Lesson Plan
Investigation Guide
Students will distinguish honesty, integrity, and reliability through a detective-style case study by identifying examples and categorizing behaviors.
This lesson helps students internalize core character traits by engaging them in hands-on investigation and discussion, fostering ethical thinking and decision-making.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive detective role-play and case sorting.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Prep
10 minutes
- Review the Integrity Detective Slides to ensure familiarity with key concepts.
- Print and cut out copies of the Case File Cards (enough sets for student groups).
- Read through the Investigation Briefing Script and practice the detective narration.
- Arrange desks into small groups for case file sorting.
- Prepare a polling method (e.g., show of hands or digital polling tool).
Step 1
Detective Briefing
5 minutes
- Welcome students as rookie integrity detectives and introduce today’s mission.
- Use the Investigation Briefing Script to set the scene and explain roles.
- Highlight the goal: identify examples of honesty, integrity, and reliability in real-life scenarios.
Step 2
Mini-Lecture on Terms
7 minutes
- Display the Integrity Detective Slides.
- Define and discuss each term with simple examples:
• Honesty: telling the truth even when it’s hard.
• Integrity: doing the right thing when no one is watching.
• Reliability: keeping promises and follow-through. - Check for understanding with quick Q&A.
Step 3
Case File Sort
12 minutes
- Divide students into small groups and provide each group with a set of Case File Cards.
- Instruct groups to read each scenario card and decide if it shows honesty, integrity, or reliability.
- Have students place cards into three labeled envelopes or areas on their desks.
- Circulate, prompt discussion, and ask groups to justify their categorization.
Step 4
Class Verdict Poll
6 minutes
- Reconvene as a full class and review a few challenging case files.
- For each card, conduct a quick class poll (show of hands or digital tool) to decide its category.
- Discuss any differing opinions and reinforce correct distinctions.
- Close by summarizing how these traits help build trust and strong character.
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Slide Deck
Integrity Investigation
Welcome, Integrity Detectives! Get ready to solve mysteries about honesty, integrity, and reliability. Today's mission: identify and categorize real-life scenarios based on these traits.
Introduce yourself as the head detective. Explain that students are rookie detectives and today's mission is to examine case files to learn about honesty, integrity, and reliability.
Detective Briefing
Use your detective skills to read scenario cards, discuss in your team, and decide which trait each scenario shows:
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Reliability
Grab your Case File Cards and let's begin!
Brief students on the activity. Remind them of detective roles and explain the steps: read, discuss, categorize. Show the Investigation Briefing Script.
What is Honesty?
Honesty means telling the truth, even when it’s hard. It’s being open about what really happened.
Example: Admitting you broke a classroom rule, even if you’re worried about getting in trouble.
Define honesty. Ask for student examples. Reinforce with simple, relatable scenarios.
What is Integrity?
Integrity means doing the right thing when no one is watching. It’s having strong morals inside and out.
Example: Returning a lost pencil you found in the hallway, even if no one would know.
Define integrity. Ask students: Why might someone need integrity in real life? Encourage sharing personal experiences.
What is Reliability?
Reliability means keeping your promises and following through. It’s being someone others can count on.
Example: Finishing your homework every day so your teacher can plan lessons.
Define reliability. Ask students: Who is someone reliable in your life? Why do you trust them? Discuss.
Case File Sort
In your small groups, read each scenario card from your Case File Cards. Then, decide if it shows honesty, integrity, or reliability. Place cards into the matching envelope or area.
Set timer for 12 minutes. Circulate around the room, listen to group discussions, and prompt deeper thinking with questions like “Why did you choose that trait?”
Example Scenario
Scenario: "Jamie promised to help clean up the art supplies after class and did it without being asked." Which trait is this?
Discuss with your group before sorting.
Use this slide to model the sorting process. Ask a volunteer group to share their answer and reasoning.
Class Verdict Poll
Let’s review some challenging cards together! For each scenario, raise your hand if you think it shows:
• Honesty
• Integrity
• Reliability
We’ll discuss any disagreements afterward.
Use a quick show of hands or digital poll. Highlight differing opinions and clarify misunderstandings.
Mission Debrief
Great work, detectives! Remember:
• Honesty = telling the truth
• Integrity = doing right when no one’s watching
• Reliability = keeping promises
These traits build trust and strong character.
Summarize key distinctions. Ask students how they can practice these traits at home and school.
Script
Investigation Briefing Script
Teacher (in an excited, official voice):
"Good morning, Integrity Detectives! Welcome to your very first mission as members of the Integrity Investigation Squad. I’m Detective Parker, and I need your sharp eyes and honest hearts today.
Your task is to examine mysterious case files—real-life scenarios—and decide which trait each one shows:
• Honesty: Telling the truth, even when it’s tough.
• Integrity: Doing the right thing when nobody’s watching.
• Reliability: Keeping your promises and following through.
We’ll work in small teams. Each team will get a set of Case File Cards. Read each scenario out loud, talk among your detectives, and agree: is this case about honesty, integrity, or reliability? Then place the card in the matching envelope or area on your desk.
Quick check:
• Raise your hand if you’ve ever told the truth when it was hard.
• Raise your hand if you’ve done the right thing even when no one else knew.
• Raise your hand if you’ve ever kept a promise that was difficult.
Fantastic! You already know these traits in action.
In a few minutes, we’ll come back together as a whole class for a “Class Verdict Poll.” We’ll review some tricky cases, cast our votes with a show of hands, and explain our reasoning.
Detectives, your mission begins now! Let’s sharpen those detective pencils, focus your thinking, and uncover the truth behind each scenario. Good luck!"
(End of briefing.)
Game
Case File Cards
Below are 15 scenario cards. Cut them out and distribute one per card. Students will read each card and decide if it demonstrates Honesty, Integrity, or Reliability.
- case-file-lost-wallet
You find a wallet full of money on the playground. You turn it in to the office without taking anything.
- case-file-bumped-books
You accidentally knock over a stack of textbooks in class. You tell the teacher you were the one who did it.
- case-file-homework-promise
You promise your friend you’ll help them with homework after school and you show up right on time.
- case-file-finished-project
You agreed to finish the group poster for the science fair. You complete it neatly and hand it in two days early.
- case-file-cheating-witness
You see a classmate copying answers on a test. You choose not to look at your paper and later tell the teacher what you saw.
- case-file-returned-pencil
You find a pencil on the hallway floor. Although no one is watching, you pick it up and give it to the lost-and-found.
- case-file-group-meeting
You arrange a meeting time for your group project and send reminders to everyone. You make sure they all remember.
- case-file-helper
Your little brother spills juice on the floor. You clean it up without being asked or told.
- case-file-missed-deadline
You forgot to turn in your spelling sheet, but you admit to your teacher right away and ask how you can make it right.
- case-file-uncalled-for
You promised to lend your classmate your markers but realize you forgot them at home. You call them to explain and offer alternatives.
- case-file-found-answers
You find a page of answers taped to a desk. You rip it off and give it to your teacher instead of sharing with friends.
- case-file-late-arrival
You say you’ll meet your reading buddy at 3:00 PM. You arrive at 2:50 PM so you’re ready when they come.
- case-file-secret-keeper
Your friend tells you a secret that they do not want shared. You keep it—even when others ask you about it.
- case-file-class-cleanup
After art class, you stay a few minutes longer to tidy up brushes and paint, even though cleanup isn’t your job.
- case-file-library-book
You borrowed a book from the library and lost it. You tell the librarian the truth and offer to pay the fine.