Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
The Opinion Thermometer: Free Printable Worksheet for Year 3
- ForYear 3
- StageKey Stage 2
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
The Opinion Thermometer is a free printable PSHE worksheet for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8). Children shade each box from cold to hot to show how much they disagree or agree with a statement. Then they write one piece of evidence that would change their mind. It needs only a pencil, and page 2 gives the grown-up notes, help ideas, a stretch idea and answers.
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
Page 1 has a table to fill in and lines for writing. Each row has a statement, boxes to shade from cold to hot, and a space for one piece of evidence that would change the child's mind. Cold means disagree. Hot means agree. Children shade to show how strongly they feel, then write their evidence. Then they test their mind, as the sheet says. They can swap with a partner afterwards.
- Statement
- Shade: cold to hot
- One piece of evidence that would change my mind
Why use a thermometer for opinions?
An opinion is what someone thinks or feels about something. Other people can think differently, and that is fine. A fact is something that can be checked and shown to be true. Younger children often mix the two up. Learning to sort what we think from what we can check is a useful first step in reasoning, and a thermometer gives that thinking a picture children can see.
Opinions can change when we meet new evidence. That is a sign of good thinking, not weakness. A thermometer works well because feelings come in degrees. Children do not have to choose only yes or no. They can shade a little or a lot, then say what would move their shading. It also helps them listen kindly when a friend disagrees.
Skills and curriculum link
- Giving an opinion
- Explaining reasons
- Thinking about evidence
- Changing your mind kindly
- Listening to others
Ideas to help you talk about opinions
- Opinion or factAn opinion is what you think or feel. A fact can be checked. Two people can share the same facts and still have different opinions.
- EvidenceEvidence is something you can see, count, read or test that helps show what is true. It is stronger than just saying you are sure.
- Degrees of feelingYou can agree a little or a lot. The thermometer shows that feelings are not always all or nothing.
- Kind disagreementYou can disagree and still be friendly. Listen to the whole reason first, then share yours.
Key words
- OpinionWhat a person thinks or feels about something.
- AgreeTo think the same as a statement or another person.
- DisagreeTo think something different from a statement or another person.
- EvidenceSomething that helps show whether an idea is true.
- ReasonThe because part of an answer. It explains why you think something.
- FactSomething that can be checked and shown to be true.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes and answers.
- Work through the first statement together. Read it aloud and talk about how cold or hot your child feels about it.
- Let your child shade each box, then write one piece of evidence that would change their mind. Short phrases are fine.
- Children work alone first, then swap with a partner. Remind them that changing your mind is clever, not weak.
- Check against the notes on page 2. Come back to the sheet another day, because repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Read the statements aloud. Let your child say their evidence out loud before they write anything. Then help them pick a few words to put on the lines. Ask, "What could you see or find out that would make you think again?"
To stretch confident children
Write a new playful statement of your own. Test it on three people and ask each to say how cold or hot they feel about it. Record each person's temperature, then ask each one why they chose it.
Make it a game
Mark a line on the floor from cold to hot. Read out a statement and stand where your opinion fits. A partner shares one fact. If it changes your mind, move along the line and say why.
Mistakes to watch for
Watch forA child shades every box hot because they think that is the answer the grown up wants.
Try thisSay there are no right shades. Ask what they really think, and show that a middle shade is allowed.
Watch forA child writes another opinion in the evidence space instead of evidence.
Try thisAsk, "What could we look up, count or see that would show something new?" Then help them write that down.
Watch forA child says nothing could ever change their mind.
Try thisAsk about a time they changed their mind, perhaps about a food or a game. What made them think again?
Talk about it
- Tell me about a time you changed your mind. What made you change it?
- Is it easier to agree or disagree? Why?
- What is the difference between an opinion and a fact?
- How can you disagree with a friend and still be kind?
- What is the best kind of evidence to change your mind?
- Did anyone's shading surprise you when you swapped?
Take it off the page
Family thermometer
Draw a big thermometer on paper. Ask family members to put a sticker where they sit on a playful statement. Talk about why people chose different places.
Spot the fact
Say some sentences aloud. Your child holds up a thumb for fact or a wave for opinion. Then swap roles and let them make up the sentences.
Persuade me
Pick a harmless choice, like which snack to have. Each person gives one reason. Everyone shades their feelings before and after to see if anyone moved.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first statement, then let them lead. Ask about their shading without judging it. Praise the thinking, and share a time you changed your own mind.
Teachers
Use it as a starter, plenary, early finisher task, homework or table activity. It needs no preparation beyond printing. Pair children to swap sheets so they hear different views, and model respectful disagreement.
Home educators
Use it alone or as part of a wider PSHE plan. It pairs well with books, outdoor play and everyday talk. Print it again for brothers and sisters, or to revisit later and see whether views have shifted.
Where this fits in
Before this sheet, children learn to say what they like and dislike and to take turns in talk. They begin to understand that other people can feel differently from them.
After it, children can practise giving longer reasons, weighing up more than one piece of evidence and discussing different views respectfully in a group. These skills support PSHE and help with persuasive talk and writing in other subjects.
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is The Opinion Thermometer for?
It is written for Year 3 (ages 7 to 8), in Key Stage 2. Older children can use it too if they enjoy discussing opinions, and the stretch idea on page 2 gives them more to do.
- What will children practise?
Children practise sharing an opinion, giving a reason and thinking about evidence that could change their mind. These are PSHE skills, and they also help children listen to others and disagree kindly.
- Are there right answers?
Opinions are personal, so there are no single right shades. Page 2 gives notes and answers for the grown up. Focus on whether a child can explain their thinking and name evidence that might change it.
- What if it feels too hard?
Read the statements aloud and let your child say their evidence before writing a few words. Short phrases are fine. Work through the first statement together, then let them try the next one alone.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another class, and use it again later to see how children's thinking has grown.
- Is it a screen free activity?
Yes. It needs only paper and a pencil, so it works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Screen free learning gives eyes a rest and gets children talking and writing by hand.
- Do I need to print in colour?
No. It prints well in black and white on plain A4 paper. Children shade the boxes with a pencil, so colour is not needed. Print both pages and keep page 2 for the grown up.
Preview the full PDF
Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.