How I Know
Learn
When you answer a question, it's not just about saying the answer - it's about telling HOW you know! This is called giving a reason.
What Does "How I Know" Mean?
How I know is when you explain WHY you think your answer is right. You give a reason or show proof!
Sentence Starters That Help!
Use these magic words to explain your thinking:
Tell what you noticed
Give your reason
Point to evidence
Share a clue you found
Why Give Reasons?
When you explain HOW you know, you show that you really understand! It helps you think better AND helps others understand YOU!
Steps to Explain Your Thinking
Answer
Say what you think
Reason
Say WHY you think that
Proof
Show what helped you know
Good vs. Not-So-Good Explanations
Not-so-good: "The answer is 5."
Better: "The answer is 5 because I counted the apples: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5!"
Not-so-good: "It's a cat."
Better: "I know it's a cat because I see whiskers, pointy ears, and a tail!"
Examples
Let's see how to explain our thinking!
Example 1: Counting
Question: How many stars? ⭐⭐⭐
Answer with reason:
What makes this good: The answer (3) AND the proof (counting)!
Example 2: Picture Clues
Question: Is it daytime or nighttime? (Picture shows sun and blue sky)
Answer with reason:
What makes this good: Uses picture clues as proof!
Example 3: Comparing
Question: Which is bigger - a dog or a mouse?
Answer with reason:
What makes this good: Compares using things we know!
Example 4: Reading a Story
Question: How does the bear feel?
Answer with reason:
What makes this good: Uses words from the story as proof!
Example 5: Making Predictions
Question: What will happen next if we plant a seed?
Answer with reason:
What makes this good: Uses what we already learned as a reason!
Practice Problems
Answer each question AND explain how you know!
Problem 1
How many hearts? ❤️❤️❤️❤️
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"There are 4 hearts. I know because I counted them: one, two, three, four!"
Problem 2
Is this animal a bird? 🐧
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"Yes, a penguin is a bird. I know because it has feathers, wings, and lays eggs, even though it can't fly!"
Problem 3
Which season shows falling leaves? 🍂
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"It is fall (autumn). I know because in fall, leaves turn orange and brown and fall off trees!"
Problem 4
What comes next: 1, 2, 3, ___?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"4 comes next. I know because when we count, 4 always comes after 1, 2, 3!"
Problem 5
Is an apple a fruit or a vegetable?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"An apple is a fruit. I know because fruits have seeds inside, and apples have seeds!"
Problem 6
What do you wear when it rains? ☔
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"You wear a raincoat or carry an umbrella. I know because they keep you dry when water falls from the sky!"
Problem 7
Is a fish a mammal?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"No, a fish is not a mammal. I know because fish live in water and breathe through gills, not lungs like mammals!"
Problem 8
Which is heavier - a feather or a rock?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"A rock is heavier. I know because when I hold a rock, it feels heavy, but a feather is so light it floats!"
Problem 9
What shape has 3 sides?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"A triangle has 3 sides. I know because 'tri' means three, and I can count 1, 2, 3 sides on a triangle!"
Problem 10
Why do we brush our teeth?
Give your answer AND your reason!
Show Answer
"We brush our teeth to keep them clean and healthy. I know because brushing removes germs that can make holes (cavities) in our teeth!"
Check Your Understanding
Show what you learned about explaining your thinking!
Question 1
What does "How I Know" mean?
Show Answer
It means explaining WHY you think your answer is right by giving a reason or showing proof!
Question 2
Name two sentence starters you can use to explain your thinking.
Show Answer
You can use: "I know because...", "I see that...", "The picture shows...", or "I noticed that..." (Any 2!)
Question 3
What are the 3 steps to explain your thinking?
Show Answer
1. Answer - Say what you think. 2. Reason - Say WHY you think that. 3. Proof - Show what helped you know!
Question 4
Why is it important to explain how you know?
Show Answer
It shows that you really understand! It helps you think better and helps others understand you!
Next Steps
Practice at Home!
- When someone asks you a question, always say "because..." after your answer
- Ask your family "How do you know?" when they tell you something
- Practice using "I see that..." when looking at pictures in books
- Explain to a stuffed animal how you solved a problem!