Study and learning skills
Check the source before sharing a claim
For Years 7 and 12 pupils in library or information-literacy sessions, compare two fictional notices, identify who made each and explain which claim needs checking before sharing.
Read the material
For Years 7 and 12 pupils in library or information-literacy sessions, compare two fictional notices, identify who made each and explain which claim needs checking before sharing.
Pupil worksheet. Use the preview for diagrams and layout.
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Check the source before sharing a claim Pupil activity Audience: Years 7 and 12 pupils in library or information-literacy sessions Compare two fictional notices, identify who made each and explain what each notice does and does not establish. Fictional research question When does the town library say its new quiet study room will open? Card A: fictional library notice Published by the fictional town library, dated 4 May: “The study room opens on Monday 12 May. It has 24 seats. Check the library desk for access details.” Card B: fictional anonymous post No author or date shown: “All 24 seats are already reserved, so there is no point visiting.” No link or evidence is provided. Evaluate 1. Who made each card and when? 2. What does the library notice establish? What does it only announce? 3. What evidence is missing from the anonymous post? Pupil activity Page 1 of 2
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Check the source before sharing a claim 4. What would you check with the library before sharing either claim as current fact? Year 12 extension: distinguish confirmation from independent corroboration. Pupil activity Page 2 of 2
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Check the source before sharing a claim Teacher key and guidance supporting this exact edition Teacher check The fictional notice establishes that the fictional library announced an opening date of Monday 12 May and stated a capacity of 24 seats. It does not verify that the room opened then, that the date is current or that seats remain available. The anonymous post does not establish that all seats are reserved. Ask, “What current evidence could confirm the room's status?” Teacher companion Page 1 of 1
A teaching sequence
Evaluate what fictional notices state, what their publication details support and which claims require current verification before sharing.
Identify author and date
Record who published each card and its date.
Which notice supplies both a publisher and a date?
Separate announcement and inference
Separate stated details from your inference.
Does an announced opening establish current seat availability?
Weigh each source's limits
Identify one strength and one limit for each source.
What evidence is missing from the anonymous reservation claim?
Choose a next check
Choose a claim to check and name a suitable next source.
What would you ask the library before sharing this as current fact?
Before you teach
Look for the thinking behind an answer, choose the support your class needs and leave room for an independent response.
What to look for
A fictional notice establishes what the fictional library announced, not verified opening hours or current seat availability. Ask, “What current evidence could confirm the room is open?”
Give a little support
Provide an origin-purpose-evidence-limit grid and discuss one card together.
Take the idea further
Compare with a second source and distinguish confirmation from independent corroboration.
Things to keep in mind
Both notices are fictional teaching materials. They establish no real opening time, seat availability or library policy.
Keep the idea. Make it yours.
Bring your topic, learning goal and class context to PLAI™, then review what you create.
Ideas to try with your class
Sample teaching perspectives on what to try, what to adapt and what to watch for.
Meet The Creators
Meet a creator whose teaching interests connect with this template.
Kindly Red Pen
This two-page information-literacy activity compares two fictional notices about when a town library's quiet study room opens. Pupils identify who published each notice, what the details support and what must be checked before sharing a claim.
Spare Pencil
The fictional notices make publication date, publisher and missing details part of the source evaluation. The task asks pupils to distinguish what a notice says from what it establishes.
Calm Table
Highlight the opening date and seat count, then check which notice provides a current source and where access details should be verified. Use the fiction label throughout the discussion.
Step by Step
The library and notices are fictional; they provide no current opening information for a real library. Verify real service details with the responsible library before sharing them.