Lesson Plan
Investigation Guide
Students will act as Integrity Detectives to distinguish honesty, integrity, and reliability by analyzing real-world case files and collaboratively reaching a class verdict.
Understanding and applying honesty, integrity, and reliability equips students to make ethical decisions, build trust, and develop strong character habits for both school and life.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on detective role-play with case studies.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Integrity Detective Slides and note key definitions and examples.
- Familiarize yourself with the Investigation Briefing Script to set the detective scene.
- Print and cut the Case File Cards into individual sets for small groups.
- Arrange classroom seating into clusters for group work.
Step 1
Detective Briefing
5 minutes
- Gather students and read the opening from the Investigation Briefing Script.
- Describe the detective mission: solve case files to uncover honest, reliable, and integrous behaviors.
- Assign each student the role of “Integrity Detective” and distribute notebooks for notes.
Step 2
Mini-Lecture on Terms
7 minutes
- Display the Integrity Detective Slides.
- Define and contrast:
• Honesty: telling the truth
• Integrity: doing the right thing even when no one is watching
• Reliability: consistently following through on promises - Pause after each term for students to share a quick example.
Step 3
Case File Sort
12 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 and hand out a set of Case File Cards to each group.
- Instruct detectives to read each scenario and sort cards into three piles: Honesty, Integrity, Reliability.
- Circulate to prompt discussion: “Why did you place this scenario here?”
- Encourage evidence-based reasoning using definitions.
Step 4
Class Verdict Poll
6 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole class and invite each group to share one card and their category choice.
- Facilitate a quick poll (thumbs up/down) on whether the class agrees or wants to discuss further.
- Highlight any key takeaways or misconceptions and reinforce correct distinctions.
- Conclude by celebrating student detective work and summarizing the traits.
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Slide Deck
Integrity Detective Training
Welcome, Detectives!
Mission: Distinguish Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability
Get your detective notebooks ready!
Welcome, Integrity Detectives!
• Greet students and introduce the detective theme.
• Explain that over the next 30 minutes they’ll investigate case files to learn three important traits: Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability.
Learning Targets
By the end of today, you will be able to:
• Define Honesty, Integrity, and Reliability
• Identify examples of each trait in real-life scenarios
• Work in teams to sort case files and reach a class verdict
Read each learning target aloud. Invite students to nod or raise a hand when they understand each one.
What Is Honesty?
Honesty means telling the truth, even when it’s hard.
• You share accurate information.
• You don’t hide mistakes or change facts.
Explain the meaning of honesty and emphasize truth-telling. Ask for a student example (e.g., admitting to spilling paint).
What Is Integrity?
Integrity means doing the right thing, even when no one is watching.
• Acting on your values.
• Making good choices without reward or applause.
Describe integrity and contrast with honesty. Emphasize doing the right thing when no one is watching. Ask for a quick example.
What Is Reliability?
Reliability means consistently keeping promises and meeting expectations.
• You can be counted on.
• You follow through on commitments.
Explain reliability as consistent follow-through. Invite students to think of someone reliable (e.g., the bus driver, a friend who always helps).
Sample Case Files
- Maya returned a library book she borrowed, even though the due date was yesterday.
- Josh found a lost iPad in the hallway and put it in the office instead of keeping it.
- Sara tells her friend true reasons when she can’t come to play.
Present these sample case files. Have students read quietly or in pairs. Emphasize evidence-based sorting.
Case File Sort Activity
• In groups of 3–4, read each Case File Card.
• Sort cards into: Honesty, Integrity, Reliability
• Discuss: Why did you choose this category?
Use your detective notebooks for notes.
Explain the upcoming group work with Case File Cards. Assign groups and distribute cards.
Class Verdict Poll
• Each group shares one card and category choice.
• Class votes: 👍 if you agree, 👎 if you want to discuss more.
• Highlight any disagreements and clarify definitions.
After groups share, lead a quick thumbs-up/down poll on each example’s category. Encourage respectful debate.
Summary & Congratulations
Today you learned to:
• Tell the truth (Honesty)
• Do right even when unseen (Integrity)
• Keep your promises (Reliability)
Great job, Integrity Detectives!
Wrap up by reinforcing the three traits and celebrating detective work. Encourage students to practice these traits at home and school.
Script
Investigation Briefing Script
Teacher (in a dramatic, intrigued tone):
“Detectives… gather around.
Your mission awaits.
A wave of mysterious actions has swept our school.
Hidden among us are clues about how people behave when no one’s watching, when promises are kept, and when the truth must be told.
Today, you become Integrity Detectives.
Your case files hold stories—some small, some big.
Each one reveals a choice: honesty, integrity, or reliability.
Open your detective notebooks.
Sharpen your pencils.
Trust your teammates.
Read every case file.
Uncover the evidence.
Sort each scenario into the right category.
Remember, detectives:
• Honesty is telling the truth, even when it’s hard.
• Integrity is doing the right thing, even when nobody’s watching.
• Reliability is keeping your word, every single time.
Work quickly, work carefully, and record your reasoning.
At the end, we’ll gather for the Class Verdict Poll.
Together, we’ll reveal which traits shine brightest.
Detectives… are you ready?
Then let the Integrity Investigation begin!”
Game
Case File Cards
Below are 12 scenario cards for the Integrity Investigation. Cut these into individual cards and distribute one set per group.
- Maya returned a library book she borrowed, even though the due date was yesterday.
- Josh found a lost iPad in the hallway and put it in the office instead of keeping it.
- Sara tells her friend true reasons when she can’t come to play.
- Alex admitted to the teacher that he left his homework at home.
- Emily practiced her lines every day for the school play because she promised her friend she'd help him learn his lines.
- Ben noticed an extra pencil on the floor and picked it up instead of ignoring it.
- Chloe tells her parents exactly how she spent her allowance money.
- Daniel always arrives early to soccer practice to set up the cones.
- Fernando saw his neighbor struggling to carry groceries and stopped to help, even though no one asked him.
- Grace apologized honestly for accidentally stepping on her friend's drawing.
- Hannah remembered to feed her classroom fish on the weekend, just like she said she would.
- Ian found a $5 bill on the playground and turned it in to lost and found.