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Judging Trustworthy Sources

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Judging Trustworthy Sources

Students learn to judge whether simple data sources and texts are accurate and trustworthy, using concrete checks like counting matches, checking the maker, and testing facts.

Introduction

You will learn how to judge if a source is trustworthy. A source is trustworthy when you can trust the facts inside it. You will use simple checks on charts, labels, and short texts to decide if they tell the truth.

A trustworthy source gives you facts that are true and checked. Think about a weather chart that shows how much it rained each day last week. If a real weather helper wrote the numbers down, you can trust it. If your friend just guessed the numbers, you cannot trust it as much.

A source does not need big fancy words to be trustworthy. It needs facts that are correct and can be checked by looking again or asking someone who knows.

Some sources are simple, like a chart, a label, or a list of numbers. To judge these, count and look closely. Ask yourself three questions.

First, does the chart have a title telling you what it is about? Second, do the numbers make sense together, like do the parts add up to the total? Third, does the chart say who counted or measured the facts? A chart that answers all three questions is more trustworthy than a chart with no title and no maker named.

When you read a short text, such as a fact card about animals, look for clues. A trustworthy text names where the facts came from, like a zoo worker or a science book. It gives facts you could check somewhere else, like how many legs an animal has. A text that is not trustworthy might use words like always or the best without giving any proof.

Try this test: pick two texts about the same topic, like sharks. If both texts say sharks breathe with gills, that fact is likely true. If one text says something strange that the other text does not say at all, be careful with that fact.

Use this table like a checklist when you look at a source. Count how many boxes get a yes.

Question Library fact card about frogs Friend's guess about frogs Names a maker? Yes No Facts can be checked? Yes No Matches other books? Yes Not sure Trustworthy? Yes No
Count the yes answers to judge which source you can trust more.

Some clues tell you a source may not be trustworthy. Watch for numbers that seem too perfect, like every single kid in a class picking the exact same favorite color. Watch for no name on who wrote it. Watch for facts that no other book or person agrees with. When you see these warning signs, ask a teacher or grown up to help you check.

Trustworthy source: A place where information comes from that you can believe because the facts are true.

Maker: The person or group who wrote or made the source, like an author or a scientist.

Warning sign: A clue that tells you a source might not be trustworthy.

Match: When two sources say the same fact about the same topic.

Check: To look again or ask someone to see if a fact is true.

Pick a chart from a book and a chart you made up. Count how many trust check questions each one passes. Then pick two short texts about the same animal and count how many facts match between them.

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