A fact is a statement that can be proven.

An opinion is a statement that tells what someone thinks or believes.

An opinion cannot be proven.

Words such as best, worst, good and bad are often used when giving opinions.

Now let’s read a story together and practice what we’ve learned.

Read each sentence and tell whether it is a fact or an opinion.

The underlined phrases are hints to help you.

My family and I moved out West in the spring of 1849.

We settled in a tent town called Gopher Gulch.

That was the worst little town in the world.

There were no sidewalks, just muddy paths.

Gopher Gulch was a lonesome place, too.

There were only three families there when we moved in.

After a while, Gopher Gulch started to grow.

We even put up a sign that said “Gopher Gulch.”

Fine new businesses seemed to be popping up overnight!

Ten new businesses opened up in the spring of 1850.

It was a good thing to have a bakery and a general store.

Many people stayed in the new hotel.

People living in tents enjoyed taking baths in the new bath house.

My mom will be glad when we can build a church.

The best things to come to Gopher Gulch though, were sidewalks.