Lesson Plan
Honesty Mirror Challenge Plan
Students will define honesty, reflect on truthful communication through a mirror metaphor, and role-play a scenario demonstrating honest dialogue.
Building honesty fosters trust, self-awareness, and clear communication. This universal (MTSS Tier 1) lesson supports all 3rd graders in understanding truthfulness and practicing honest interactions.
Audience
3rd Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive reflection and role-play using a mirror metaphor.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Honesty Mirror Challenge Plan, True Reflections Slides, and Mirror Skit Script.
- Gather and check condition of the Truth Toss Beanbag.
- Arrange student seating in a circle for the warm-up game and clusters for small‐group work.
- Pre-assign or plan groups of 3–4 students, ensuring diverse pairings and supports as needed.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Truth Toss Game
5 minutes
- Explain that students will toss the Truth Toss Beanbag to a classmate and answer an honest prompt (e.g., "What’s one thing you did yesterday?").
- Model a toss and honest response yourself.
- Facilitate 5–6 tosses, praising clear, truthful communication.
- Check for understanding and provide sentence starters if needed.
Step 2
Direct Teach: Honesty & Mirror Metaphor
7 minutes
- Display True Reflections Slides.
- Define honesty: "telling the truth, even when it’s hard."
- Introduce the mirror metaphor: honesty reflects our true self.
- Invite volunteers to share why a mirror shows the real you and how honesty does the same.
- Use questioning strategies to engage all learners.
Step 3
Small-Group Skit Practice
10 minutes
- Divide students into pre-assigned groups of 3–4.
- Give each group a scenario and the Mirror Skit Script.
- Students assign roles (speaker, listener, mirror observer).
- Practice the skit, emphasizing clear honest dialogue and body language.
- Teacher circulates, prompts reflection questions, and offers support.
Step 4
Class Showcase & Feedback
8 minutes
- Each group performs their skit for the class.
- After each performance, peers share one strength and one tip focused on honesty ("I liked how you…").
- Teacher highlights effective honest communication and ties back to the mirror metaphor.
- Reinforce key concepts and congratulate students on practicing honesty.
Slide Deck
True Reflections
Welcome to our lesson on honesty!
Just like a mirror shows your real face, honesty helps others see your real self.
Greet students and set the tone: excitement about exploring honesty. Point out the mirror graphic on screen.
What Is Honesty?
Honesty means telling the truth, even when it’s hard.
• You say what really happened.
• You share how you really feel.
Read definition aloud. Ask two volunteers: “What does honesty mean to you?”
The Mirror Metaphor
• A mirror reflects exactly who you are.
• Honesty reflects what’s in your heart and mind.
When we’re honest, others see the real us.
Show a side-by-side animation of a person looking into a mirror. Emphasize the metaphor.
Why Honesty Matters
• Builds trust with friends and family
• Helps you feel proud of yourself
• Keeps relationships strong
• Makes solving problems easier
Discuss each bullet. Invite examples: “When might honesty be tough?”
Mirror Moment: Reflection
Think quietly for 30 seconds:
“Describe a time you told the truth even when it was hard.”
Turn and share with your partner.
Prompt students to think quietly. Then share with a partner.
Small-Group Skit Practice
In your groups of 3–4:
- Assign roles: Speaker, Listener, Mirror Observer.
- Use the Mirror Skit Script.
- Practice honest dialogue and body language.
Explain roles for skit practice. Show example scenario and model one line.
Ready to Showcase
• Groups will perform for the class.
• After each skit, peers share:
– One thing you liked.
– One tip for even more honesty.
Let’s show our true reflections!
Encourage enthusiasm and positive feedback. Remind students of “one strength + one tip.”
Script
Mirror Skit Script
In each of the three scenarios below, students take on three roles:
• Speaker: Practices telling the truth in a specific situation.
• Listener: Reacts and asks follow-up questions.
• Mirror Observer: Watches for honest words, clear voice, and honest body language. After the skit, they give one strength and one tip based on the mirror metaphor.
Scenario 1: Lost Pencil at Recess
Roles & Instructions
• Speaker: You find a pencil on the playground. It’s not yours, and you know you should return it.
