Source Sleuths: Spotting Real Info Script

Warm-Up: Information Overload (5 minutes)

(Slide 1: Source Sleuths: Spotting Real Info)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to become 'Source Sleuths.' Just like a detective looks for clues, we're going to learn how to investigate information, especially when it comes to our health. Our goal is to make sure we're getting reliable, trustworthy information. So, let's get started with a quick warm-up."

(Distribute the Source Sleuths Warm-Up worksheet.)

(Slide 2: Information Overload!)

"On your warm-up sheet, take a few minutes to answer the questions: 'Where do you typically get your health information?' and 'Why do you think it's important to be careful about the health information you find?' Think about all the different places – online, from friends, family, TV, magazines. There are no right or wrong answers here, just your honest thoughts."

(Allow students 3-4 minutes to complete the warm-up.)

"Alright, let's hear some of your thoughts. Who would like to share where they get health information?"

(Call on a few students. Acknowledge the variety of sources.)

"Great. Now, why is it important to be careful? What could happen if we believe something about our health that isn't true?"

(Encourage a brief discussion on the dangers of misinformation – bad advice, unnecessary worry, wasting money, etc.)

Introduction: Why Reliable Sources? (10 minutes)

(Slide 3: The Peril of Misinformation)

"You've hit on some really important points. In today's world, we're bombarded with information, especially online. It's like a huge ocean, and not all the water is safe to drink. This is especially true for health information. Believing the wrong information can have serious consequences for our well-being."

"I've got two examples here. Take a look at these (show your prepared examples – one reliable, one unreliable)."

(Present the two examples you prepared. Do not reveal which is which yet. Ask students to observe.)

"Based on just a quick glance, which one of these would you trust more for health information, and why? What makes one seem more believable than the other?"

(Facilitate a short discussion. Listen for initial ideas like 'official-looking,' 'pretty website,' 'lots of ads,' etc. Validate their observations but don't correct them yet.)

"Those are good observations. We often make quick judgments. But to be true 'Source Sleuths,' we need a systematic way to evaluate information. We need tools!"

Key Characteristics of Reliable Sources (15 minutes)

"Today, we're going to learn five key characteristics that will help us determine if a health source is reliable. These are your 'sleuth tools'."

(Slide 4: Characteristic 1: Authority)

"Our first characteristic is Authority. Think about it: If you needed advice on fixing a broken leg, would you ask a professional doctor or a random person on the street? You'd ask the doctor, right? They have authority in medicine."

"When we look at information, we need to ask: Who created this information? Are they experts? Do they have credentials? Is it a reputable organization? Look for things like .gov or .edu in the website address, academic institutions, medical professionals, or established research bodies. A reputable organization will often have an 'About Us' section telling you who they are."

(Slide 5: Characteristic 2: Objectivity)

"Next up is Objectivity. This is about whether the information is fair and balanced. Is the source trying to persuade you to believe something specific, or are they just presenting facts? Is it trying to sell you a product?

"A reliable source aims to inform, not to sway your opinion or make money off you directly. Look for factual presentation, an acknowledgment of different viewpoints if they exist, and a lack of really strong, emotional language. If it sounds too good to be true, or too scary to be true, it might be biased."

(Slide 6: Characteristic 3: Currency)

"Our third tool is Currency. This simply means: When was this information published or last updated? Think about how quickly science and medicine advance. What was considered true 20 years ago might be outdated today."

"Always look for dates of publication or when the page was last updated. Especially for health information, newer is usually better. An undated article should always raise a red flag."

(Slide 7: Characteristic 4: Accuracy)

"The fourth characteristic is Accuracy. This asks: Can the information be verified? Are there citations or references? Does it align with other reliable sources?"

"A good source will often tell you where they got their information, like citing a research study. If claims are made, they should be backed up. If a website makes a wild claim, and you can't find that claim supported anywhere else by other trustworthy sources, be skeptical."

