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Lesson Plan

Fact or Opinion Detective

In this 15-minute CBT session, the student will identify and distinguish facts from opinions in real-life statements to challenge rigid, black-and-white thinking and practice flexible reframing.

Rigid thinking can reinforce unhelpful beliefs. By learning to separate facts from opinions, the student builds critical evaluation skills and reduces polarized thoughts.

Audience

7th Grade Student

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Interactive CBT with scenario sorting

Materials

Fact-Opinion Sorting Cards, Fact vs Opinion Practice Worksheet, CBT Rigid Thinking Guide, Whiteboard and Markers, and Timer (Optional)

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Rapport

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and briefly explain that today’s goal is to practice telling facts and opinions apart.
  • Emphasize that this skill will help them question rigid beliefs and think more flexibly.
  • Invite any initial questions.

Step 2

Define and Model

4 minutes

  • Write definitions on the whiteboard:
    • Fact: Objective statement that can be proven true or false.
    • Opinion: Subjective statement based on feelings or beliefs.
  • Show 2–3 example statements and model sorting them as fact or opinion using the Sorting Cards.
  • Think aloud: “I know this is a fact because…” or “This is an opinion because…”.

Step 3

Guided Practice

6 minutes

  • Hand the student a set of Sorting Cards.
  • Instruct them to sort each card into Fact or Opinion piles.
  • After sorting, discuss each choice:
    • Ask “How could you check if that’s true?” for facts.
    • Ask “Whose belief is this? Could others feel differently?” for opinions.
  • Encourage the student to rephrase one opinion as a more balanced thought.

Step 4

Reflection & Wrap-Up

3 minutes

  • Give the student the Practice Worksheet for 1–2 additional scenarios.
  • Ask the student to circle fact/opinion and write one question they could ask to test or challenge the statement.
  • Summarize: reinforce that facts are verifiable and opinions reflect personal beliefs.
  • Praise their effort and note how they can use this skill when they notice rigid thoughts.
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Slide Deck

Fact or Opinion Detective

• Welcome!
• Today’s goal: Learn to tell facts apart from opinions.
• Why it matters: Reduces black-and-white thinking and helps you evaluate beliefs.

Welcome the student and set a positive tone. Briefly explain today’s goal: to become a detective who spots facts versus opinions. Mention that this skill will help them think more flexibly and question rigid thoughts.

Session Overview

  1. Define Fact vs. Opinion
  2. See Examples & Model Sorting
  3. Guided Practice with Sorting Cards
  4. Reflection & Wrap-Up

Explain the session outline so the student knows what to expect. Keep it brief.

What Is a Fact?

• Objective statement that can be proven true or false.
• Checkable with evidence (e.g., data, records, observation).

On the whiteboard, write each definition. Read aloud and ask the student to paraphrase.

What Is an Opinion?

• Subjective statement based on feelings, beliefs, or judgments.
• Not universally provable; others may disagree.

Review the opinion definition. Emphasize subjectivity and personal beliefs.

Example Sorting

Example 1: “It is raining outside.” → Fact
Example 2: “Soccer is the best sport.” → Opinion
Example 3: “My phone battery lasts all day.” → Fact if verifiable

Model sorting with 2–3 examples. Think aloud your reasoning. Use the Fact-Opinion Sorting Cards.

Guided Practice

• Grab the Sorting Cards.
• Sort each into Fact or Opinion piles.
• For each card:
– Facts: “How could you check this?”
– Opinions: “Could someone think differently?”

Guide the student through hands-on practice. Let them sort the cards and discuss.

Reflection & Wrap-Up

• Complete 1–2 scenarios on the Practice Worksheet.
• Circle Fact or Opinion and write a testing question.
• Key takeaway: Facts = verifiable; Opinions = personal beliefs.
• Great job! You’re a Fact or Opinion Detective.

Provide the worksheet and prompt reflection. Ask them to write one question per statement.

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Activity

Fact-Opinion Sorting Cards

Below are 10 cards with statements. Sort each into a Fact pile or an Opinion pile.

  1. Water freezes at 0°C.


  2. My cat is the friendliest pet.


  3. There are 24 hours in a day.


  4. The best season is summer.


  5. Mount Everest is the highest mountain on Earth.


  6. Video games are a waste of time.


  7. Humans need oxygen to breathe.


  8. Math is the most interesting subject.


  9. The Pacific Ocean is the largest ocean.


  10. Reading books is boring.

(After sorting, check your answers against the guide.)

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Worksheet

Fact vs Opinion Practice Worksheet

Instructions: For each statement below:

  1. Circle whether it is a Fact or an Opinion.
  2. Write one question you could ask to test the fact or to challenge the opinion.
  1. “Eating breakfast every morning improves your concentration at school.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






  1. “There are more stars in the universe than grains of sand on Earth.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






  1. “Video games help you learn problem-solving skills.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






  1. “The longest river in the world is the Amazon River.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






  1. “Summer is the most fun season of the year.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






  1. “Plants convert sunlight into energy through photosynthesis.”

Circle one: Fact Opinion

Question:






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