True or False?
Every CLAIM (a statement someone makes) can be TRUE or FALSE. "Cats are mammals." (TRUE.) "The earth is flat." (FALSE.) Strong thinkers don't just believe what they hear — they CHECK whether claims are true. That's a key skill not just in school, but in life.
How to check a claim. (1) ASK: how do I know? Where did this come from? (2) LOOK for EVIDENCE — facts, data, examples. (3) TRY EXCEPTIONS: is there any case where it's false? (4) ASK A TRUSTED ADULT or look it up in a reliable source (encyclopedia, science website, dictionary). (5) BE BRAVE enough to say "I don't know" if you're not sure.
Which is the BEST way to check if a claim is true?
Some claims are EASIER to check than others. "Water boils at 100°C at sea level." (Easy — measure or look up.) "My grandma is the best cook in the world." (Harder — opinion, not fact.) "X political leader is good." (Hard — depends on values, evidence, perspective.) Knowing the difference between FACT, OPINION, and DEBATABLE claim helps you think more clearly.
Claim Check
Pick 3 claims you've heard recently. For each, decide: TRUE? FALSE? OPINION? Look up the factual ones to confirm. Notice how often "everyone knows" claims turn out to need real checking.
True/false thinking is the heart of logic AND science. Smart people pause and ask "is that actually true?" — and they're willing to update what they believe based on what they find.
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