Twenty Questions: The Fact or Fiction Edition
Categories: 2nd Grade, Reading, Writing
Many of the great philosophers knew that often the best way to learn is through conversation between teacher and student. And the same holds true at home between parent and child. Start a dialogue with your child to help her learn the difference between fact and opinion. One way to get the ball rolling is to play a version of "Twenty Questions."
Here's how it works: ask your child a question and, after she responds, have her determine whether her answer is based on fact or opinion. You can help your child clarify between their opinion and facts by asking them, "Does everyone share the same belief?"
Here are some sample questions below:
1. Where is your favorite place to visit?
2. How many legs does a cow have?
3. What's your favorite food?
4. What is 2 + 2 ?
5. How often should people replace their sneakers?
6. What is the best book you ever read?
7. Who is the best dog in the world?
8. What are the colors of the American flag?
9. In what city to do you live?
10. How did dinosaurs become extinct?
11. What is the best subject in school?
12. What happens to maple trees in the fall?
13. How many prongs does a dinner fork have?
14. What do carrots taste like?
15. What color is the inside of a pineapple?
16. What's the coolest thing about your teacher?
17. What month is Christmas celebrated?
18. What are the five vowels in the alphabet?
19. What's your favorite kind of ice cream?
20. What's the name of your school?
These questions can get more sophisticated, based on the age of your child and the nature of the topic you choose. The more controversial the question, the more sophisticated the discussion!
If the "Twenty Questions" are making your child a little hot under the collar, feel free to switch roles--have your child grill you with questions, followed by a discussion as to whether this is fact or your opinion.
Giovanna Queeto has taught a broad range of ages and subjects. She has taught art in a Montessori classroom, English as a foreign language in Canada and Italy, and was the Garden Educator in Oakland, CA public elementary schools. She plans to continue her career in the public school setting.