(Slide 8: Characteristic 5: Purpose)

"Finally, we have Purpose. This asks: Why was this information created? Is it to inform, persuade, sell, or entertain?"

"For health information, we want sources whose primary purpose is to inform and educate. Be very wary of sites that are trying to sell you a miracle cure, or that seem designed purely for entertainment or to make you scared. Their purpose isn't to give you objective health facts."

(Slide 9: Guided Practice: Put on Your Sleuth Hat!)

"Now that we have our five 'sleuth tools' – Authority, Objectivity, Currency, Accuracy, and Purpose – let's try them out. I'm going to show you a few more examples. As we look at each one, discuss with a partner or think to yourselves: Is this source reliable? Which of our five characteristics does it meet, and which does it miss? Why?"

(Present your next set of examples, one by one. Facilitate a brief discussion for each, guiding students to apply the criteria.)

"Great job applying those criteria! It takes practice, but you're already getting better at it."

Worksheet: Become a Source Sleuth! (10 minutes)

(Slide 10: Your Mission: Source Sleuth Worksheet)

"Okay, Source Sleuths, it's time for your mission! I'm going to hand out the Source Sleuths Worksheet. On this sheet, you'll find a few different scenarios and sources. Your task is to evaluate each one using the five characteristics we just discussed."

"You can work individually or with a partner if you prefer. Make sure to explain why you think a source is reliable or unreliable, not just say yes or no. You have 10 minutes for this task. I'll be walking around to answer any questions."

(Distribute the worksheet. Circulate and provide support.)

Cool-Down: One Key Takeaway (5 minutes)

(Slide 11: Be a Smart Health Consumer!)

"Alright, let's bring it back together. You've done a fantastic job today learning how to be critical consumers of health information."

(Distribute the Source Sleuths Cool-Down.)

"For our cool-down today, please take a moment to write down one key thing you learned about identifying reliable sources. What's one tip or characteristic you'll remember when you're looking for health information in the future?"

(Collect the cool-downs as students finish, using them as an exit ticket.)

"Excellent work, everyone! Remember, always question, always verify. Your health depends on making informed decisions. Keep those Source Sleuth hats on! Have a great rest of your day."

Source Sleuths Warm-Up: Information Check-In

Directions: Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability. There are no right or wrong answers, just your thoughts!

1. Where do you usually get information about health and wellness? (Check all that apply, or write in your own!)
   • Friends / Family
     
   • TikTok / Instagram / YouTube
     
   • News articles (online or TV)
     
   • School (teachers, health class)
     
   • Doctors / Nurses
     
   • Websites (like Wikipedia, health blogs, government sites)
     
   • Other:
     
     
     

2. Why do you think it's important to be careful about the health information you find, especially online?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Can you think of a time you heard or saw health information that you later found out was wrong or questionable? What was it, and how did you feel about it?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Source Sleuths Worksheet: Evaluate the Evidence!

Directions: For each scenario below, you'll find a piece of health information. Your job is to act like a Source Sleuth and decide if the information is reliable or unreliable. Use the five characteristics we discussed (Authority, Objectivity, Currency, Accuracy, Purpose) to explain your reasoning.

Scenario 1: The "Miracle Detox" Tea

Your friend shares a link on social media to a blog called "Glow Up & Live Forever." The article promotes a special herbal tea that claims to "instantly flush out toxins, melt fat, and boost your immune system" in just three days. The blog post includes testimonials from people saying they lost 10 pounds in a week. There are no links to scientific studies, and the author is listed only as "Wellness Warrior Alex."

