This facts and opinions game goes well with persuasive or non-fiction writing pieces.
Animal Locations
We also play it at animal locations such as the Carolina Tiger Rescue shown in the above picture. This game helps students solidify their understanding of a fact and an opinion.
They learn to state and write facts and opinions about the animals that they’re learning about.
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Common Core State Standards
NOTE: This game can address the following Common Core State Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.K.1, W.K.2, W.1.1, W.1.2, W.2.1, W.2.2, W.3.1, W.3.2, W.4.1, W.4.2, W.5.1, W.5.2L.K.1, L.K.1.E, L.K.1.F, L.K.2, L.K.2.A, L.K.2.B, L.1.1, L.1.1.D, L.1.1.G, L.1.1.H, L.1.1.I, L.1.1.J, L.1.2, L.1.2.B, L.1.2.D, L.2.1, L.2.1.B, L.2.1.D, L.2.1.F, L.2.2, L.2.2.C, L.3.1, L.3.1.I, L.3.2, L.3.2.F, L.4.1, L.4.1.E, L.4.1.F, L.4.1.G, L.4.2, L.4.2.A, L.5.1, L.5.2, RF.K.1.C, RF.1.1.A
Two Magnetic Spinners
The game requires two magnetic spinners* so it makes buying your spinners worth it!
(If you haven’t read my full post on the winner spinner you won’t want to miss it! It gives you a long list of game ideas that are so easy to run and super fun for the kids. Check out the full post here.)
Setting Up the Game:
- First, Draw two circles on the white board, chalk board (or smart board).
- Second, divide the left circle into two sections and write the words Fact and Opinion. Divide the right circle into 8 sections and write the numbers 4-11.
Younger Writers
If you’re only working with younger children, I suggest dividing the right circle into 4 sections and writing the numbers 3-6.
The numbers represent the number of words the students must use in their fact or opinion sentence.
NOW TO PLAY!
For smaller groups (up to 8) I divide the board into 4 sections. A pair is assigned to each section.
For larger groups, or if you don’t have a large whiteboard, divide the group into pairs. Give each pair a small white board, dry erase marker and a sock to serve as an eraser. You can purchase a class pack on Amazon*.
One pair of campers spin. Then, one partner in each pair takes a turn writing a fact or opinion sentence that uses the number of words that is spun.
The fact or opinion sentence can be normal or super silly!
Earning Points
In order to earn a point, the facts and opinions have to have a capital letter, spacing, correct spelling and a period at the end.
Once students complete their sentence, they don’t say anything. They just hold up their white board.
I look at it.
If there is one mistake, I hold up 1 finger, 2 mistakes, 2 fingers, 3 mistakes, 3 fingers, 4 mistakes, 4 fingers. If there are no mistakes, students get a thumbs up and tally a point.
Students who have a mistake continue to correct the sentence until they get a thumbs up.
Campers who get a thumbs up right away can keep writing new sentences, earning more points, until each camper has finished their one sentence.
Once each pair has correctly written the sentence, then we move onto the next turn. We continue play until each pair has had a chance to spin or the time allotted runs out!
Print the Instructions
Here are the instructions for you to print out and use.
Writing Prompts
This game goes well with the following writing prompts:
Chopsticks Vs. Forks and Knives
I’d Love to Be Your Pet!–Basic Horse Care–Non-Fiction
