Students explore the meaning of honesty related to playing by the rules and making choices that support the common good. They discuss and illustrate how people could respond honestly or dishonestly to the same situation. They learn vocabulary related to honesty. Students role-play using familiar scenarios in ways that follow the rules and support straightforward communication, and also ways that do not support the rules. They will discuss the value of rules for supporting the common good and reflect in writing on the role of common good and honesty when rules are not clearly stated.
Focus Questions:
What role does honesty play in relationships and life success? How can developing honesty equip people as world citizens who contribute to the common good?
Five 20-minute lessons
The learner will:
engage in a role-play contrasting irresponsible/dishonest and responsible/honest behaviors.
describe how honest behaviors relate to the common good.
identify in scenarios how following rules and taking personal responsibility are examples of honesty.
This character education mini-lesson is not intended to be a service learning lesson or to meet the K-12 Service-Learning Standards for Quality Practice. The character education units will be most effective when taught in conjunction with a student-designed service project that provides a real world setting in which students can develop and practice good character and leadership skills. For ideas and suggestions for organizing service events go to The League.
In lesson one have the students start a discussion by asking their families, "Why is it important to you that people are honest?"
See individual lessons for benchmark detail.
Lessons Developed By:
Barbara Dillbeck
Director
Learning to Give
Betsy Flikkema
Associate Director
Learning to Give
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