Fact and Opinion Games for the Win!

Differentiating between fact and opinion is a valuable reading comprehension strategy for students. Many teachers resort to rote practice using fact and opinion worksheets, but you don’t have to!

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 game,  students will read statements and determine if they are facts or opinions. If their answers are correct, they advance toward the finish line. If they are incorrect, they remain in their starting position. The first student to the finish line is the winner!

How to Use Games in the Classroom

Use this resource as a reading center activity, with your guided reading group, or as a partner game during free time.

Scaffolding and Extension Tips + More Fact and Opinion Lesson Ideas

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. You can also try the following.

🛴Scoot Activity

Place the question cards around the room in numerical order and give each student a recording sheet. Assign each student a number to start. Give students appropriate time to read the card, determine the author’s purpose, and then say, “SCOOT.” At this time, the students will rotate to the next card. Continue this manner until students have made it through the cards. 

🖍️Show Me!

Give each student a mini dry-erase board and a dry-erase marker. Project each card on the 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 one student is standing.

Easily Prepare This Resource for Your Students

Print on cardstock for added durability and longevity. Place all pieces in a folder or large envelope for easy access. 

Keep the game cards out of pockets or under desks: cut out the cards and punch a hole in each corner 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 game board, game instructions, game pieces, question cards, and an answer key are included in the download.

Want more? Check out our Fact Vs. Opinion Strategy Teaching Resource Pack!

This resource was created by Kelli Gofredi, a teacher in Texas and a Teach Starter Collaborator. 

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

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I Have, Who Has? Fact and Opinion Game

A whole class game to help students understand the difference between a fact and an opinion.

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Distinguishing Between Fact and Opinion - Comprehension Task

A task to use when teaching your students reading comprehension strategies.