Overview for Teachers

This lesson introduces students to the vast array of information available online, focusing on differentiating between facts, opinions, and stories, and emphasises the importance of critical thinking when navigating the internet.

Slide 1

Welcome students to the lesson and briefly explain that the internet is like a huge library filled with endless information.

Slide 2

Share the lesson objectives of what students will be learning today.

Slide 3

Encourage students to voice out the different things they like to learn or read on the internet.

Slide 4

Introduce the concept of online information and its various forms, emphasising that it can be educational, entertaining, or even misleading.

Slide 5

Set the scene by highlighting the internet's vastness, likening it to a huge digital library filled with knowledge and stories.

Slide 6

Describe how the internet is similar to a library in that it is very useful when we want to learn new things, find out answers, and have fun (read stories, watch videos). 

Slide 7

Discuss the wide range of content found online, from stories to facts, and how not everything we read or see can be believed.

Slide 8

Highlight that not all information online is accurate or true.

• Facts are things that are true and can be proven. For example, 'the sky is blue' or 'cats have four legs.'"

• Opinions are what someone thinks or feels, like 'chocolate ice cream is the best.'

• Stories are made-up tales or events, like fairy tales or cartoons.

Slide 9

Encourage students to ask adults or teachers if they're unsure about the truthfulness of online information.

Slide 10

Engage in an interactive sorting activity where students classify given examples into facts, opinions, or stories.

Slide 11

There are five questions in this activity. Students should raise their hands to vote for the correct answer.

Slide 12-13

“Slime is the best toy ever!” is an opinion.

Slide 14-15

“The moon only comes out at night” is a fact.

Slide 16-17

“Harry is a rabbit who became friends with a bird named Soren in the woods” is a story.

Slide 18-19

“Apples and bananas grow on trees” is a fact.

Slide 20-21

"Sunday is the best day of the week” is an opinion. 

Slide 22

Recap what was learned and reflect on the importance of critically evaluating online information.

Slide 23

Close with a reminder that while the internet is a valuable resource for learning, it's crucial to think critically about what we see and read online.

Slide 24

Congratulate the students for their thoughtful participation and remind them that they shouldn’t believe everything they see online.