Differentiating between fact and opinion is a valuable reading comprehension strategy for students to learn. 

Understanding the writer’s intent—whether statements can be backed up with data or stated editorially—is an analytical skill students will use as they read texts with deeper complexities and nuances.  

In this activity, students will read statements and sort them into facts and opinions. 

Fact and Opinion Exercise

Fact or opinion? With these simple sorting activities, your students learn to spot the difference in no time. This activity is available in two different formats:

• Printable Resource – In this version, students will sort a series of 24 statements into fact/opinion categories and record their answers on a recording sheet.
• Interactive Resource – In this version, students will complete the sorting activity inside a Google Slides interactive setting. They will click and drag to sort statement tiles into the correct categories.

Scaffolding and Extension Tips + More Fact and Opinion Exercises

This resource can be used for individualized practice, especially if you’ve got fast finishers! You can also use this game to create full-class learning opportunities like scoot activities, lesson reviews, comprehension assessments, and more. 

After sorting, challenge students who already understand the concept to explain why they sorted the cards into each pile. Then have students create their own lists of facts and opinions.

Support struggling students by using this exercise in pairs or small groups, rather than as an independent activity.

Scoot Activity

Place the playing cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign each student a number to start. Give students an appropriate amount of time to read the card and determine if it is a fact or an opinion, and then say, “SCOOT.” At this time, the students will rotate to the next card. Continue in this manner until students have made it through all of the cards. 

Show Me!

Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project each card on the screen and have your students write “Fact” or “Opinion” (or F and O, to make it simpler) on their board. When everyone has written down their answer, say, “Show Me.” Students will flip their boards, allowing you to see who needs extra support with this skill.

Knock Off

Have your students stand up and make a line across the room. Project a card on the screen and use our Random Name Picker widget to draw a student’s name to answer. If the student correctly identifies whether the statement is Fact or Opinion, they tap the person on their left or right to send them back to their seat. If the student answers the card incorrectly, they must sit out. Play continues until only 1 student is standing.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Make photocopies of the blank recording sheet for students to complete. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

To turn this teaching resource into a sustainable activity, print a few recording sheets on cardstock and slip them into dry-erase sleeves. Students can record their answers with a dry-erase marker, then erase and reuse.

Keep the task cards out of pockets or under desks: cut out the cards and punch a hole in the corner of each to place them on a binder ring. 

Before You Download

Use the drop-down icon on the Download button to choose between the PDF or Google Slides version of this resource. A recording sheet and answer key are also included with this download.

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This resource was created by Emily Pate, a teacher in California and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

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Looking to help your students tackle more of their fact vs. opinion questions? Start here: