💛 SELLevel 1Lesson 20
← Back🔒 PDF with full access

Telling the Truth

Lesson preview: the Mini Lesson and Vocabulary are open to everyone. Guided practice, exercises, the parent checklist and the printable PDF worksheet come with full access (free 7-day trial or membership).

Learning Objectives

  • 1Tell the difference between honest and dishonest choices
  • 2Sort examples into the correct group
  • 3Explain that telling the truth helps people trust me and fix problems
📘

Mini Lesson

Telling the truth means saying what really happened. It can feel brave, especially after a mistake, but honest words help people trust you and help problems get fixed.

What is the truth?

  • The truth is what is real and what really happened.
  • An honest choice uses true words.
  • A dishonest choice hides the truth, changes it, or blames someone else.

Why does telling the truth matter?

  • Truth helps people trust you.
  • Truth helps grown-ups understand what happened so they can help.
  • Truth helps fix mistakes instead of making the problem bigger.

What can dishonesty look like?

  • Saying "Not me" when you did it.
  • Blaming another person for your choice.
  • Saying a job is done when it is not.

What if I made a mistake?

  • Stop and take a breath.
  • Say what really happened.
  • Help fix the problem if you can.
A child honestly tells what happened after spilling paintA child stands beside spilled paint and tells a grown-up, I spilled it. A green check mark shows honesty.I spilled it.Truth helps fix problems.
Honest words tell what really happened, even after a mistake.
Honest choice and dishonest choice side by sideOne side shows a green box with the words I broke it. The other side shows a red box with the words Not me when the child really did it.HonestDishonestI broke it.Not me.Truth builds trust. Lies break trust.
Honest choices use true words. Dishonest choices hide or change the truth.
💡

Ask yourself: "Am I saying what really happened?

Vocabulary
Truth
Words that tell what really happenede.g. I tell the truth even when it is hard.
Honest
Telling the truthe.g. It is honest to admit my mistake.
Dishonest
Saying something that is not truee.g. Saying "Not me" when I did it is dishonest.
Trust
When people believe you because you are honeste.g. My friends trust me because I am honest.
Brave
Doing the right thing even when it is harde.g. It was brave to say what really happened.
Free · 7 days · No credit card

Unlock the full HSEA system for 7 days.

Add your first kid profile and your 7 days start: every lesson in every grade, saved progress for each child. Nothing to set up, no card required, nothing to cancel.

  • ✓ All 1,680 lessons, Grades 1–6, every subject
  • ✓ Profiles + saved progress for every kid
  • ✓ Printable lessons with answer key
Start your 7-day free trial →
← Lesson 19: Following RulesLesson 21: Being Responsible →