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This lesson introduces the concept of honesty as telling the truth and being trustworthy.
Imagine you found a shiny gold coin on the playground and no one was looking. Would you keep it in your pocket, or try to find the person who lost it?
1. You accidentally knock over a glass of orange juice while your parents are in the other room. 2. You feel a little bit scared that you might get in trouble. 3. Instead of hiding the mess, you go to your parents and say, 'I accidentally spilled my juice. I'm sorry.' 4. This is honesty because you told the truth about what happened right away.
Quick Check
If you tell the truth even when you are worried about getting in trouble, are you being honest?
Answer
Yes, telling the truth even when it is hard is a very important part of being honest.
Every time you tell the truth, you add a strong brick to your Trust Bridge. This bridge connects you to your friends, teachers, and family. When people know you are honest, they feel safe with you. They know that if you say you will do something, you will do it. However, telling a lie is like taking a brick out of the bridge. If too many bricks are missing, the bridge becomes shaky, and it is hard for people to walk across it to reach you. Keeping your bridge strong is one of the best things you can do for your friendships.
1. You find a cool toy car under a bench at the park. 2. You really like it and want to take it home. 3. You realize that someone else is probably sad they lost it. 4. You take the toy to a park ranger or a grown-up to help find the owner. 5. By doing this, you are being trustworthy because you are doing the right thing even when no one told you to.
Quick Check
Why is honesty like a bridge between you and your friends?
Answer
Because honesty builds trust, which allows people to feel close to you and rely on you.
Being honest is a choice we make every single day. It is like a muscle; the more you practice choosing the truth, the stronger your 'honesty muscle' gets! Sometimes, it might seem easier to tell a small lie to avoid a problem, but that usually makes things more complicated later. When you choose to be honest, you get a 'clean' feeling inside because you don't have to worry about being caught in a lie. You can be proud of who you are!
1. Your teacher asks if everyone finished their reading homework. 2. You forgot to do yours because you were playing outside. 3. You could stay quiet and hope the teacher doesn't notice, or you could raise your hand. 4. You choose to raise your hand and say, 'I forgot to do mine, but I will finish it tonight.' 5. This is a challenge because it takes courage to admit a mistake, but it proves you are a responsible and honest student.
What is the best definition of honesty?
Honesty is a choice we have to make every day.
If you break a toy by accident, what is the honest thing to do?
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow morning, ask yourself: 'What is one way I can build my Trust Bridge today?'
Practice Activity
The 'Truth Check': If you find yourself about to say something that isn't quite true, stop, take a breath, and try to say the real version instead.