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Honesty Matters

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Stephanie Walker

Tier 3
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Honesty Matters Lesson Plan

In this 15-minute individual lesson, students will define honesty, explore why stealing is harmful, and complete a reflection drawing or sentence to reinforce truthful choices.

Building honesty and trust is essential for social-emotional growth. This lesson helps students understand the impact of stealing, practice telling the truth, and strengthen friendships through honest choices.

Audience

2nd Grade

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Story, discussion, and reflection activity.

Materials

  • The Lost Cookie Story, - Honesty Reflection Worksheet, and - Pencils and Crayons

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print copies of The Lost Cookie Story and Honesty Reflection Worksheet.
  • Review the story to identify key moments about honesty and stealing.
  • Gather pencils and crayons for the reflection activity.

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

  • Greet the student and introduce today's topic: honesty and not stealing.
  • Ask: “What does honesty mean to you?” and listen to the student’s ideas.

Step 2

Story Time

4 minutes

  • Read aloud The Lost Cookie Story.
  • Encourage the student to listen for when the character makes a choice about taking a cookie.

Step 3

Guided Discussion

4 minutes

  • Ask: “Why was taking the cookie without asking wrong?”
  • Discuss how the character felt afterward and how honesty could change the outcome.
  • Invite the student to share a time they told the truth or saw someone being honest.

Step 4

Reflection Activity

4 minutes

  • Give the student the Honesty Reflection Worksheet.
  • Ask them to draw a situation where someone tells the truth and write one sentence about why honesty matters.
  • Provide support and positive feedback on their work.

Step 5

Closing

1 minute

  • Summarize key points: honesty builds trust and strengthens friendships.
  • Praise the student for participating and making honest choices.
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Slide Deck

Honesty Matters

Today we will learn what honesty means and why telling the truth is important.

Welcome the student warmly. Introduce today’s topic: honesty and not stealing. Ask: “Have you ever heard the word honesty? What do you think it means?” Listen and validate their ideas.

What Is Honesty?

• Honesty means telling the truth.
• It helps people trust each other.

Reinforce the definition by giving examples if needed. Ask: “If someone tells the truth, they’re being honest. Can you think of another example of honesty?”

Story Time

Let’s read “The Lost Cookie Story” together.
Listen for when the character decides to take a cookie.

Read aloud The Lost Cookie Story. Encourage the student to listen for when the character makes a choice about taking a cookie.

Let’s Talk About It

  1. Why was taking the cookie without asking wrong?
  2. How did the character feel afterward?
  3. How can telling the truth make things better?

Ask the guided questions one at a time, giving the student time to think. Praise thoughtful answers and guide them toward empathy and honesty.

Reflection Activity

Draw a picture of someone telling the truth.
Write one sentence about why honesty matters.
Use your crayons and pencils!

Hand out the Honesty Reflection Worksheet. Help the student think of a truthful moment to draw. Encourage them to write one sentence explaining why honesty matters.

Great Job!

Honesty builds trust.
Honesty makes friendships stronger.
Keep telling the truth!

Summarize key points: honesty builds trust and friendships. Praise the student for their work and honest ideas. Encourage them to practice honesty every day.

lenny

Reading

The Lost Cookie Story

Mia skipped into the kitchen to get a drink of water. She saw her favorite jar of chocolate chip cookies sitting on the counter. The lid was off, and only one cookie was left inside.

Mia’s tummy rumbled. She picked up the cookie and took a big bite. It tasted warm and sweet. But as she chewed, she noticed a little note stuck to the jar. It said, “For Sunday Dessert — Love, Mom.”

Mia held the crumb-filled cookie in her hand. No one was watching. She could pretend she didn’t know about the note. But a pinch of guilt tugged at her heart. She felt yucky inside for taking something that wasn’t hers to eat yet.

That evening, Mom set the table and asked, “Who ate the last cookie?” Mia’s cheeks turned pink. She thought about hiding the cookie crumbs or saying nothing. But the guilt felt worse than telling the truth.

Mia took a deep breath and said, “Mom, I ate the cookie. I’m sorry.”

Mom smiled and gave Mia a gentle hug. “Thank you for telling the truth,” she said. “Honesty is always the best choice.”

Mia felt relief wash over her. She learned that telling the truth—even when it’s hard—makes you feel proud and builds trust with the people you love.

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lenny

Worksheet

Honesty Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ________________

1. Think about honesty in The Lost Cookie Story.

Draw a picture of a time when you told the truth or saw someone being honest.













2. Write one sentence about why honesty matters.







3. Write one sentence about how you felt after telling the truth.







4. Circle one and finish the sentence:

I will practice honesty by…

A. telling the truth even when it’s hard

B. admitting when I make a mistake

C. asking before taking something that isn’t mine

Finish the sentence:

I will practice honesty by …







Great job! Remember, honest choices help build trust and strong friendships.

lenny
lenny