Grade 4 Unit 3 Week 2

Skill/Strategy: Fact or Opinion

Review: A statement of fact can be correct or incorrect. You can check by doing research. A statement of opinion should be supported. A valid opinion is supported by facts or good logic. A faulty opinion is not. Some sentences contain both facts and opinions. Reading Street, Grade 4, Unit 3, p. 292

Part A: Reread (or preview) p. 293 Reading Street with students. Complete attached sheet.

What is the largest animal that ever lived? Is it an elephant? Not even close. This animal can be as big as four elephants. Is it a dinosaur? Guess again.

The largest animal in the world is the blue whale. This beautiful animal can grow as big as 100 feet long. You might think that an animal so enormous could survive anything. Not so.

In the 1800s and early 1900s, whaling was big business. People killed whales to make such things as oil and candles. Whales were hunted almost to extinction. In time, other ways of lighting houses and workplaces were developed. People realized the harm the whaling business was doing to the whales. Now, most countries ban whaling, but even so, many species are still endangered.

Whales face other challenges too. They can get tangled in fishing nets and drown. (Remember, whales are mammals; they need to breathe air.) Also, they can get sick from pollution in the ocean. Sometimes, they collide with ships. Governments can make more laws to protect the whales and their habitats. For example, some shipping lanes were changed to make ships go around an area where mother whales bring their babies.

People should tell their governments that saving the whales is important. We can make a difference!

Part B: Reread (or preview) p. 295 Reading Street with students. Identify facts and opinions from text, listing them on a two-column chart. Decide if each opinion is faulty or valid.

Welcome to Paradise Island! Click on the following to find out more about what you can do on our island.

  • Walk or run on the gorgeous white sand beaches that ring the whole island. They were voted the Best Beaches in the World last year by Touring Magazine!
  • Swim in the beautiful blue-green waters of our lagoon. Protected from the ocean by a reef, the lagoon is also perfect for canoeing and kayaking.
  • Take a walk with our staff biologist. You can learn about the many strange and colorful birds and other animals that call Paradise Island home.
  • Climb the bluff for wonderful views of the island and the ocean. We offer climbs for beginners and experts.
  • Take a day trip to the volcano. You can ride or hike to the top to look down into its massive crater. It has always been quiet (except for a rumbling noise every once in a while).

Paradise Island is a tropical paradise. Come see it for yourself and have the best vacation of your life!

Reading Street, Grade 4, Unit 3, p. 295

Part C: Ask students to read the attached Fact/Opinion cards and sort the cards. Discuss the research needed for each fact and the type of opinion represented.
Name ______Date ______

Fact or Opinion – Part A

Facts can be proven. They can be correct or incorrect.

Directions: Find each fact in the story and then check (√) correct or incorrect.

FACT / Correct / Incorrect
  1. The blue whale can be as big as 100 feet long.

  1. The blue whale is so big, it can survive anything.

  1. Whales were hunted to make oil and candles.

  1. Whales are now extinct.

  1. Whales can get sick from polluted water.

Directions: Identify the clue words for each opinion, and decide whether the opinion is valid or faulty.

Statement / What words tell you this is an opinion? / Is this opinion valid or faulty?
Talk about your reasons.
  1. Whales are more beautiful than elephants!

  1. Governments should make laws to stop whale hunters.

  1. Ships are the biggest threat to whales.

  1. People should tell their governments that saving whales is important.

Directions: Complete the Cause/Effect Chart based on the story on page 293.

Cause: / Effect: Whales face many challenges.
Cause:
Cause:

Part C – Fact and Opinion Cards

Water freezes at 32 degrees Fahrenheit. / There are 12 inches in a foot.
The President lives in
Washington, D.C. / Elephants are bigger than dogs.
George Washington was our first President. / Ketchup is made from tomatoes.
The sun is a star. / Zebras have stripes.
There are 12 months in a year. / Bread is made from flour.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. / Spiders have eight legs.
Apples, peaches, and oranges are types of fruit. / We live in the United States.
Dogs bark. / The earth
revolves around the sun.
All children like to ride skate boards. / Cats are the best pets.
Chocolate ice cream is better than vanilla ice cream. / Everyone
should eat pizza
every day.
Spiders are scarier than snakes. / It feels good to walk barefoot.
Riding a bike is more fun than swimming. / Green is the prettiest color.
Hamburgers are better
than hotdogs. / July is the best month of the year.
Math is easier than reading. / Being an
airplane pilot
is the hardest job.
Cell phones are the greatest invention. / Football should be played
all year.
Camping is not fun. / Trucks are big and noisy.