Is this source reliable? (Yes/No)

Explain your reasoning using the 5 characteristics:

• Authority:
  
  
  
  
• Objectivity:
  
  
  
  
• Currency:
  
  
  
  
• Accuracy:
  
  
  
  
• Purpose:
  
  
  
  

Scenario 2: Exercise Guidelines for Teens

You are researching how much exercise teenagers should get. You find an article on a website called "cdc.gov/physicalactivity." The article is titled "Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans, 2nd Edition" and states it was last updated in 2018. It provides recommendations for daily physical activity for different age groups, including teens, and cites numerous scientific studies from major health organizations. The authors are listed as staff researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Is this source reliable? (Yes/No)

Explain your reasoning using the 5 characteristics:

• Authority:
  
  
  
  
• Objectivity:
  
  
  
  
• Currency:
  
  
  
  
• Accuracy:
  
  
  
  
• Purpose:
  
  
  
  

Scenario 3: The Vitamin C Cold Cure

You have a cold and search for remedies online. You find an article on "HealthyLifeTipsDaily.com" published last month. It enthusiastically claims that taking 10,000mg of Vitamin C every day will "completely prevent and cure any cold or flu instantly!" The article quotes a "holistic health guru" and shows a link to buy a specific brand of Vitamin C supplements at a discount. There are no other scientific references.

Is this source reliable? (Yes/No)

Explain your reasoning using the 5 characteristics:

• Authority:
  
  
  
  
• Objectivity:
  
  
  
  
• Currency:
  
  
  
  
• Accuracy:
  
  
  
  
• Purpose:
  
  
  
  

Source Sleuths Worksheet Answer Key

Scenario 1: The "Miracle Detox" Tea

Is this source reliable? No

Explanation:

• Authority: Unreliable. "Wellness Warrior Alex" is not a recognized expert or organization. The blog name itself sounds informal and lacks credibility.
• Objectivity: Unreliable. The claims are highly sensationalized ("instantly flush out toxins, melt fat"), suggesting a strong bias to persuade or promote, rather than inform. Testimonials are not scientific evidence.
• Currency: Questionable. While it might be recent, the lack of other reliable characteristics makes its currency irrelevant.
• Accuracy: Unreliable. Claims are extreme and lack any scientific backing or citations. Such drastic results in three days are highly unlikely and unproven.
• Purpose: Unreliable. The purpose seems to be to persuade readers with exaggerated claims, possibly to gain followers or sell products indirectly.

Scenario 2: Exercise Guidelines for Teens

Is this source reliable? Yes

Explanation:

• Authority: Reliable. The source is cdc.gov, which is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a major governmental public health agency. The authors are listed as staff researchers, indicating expertise.
• Objectivity: Reliable. The article provides factual recommendations based on guidelines and cites scientific studies, indicating a focus on informing rather than persuading or selling.
• Currency: Reliable. Last updated in 2018 is generally current for broad physical activity guidelines, and the edition number suggests a formal review process.
• Accuracy: Reliable. The guidelines are backed by numerous scientific studies from major health organizations, making the information verifiable and accurate.
• Purpose: Reliable. The purpose of the CDC website is public health and education, aiming to inform the public with evidence-based health information.

Scenario 3: The Vitamin C Cold Cure

Is this source reliable? No

Explanation:

• Authority: Unreliable. A "holistic health guru" is not a universally recognized medical expert. The website name "HealthyLifeTipsDaily.com" sounds generic and lacks institutional credibility.
• Objectivity: Unreliable. The claim is enthusiastic and absolute ("completely prevent and cure any cold or flu instantly!"), which is a red flag for bias. The link to buy a specific brand of Vitamin C suggests a commercial purpose.
• Currency: Questionable. While published last month, the content lacks accuracy and authority, making its recent publication date insufficient to establish reliability.
• Accuracy: Unreliable. The claim of instantly curing colds with high doses of Vitamin C is a common myth and not supported by mainstream scientific evidence. There are no scientific references provided.
• Purpose: Unreliable. The primary purpose seems to be to promote a product and persuade readers through sensational claims, rather than to provide objective health information.

Source Sleuths Cool-Down: My Key Takeaway

Directions: Take a moment to reflect on today's lesson about identifying reliable sources.

1. What is one key thing you learned today about how to tell if a health source is reliable or unreliable?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. How will you use what you learned today the next time you look for health information online or hear it from a friend?