Lesson 12: Fact and Opinion with the Narrative Nonfiction Piece "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?"

The Target Skill in this lesson is Fact vs Opinion.

Concept Question: Can this statement be proved to be true or false, or is it someone's belief or feeling?

Lesson 12 Grab-And-Go Resources

Fact and Opinion As you read "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?," look for both facts and opinions.  To determine which is which, ask yourself whether the information can be proved to be true.  If so, it is a fact.  If not, it is an opinion--someone's belief or feeling.  Authors may use reasons and text evidence to support opinions.  Record the facts and opinions from the text in a graphic organizer like the one shown below. 

After reading "Can't You Make Them Behave, King George?," you know a few more facts about the American Revolution.  Facts are statements that can be proved to be true.  This statement "Britain lost the American colonies during the reign of King George III" is a fact.  It can be looked up in a reference source.

The selection also told you about the opinions of some of the people involved in the revolution.  Opinions are statements that express thoughts, feelings, or beliefs.  They often include adjectives or judgement words.  The statement "King George III was the worst ruler in British history" cannot be proved true or false.  Therefore, it is an opinion.  Look for reasons and text evidence that support the author's opinion.  Do you agree with it?

When reading narrative nonfiction, you must distinguish between facts and opinions.  Use a graphic organizer like the one above to record examples of each from the text.

Fact or Opinion for Kids

BrainPOP UK - Fact and Opinion

Narrative Nonfiction

Narrative nonfiction tells about people, places, and events that are real. As you read, look for: events in time order and factual information that tells a story.

Spelling List 9 – Unit 3 Lesson 12

Word	Verb Root	Part of Speech	Definition
rebellious		adj.	Prone to participating in a rebellion.
objected	object	v.	To be opposed; express disapproval.
benefit		n.	Something that is of help; an advantage.
repeal		v.	To withdraw or cancel officially; revoke.
contrary		adj.	Stubbornly opposed to others; willful.
midst		n.	The middle position or part; the center.
temporary		adj.	Lasting, used, serving, or enjoyed for a limited time; not permanent.
advantages		n.	Beneficial factors or features.
previously		adv.	Before something else in time or order.
prohibit		v.	To forbid by law or authority.

Alternative Facts?

Kellyanne Conway is a representative of American President Donald Trump.  Here, she is talking to the TV news station NBC about how another one of President Trump's representatives (Sean Spicer) told news reports that Donald Trumps presidential inauguration (when a new president takes over from the old president) was the biggest inauguration in American history.  When asked why Sean Spicer lied, Kellyanne Conway said that he did not lie, he just gave "alternative facts."  

Look at the photo below.  President Obama's inauguration photo (2009) is on the left.  President Trump's inauguration photo (2017) is on the right.  Is the number of people who went to each a fact or an opinion?

                             Obama (2009)                                                               Trump (2017)