author expert?):
Purpose (Inform, Sell, or Persuade?):
Evidence of Bias (Loaded words?):
FINAL VERDICT:
KEEP
DISCARD
Source B
"Cognitive Development and Interactive Media"
URL: journals.harvard.edu/science | Date: 2024
Written by: Dr. Elena Vance
Authority (Author expert?):
Currency (Is it fresh?):
Evidence of Professionalism (Neutral tone?):
FINAL VERDICT:
KEEP
DISCARD
Justify Your Choice
Explain why Source B is more reliable for a school paper than Source A . Use words like authority , currency , and bias .
Editor in Chief Guide Assessment Assessment Guide
The Final Verdict
Lesson 5: Culminating Source Evaluation
Time: 60 Minutes
Target Grade: 6th Grade (ESL)
Assessment Objective
Students will demonstrate mastery of the sequence by applying a simplified CRAAP framework to evaluate the credibility of multiple sources and justifying their selection for an academic research project.
Simulation Set-up
Set the stage as a high-stakes newspaper editorial room. You are the Publisher, and the students are your Editors-in-Chief.
Step 1: Review the CRAAP criteria using the slides.Step 2: Distribute the Source Trial Worksheet.Step 3: Students work in pairs to "cross-examine" the sources.Step 4: Final defense writing (individual assessment).
Mastery Check
A student has mastered the content if they can:
Identify that "Glitch King" lacks academic authority.
Spot loaded words like "Ultimate Medicine" or "Glorious".
Value the 2024 date and .edu domain for Source B.
Write a justification using at least two key terms (Authority, Currency, Bias).
Scoring Rubric
Criteria Meeting Expectations (3) Developing (2) Application of CRAAP Correctly identifies extension, author type, and date for both sources. Identifies some elements but misses extension or date significance. Bias Detection Notes specific loaded words in Source A and neutral tone in Source B. Recognizes Source A is "opinionated" but doesn't list specific words. Justification Clearly explains why B is better using academic vocabulary (Authority/Currency). States a preference for B but focuses on personal opinion (e.g., "it sounds better").
Post-Simulation Debrief
"Research is a superpower. When you can tell the difference between a fact and a fake, you can't be tricked."
Reflection Q1
Which of the 4 tests (C, R, A, P) was the easiest to find on a website?
Reflection Q2
How will this change the way you search for info on YouTube or TikTok?
ESL Extension
Support students with the "Justification" section by providing sentence stems: "Source B is superior because its