• Listener: You think you lost your pencil during recess and hope someone will bring it back.
• Mirror Observer: Watch how clearly the Speaker tells the truth and keep an eye on their posture and eye contact.
Sample Dialogue
Speaker: “Hi, I found this pencil on the slide. I think it might be yours. Is this your pencil?”
Listener: “Yes, that’s mine! Thank you for being honest and returning it.”
Mirror Observer: “I liked how you spoke loudly and looked at your friend. You told the truth even when you could have kept it.”
Scenario 2: Broken Eraser in Class
Roles & Instructions
• Speaker: You accidentally press too hard and break a classmate’s eraser during math work. You feel nervous but know you should tell them.
• Listener: You notice your eraser in pieces and wonder what happened.
• Mirror Observer: Notice whether the Speaker admits the mistake honestly and watches their tone of voice.
Sample Dialogue
Speaker: “I’m sorry—when I bumped your desk, your eraser broke. I didn’t mean to; can I help you get a new one?”
Listener: “Thanks for telling me. I was worried someone hid it. I’d appreciate your help getting a new eraser.”
Mirror Observer: “You apologized sincerely and offered a solution. Your shoulders were relaxed, and you looked at them—great honesty!”
Scenario 3: Forgotten Homework
Roles & Instructions
• Speaker: You forgot to do your reading log last night and have to explain it to the teacher.
• Listener: You’re the teacher who notices the missing homework and asks what happened.
• Mirror Observer: Watch for clear explanation and honest body language—no fidgeting or blaming others.
Sample Dialogue
Speaker: “I’m sorry, I forgot my reading log at home. I stayed up late helping my little sister—I’ll bring it tomorrow.”
Listener: “Thank you for telling me the truth. Please remember to bring it first thing, and I appreciate your honesty.”
Mirror Observer: “You explained clearly why it happened and told the truth. Your hands stayed calm, and you spoke confidently.”
After each group practices, the Mirror Observer shares one strength (“I liked how you…”) and one tip (“Next time, you could…”) to help peers see their true reflection of honesty.
Game
Truth Toss Beanbag Game Instructions
Objective:
Help students practice honest speaking in a fun, active way. Each toss invites a truthful response to a simple prompt.
Materials:
- A soft beanbag (the “Truth Toss Beanbag”)
- Paper strips with honest‐thinking prompts (folded and placed in a small basket)
- Seating in a circle
Setup (5 minutes)
- Prepare 20–30 prompt strips (see Sample Prompts below).
- Fold each strip so students can’t see the prompt before tossing.
- Place folded strips in a basket or container at the circle center.
- Have students sit in a circle facing inward.
Game Play (5 minutes)
- Teacher models:
- Pick up the beanbag, hold it gently, and say, “I’m ready to share!”
- Toss the beanbag to a student across the circle.
- That student catches the beanbag, reaches into the basket, and unfolds one prompt strip.
- They read the prompt out loud and answer honestly.
- After answering, the student chooses another classmate, says their name, and gently tosses the beanbag to them.
- Repeat until 6–8 students have answered (monitor pacing).
- Encourage sentence starters when needed (e.g., “I remember when…,” “One thing I did was…,” “I feel that…”).
Variations & Supports
- Partner Toss: Have students toss only to their partner and then switch roles.
- Follow‐Up Question: After the answer, the catcher asks one follow‐up (e.g., “Why was that your choice?”).
- Visual Aid: Display 2–3 sample sentence starters on chart paper.
Sample Prompts (choose 15–20)
- What’s one fun thing you did yesterday?
- Name your favorite book and why you like it.
- What’s one chore you helped with at home?
- Share something you found challenging this week.
- What did you eat for breakfast today?
- Tell us one kind thing you did for a friend.
- What made you happy this morning?
- Name one thing you’re looking forward to.
- When do you feel proud of yourself?
- What’s one thing you learned last week?
- Share a time you said sorry and why.
- What’s your favorite way to relax?
- Describe a moment you were brave.
- What’s one rule you follow at home?
- Tell us one thing that makes you laugh.
Teacher Tip: Keep energy high, model honest responses, and reinforce that there’s no “right” answer—just their true voice!