Bias

Open Ended

Fact: (Topic selected in class)

Open Ended

Opinion: (Topic selected previously)

Fact or Opinion

Multiple Choice

All teenagers are rebellious.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Over 8.3 million people live in New York City.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Math is the most important subject to learn.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

There are more species of insects than mammals

in the world.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Amy won first place at

the dance competition.

• Fact

• Opinion

Multiple Choice

Hot chocolate tastes

better than coffee.

• Fact

• Opinion

Bias Detective

Poll

“Mr. Harris will bring nothing but trouble to Valley City.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Poll

“Gregory Harris is the new mayor of Valley City, bringing with him over 10 years of experience in leadership roles...”

• Fact

• Opinion

Poll

“72% voted for Gregory Harris, making him the new mayor of Valley City.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Poll

“Gregory Harris is the best thing that has ever happened to Valley City.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Poll

“There has been both positive and negative feedback from the community, some people think Mr. Harris will be good for Valley City and others think he will not.”

• Fact

• Opinion

Poll

“I think Gregory will be very successful as mayor.”

• Fact

• Opinion

City Council is proposing the construction of a new skateboard
park. It will be built beside a local high school and park area. You
have been given the profile of a character who lives in the
community.

Your job is to brainstorm what this character’s bias might be
towards the situation. Present your perspective to City Council,
including the character’s bias in your argument.

City Council - Let’s Think About It

How did the character’s personal experiences affect
their perspective?

City Council - Let’s Think About It

Open Ended

Susan

Susan is a mother of three young children who lives

near the area that the skateboard park would be

built. She is wary of teenagers and worries they

might be a bad influence on her children. She is also

worried that there will be noise later in the evening

because of the park.

Open Ended

Harrison

Harrison is a contractor who would be hired to build

the skateboard park if it is built. He does not live

near the park but constructing the park would be a

high paying job. He would also be able to hire other

workers which he thinks would help the community.

Open Ended

Lea

Lea is a grade nine student attending the high

school. She is a skateboarder, and is excited about

the idea of a skateboard park because it is so close

to her school and would be easy to get to after class.

Open Ended

Jillian

Jillian is the principal at the high school. She thinks

that the park would stop students from

skateboarding on school property. She also thinks it

would help students stay out of trouble by having

something to do after school.

Open Ended

Why might a person’s personal bias be a bad

thing when making big decisions that affect a community?