*Truthfulness

Lesson for Truthfulness Have the students discuss the word "truthfulness" and talk about why being truthful is important

Read the fable "The Boy Who Cried Wolf" Point out that when the boy yells "wolf" he is lying as a way of getting attention and that there was a consequence for his actions. Follow with guiding questions: How did the lies the shepherd boy told hurt him? How did it put the sheep in danger? How do you think the people from the village felt about the boy when he lied? How can the boy gain back the trust of the villagers? What could the shepherd boy do differently in the future to get attention?

Relate story to their lives: Has a friend ever lied to you? How did it make you feel? What did you do about it? Did your friend gain back your trust?/How?

Play game "Two truths and a lie" Children takes turns telling the group two truths and one lie about themselves. The group will guess which statement is the lie.

Small School Gathering 12/7/10 Truthfulness

Begin by greeting each other, making eye contact (this will be important later!) Define Truthfulness—to be honest about things and feeling with oneself and others · What to say · When to say it (privately vs. publicly) · To whom to say it (person involved for solving vs. others for complaining) · How to say it (kind vs. mean)

Important considerations—Ex: Boy Who Cried Wolf (Reputation is important) · Don’t exaggerate · Make careful observations · Use precise communication · Stick to the facts

Play a game to demonstrate: Have one student step outside the classroom. Ask questions about the student. For example, what color was his shirt? Was he wearing sneakers or other shoes? Was he wearing jeans or other pants? Etc. Have the student come back in and see if observations and statements were accurate. Relate to above discussion.

Discuss what students can do · Explain their own misbehavior · Turn things in to lost and found (especially money!) · Tell teacher “ I forgot…” or “I did…” instead of making up a story · Learn tact (explain this) · Don’t spread rumors or hurtful stories

Share an experience from your childhood when you told a lie, got into trouble, and learned a lesson.

Read __Little Red Riding Hood__ by Trina Schart Hyman. Would you have believed the wolf? Brainstorm questions Red Riding Hood should have asked the wolf before believing everything he told her.