Teacher guide · Creative Lab · Harder · about 40 min

📚 Newsroom Fact Finder

Pupils practise confidence and creativity through "Newsroom Fact Finder": Separate facts, opinions and trustworthy evidence.

Lesson guide

1. Hook · 5 min
Show the 📚 mission title and read the opening: "Which statement is an opinion?". Take three quick guesses.
2. Model · 5 min
Think aloud through the first step together. Use Pixel the Fox's line as your prompt: "Nice! That's an idea nobody else had."
3. Do · 15 min
Pairs work through the 5 steps on screen or on the printed sheet. Circulate and ask "why?"
4. Discuss · 10 min
Use two or three of the discussion questions. Ask pairs to share different answers, not just correct ones.
5. Reflect · 5 min
Exit ticket: one sentence on how they used confidence today.

What was the hardest choice in "Newsroom Fact Finder", and why?
Which statement is an opinion — explain your reasoning to a partner.
A headline says “Everyone agrees!” What should you ask — explain your reasoning to a partner.
What makes a report more balanced — explain your reasoning to a partner.
Where could you use confidence outside school this week?
If you did this again, what would you change?

Support: Read prompts aloud, pair with a confident partner, and accept spoken or drawn answers for writing steps.

Stretch: Ask pupils to create their own extra step for a partner and explain the correct answer.

National Curriculum: English: reading comprehension, vocabulary, grammar and writing
National Curriculum: English: composition — planning and drafting ideas (KS1/KS2)
National Curriculum: Design & Technology: generate, develop and communicate ideas
PSHE: Health & wellbeing: self-concept, strengths and interests

Pupil sheet

Name: ____________________ Date: __________

1. Which statement is an opinion?
☐ A week has seven days
☐ June has thirty days
☐ Summer is the best season
2. A headline says “Everyone agrees!” What should you ask?
☐ Can I copy it?
☐ Is the font big?
☐ What evidence supports that claim?
3. What makes a report more balanced?
☐ Considering different supported viewpoints
☐ Only quoting one friend
☐ Removing every fact
4. Connect the clues to their meanings.
Verifiable detail → ________________
Personal judgement → ________________
Named reliable source → ________________
5. Write a short report about a pretend school event. Label two facts and one opinion.