Fact-Checking: How to find a fact in an informational book

Topic: Bees do a dance to talk to each other.

Step 1. Select a book on bees or insects.

Step 2. Go to the back of the book to the index; the index is in alphabetical order by topic.

Step 3. If an insect book, look for Bees, 18, 22, 40 (the numbers are the page numbers to go to for information. Or Bees, dances, 18, honey, 22, pollinators, 40.

Step 4. Turn to the pages to see if the information agrees or disagrees with the information from the mentor text.

Step 5. Write down the exact language in quotes and the source of the supporting information. Include the title, the author, the publisher, and the date published. Example: “Bees communicate in the hive using the waggle dance.” The Bee Book by Charlotte Milner, DK Children, 2018.

Step 6. Find at least three sources to corroborate the original fact. Websites can be used, but pre-screen them for authority.