LET'S BE HONEST

Name: LET'S BE HONEST
Author: P.K. Hallinan

A story that explores integrity and opens a conversation with your child.

★★★★★ Loved by families

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♥ This book teaches: Integrity. doing what is right when no one is watching.

Before, During & After Reading

Guiding Questions for Parents.

Definition: Integrity means being honest, and responsible and respectful all the time, whether or not people can see what you’re doing. In short: Do the right thing, even when no one's looking. Summary: This book is a poem about what honesty is and isn’t. The messages are about how good we feel when we are honest. There’s always another chance to tell the truth even if we don’t do it at first. It might be scary to be honest because we’re afraid of getting in trouble, but in the end, it’s the best thing to do and we feel good when we tell the truth. It’s all said in simple, rhythmic verse that a four year old could understand. Lesson Objectives:

Students talk about what honesty is and isn’t and why it’s hard to be honest sometimes. They are more inclined to tell the truth instead of lying.

Guiding Questions:

“I try to be honest in every way, from the things that I do to the things that I say.” Practice this with a grown up and try to memorize it.
When you’re honest with your friends and family, why do you think they will be honest with you?
How do you feel when you make a mistake? Do you feel sad? Scared?
What can you do when you make a mistake to make those feelings go away?
How do you feel when you decide to tell the truth and do it even though it might be scary?
What could you do when you’re about to say words that are hurtful? Do you say them anyway, or do you stop yourself?
“Treat others as you would like to be treated.” Try to memorize the golden rule.
What are some ways you can practice the golden rule?
Do you think everyone makes mistakes, or only some people?
What are some words to use when you want to apologize?

🌿 Virtue Connection: Integrity means doing what is right even when no one is watching.

Activities for This Story.

Activity: Students practice saying some of the lyrics in this poem. They make up motions to go with the words.

Materials needed: the resource video or book; a story board with the lyrics to be practiced and memorized Lyrics from “Let’s Be Honest” I try to be honest in every way, from the things that I do to the things that I say. When I’m honest with others, it’s easy to see, they tend to be friendly and honest with me. Sometimes I’ll make a little mistake, I’ll tell a tall tale, or I’ll hide what I break. But whenever I say what I know isn’t true, I feel kind of lonely, unhappy, and blue. But then when I’m honest it’s a marvelous thing, I feel so much better my heart starts to sing! And it’s easy to see how the truth sets us free. ‘Cause whenever I’m honest I sleep peacefully.

Directions: Introduce the topic of honesty. Ask students what it means to be honest. Model an example for them, such as, “I’m being honest when I tell my teacher I broke something in the classroom; it was an accident.” Ask them to share an example of what it means to be honest. Tell students you’d like to share with them a poem about honesty. Show them the video, pause in places to discuss and check for comprehension. Then invite students to look at the storyboard with the lyrics. Ask students to listen to you, then repeat with you each line of poetry (you don’t have to go through the whole poem, only what they can handle with a short attention span). Invite students to suggest movements and facial expressions that can go with some of the lines. Then ask students to say the words with you and act it out.

Wrap up: Conclude, “We learned a lot about honesty today. Who can tell me one thing you remember? [pause for responses, prompt if necessary]. I hope you enjoyed this poem and that you can practice being honest here at school and at home, too!”

About the Story.

This guide is part of the Values & Virtues library, a free collection of 400+ book guides and activities organized around 12 core virtues for children from pre-K to 6th grade. Each guide includes Guiding Questions designed to open a real conversation with your child in 10 minutes or less.