Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
Fake News Spotter: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 5
- ForYear 5
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
Fake News Spotter is a free printable worksheet for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10). Children use a simple checklist to decide whether a story can be trusted. They ask who made it, whether a second source agrees, and whether it is pushing them to share. It takes about 20 minutes, needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown up notes, help ideas and a stretch task.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. Print both pages, give page 1 to your child and keep page 2 for yourself. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
Children use a checklist to test a story. They tick off the questions as they go: who made it, whether there is a real author or website name, whether a second trusted source tells the same story, whether it uses shouting words, whether it wants them to share before thinking, and whether the picture matches. There are lines for writing their own thinking.
- Who made it? Do I know and trust them?
- Is there a real author or website name?
- Can I find the same story from a second source I trust?
- Does it use shouting words or too many exclamation marks?
- Does it want me to share it before I think?
- Does the picture match the story?
The checks children practise
Who made it?
Children ask whether they know and trust the person or group behind a story. A story with no clear maker is harder to trust.
Is there a second source?
Children look for the same story from another source they trust. One source on its own is not enough to be sure.
How does it sound?
Shouting words and lots of exclamation marks can be a sign that a story wants a reaction, not careful thought.
Pause before sharing
Children learn to stop and think before passing a story on. They also check whether the picture really fits the words.
Why check a story before sharing?
Children now meet news, videos, posts and pictures every day, and not all of it is made with care. Some stories are mistakes. Some are jokes. Some are written to get attention or clicks. A child who asks where a story came from is already thinking like a careful reader, and that habit helps in every subject.
Checking does not mean distrusting everything. It means asking a few calm questions before believing or sharing. A checklist gives children words for their doubts and a clear order to work through. Over time the questions become automatic, and children can explain their reasons to others.
An adult should choose the story for the activity and check it first. Pick something harmless and funny, not upsetting or frightening. If you use a video clip, an adult sets up and controls the device.
Quick facts about stories and sources
- A headline is the short title at the top of a story. It is meant to catch your eye.
- Some made up stories are written as jokes. Others are written to get people to click or share.
- A picture can be real but still be used with the wrong story.
- Reliable news places usually tell you who wrote a story.
- Checking the same story in a second place is a good way to test it.
Skills and curriculum link
- Online safety
- Critical thinking
- Checking sources
- Reading carefully
- Explaining reasons
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Curriculum (England) | Computing | Online safety | Year 5 |
What children will be able to do
- I can ask where information comes from.
- I can spot signs that a story might not be true.
- I can check before I share.
Ideas for the grown up
- Start with a story they enjoyPick a light, harmless story so children can practise without worry. Funny animal stories work well.
- Ask why, not just yes or noWhen your child ticks a box, ask what made them decide. The reasoning matters more than the tick.
- Model your own checkingSay out loud how you would check a story. Children learn the habit by hearing it.
- Praise the pauseCelebrate when a child says they would wait and check first. That is the skill you want to build.
Key words
- SourceThe place or person a piece of information comes from.
- AuthorThe person who wrote something.
- HeadlineThe short title at the top of a story.
- Fake newsA made up or false story that is shared as if it were true.
- TrustTo feel sure that someone or something is honest and reliable.
- ShareTo pass a story or picture on to other people.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Choose a harmless story together, such as a funny animal story. A printed article or one read aloud keeps everything on paper. If you pick a video clip, an adult sets up the device.
- Work through the checklist together the first time. Talk about each choice and ask why they ticked it.
- Check your thinking against the notes on page 2. Ask, "What would you do before sharing it?"
- Come back another day with a different story. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Use only the first three questions and talk them through with a grown up. Read the story aloud, then ask one question at a time. Point to the part of the story that gives the clue. Say your thinking out loud so your child can copy it.
To stretch confident children
Find one story that passes all the checks and one that fails. Explain the difference in writing or aloud. Which check was the most useful? Then write a short note to a friend saying what to do before sharing a story.
Make it a game
A grown up reads out a made up headline. Children use the checklist questions to decide whether they would believe it. They give a reason for their choice. Take turns, so children can also invent headlines for the grown up to test.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child believes a story because the picture looks real.
Try thisAsk whether the picture matches the words. Then ask who took it and where else the story appears.
Watch forA child ticks every box quickly without thinking.
Try thisSlow down and ask for one reason for each tick. Point to the exact part of the story that shows it.
Watch forA child thinks one trusted friend sharing a story proves it is true.
Try thisExplain that friends can make mistakes too. Look for a second source the child trusts and compare the two.
Talk about it
- Who do you think made this story, and why?
- How could we find a second source for it?
- Which words in the story try to make you feel strongly?
- Why might someone want you to share it quickly?
- Does the picture really match the story?
- What would you do if you were not sure?
Take it off the page
Headline detectives
Cut headlines from an old newspaper or magazine. Sort them into ones you would trust at once and ones you would check first. Say why for each.
Make a silly headline
Write a funny made up headline and a short story under it. Swap with someone and use the checklist to test it.
Source hunt
Pick one fact, such as the tallest animal. Find it in two different books and compare. Do they agree?
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go, then let them lead. About 20 minutes is plenty. Ask for reasons, not just answers, and praise any time they say they would stop and check.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, a plenary, an early finisher task or a table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing, and page 2 has support and stretch ideas for mixed ability groups.
Home educators
Print it as part of a wider computing plan. It pairs well with talk about everyday media, books and library visits. Reuse it for brothers, sisters or revision a few weeks later.
Where this fits
Before this, children learn simple rules for staying safe online and talk about who they can trust. They also practise finding information in books and on trusted websites.
After this, children can compare how different sources report the same event. They can also think about how pictures are edited and how to report content that worries them.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Who wrote this, and why might they have written it?
- How could you check if it is true?
- What would you do before sharing it?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is Fake News Spotter for?
It is written for Year 5 (ages 9 to 10), in Key Stage 2. Younger children can try it with a grown up using only the first three questions, and older children can use the stretch task.
- How long does it take?
It takes about 20 minutes. Working through the first go together is a good idea, and the notes on page 2 suggest ways to make it shorter or longer.
- Do children need a screen?
No, the sheet itself is screen free and needs only paper and a pencil. Choose a printed or spoken story to keep it that way. If you pick a video clip, that needs a device, and an adult sets it up.
- Can teachers use it in class?
Yes. Teachers can use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It supports the online safety strand of Computing in the National Curriculum for England at Key Stage 2. Please check it against your own plan.
- What if it feels too hard?
Use only the first three questions and talk them through together. Read the story aloud and ask one question at a time. Point to the clues in the story so children can see what to look for.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or revision, and it prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper.
- Can home educators use it?
Yes. Home educators and tutors can use it on its own or as part of a wider computing plan. Short sessions of about 20 minutes work well, and you can repeat it with new stories.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.