FIRST WEEK OF DECEMBER

HONEST: Truthful, fair, trustworthy

Vs. Untruthful, dishonest

  • SUGGESTED READING:
    The Adventures of Obadiah
    I Know You Cheated
    The Truthful Ham
    On My Honor
    Let's Talk About Cheating
    The Story of George Washington and the Cherry Tree
    Ephesians 4:25
  • SUGGESTED MOVIES:
    Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
    Forrest Gump

FAMILY ACTIVITY:

  • Talk to your children about why it is wrong to cheat on schoolwork. Set a good example for your children by taking responsibility for your own actions. Talk to your children about taking responsibility for their own actions. When your child admits that they have done something bad, thank them for telling the truth. Tell them that while you are upset with them for what they did, you are proud of them for their honesty. After their punishment is over, thank them for telling the truth and reinforce how proud you are of them. Encourage your children to be honest with you about their opinions. They will say things that anger you, but do not punish them for being honest. If their opinions are inappropriate, talk to them about it and explain to them why they are mistaken. There are times when it is inappropriate, or even dangerous for children to be completely honest. Talk to your children about when those times are and how they should deal with them. Help them to understand the difference between being a liar and protecting themselves from danger.

CLASS ACTIVITY:

  • Discuss the importance of honesty in schoolwork. Try to help your students to understand that you assign them work so that they will acquire new knowledge and learn new skills. If they do not do the work then they are not learning the skills and acquiring the knowledge that will greatly benefit their future.
  • Have students write and perform skits about someone trying to avoid punishment by lying and getting into more trouble because of it.
  • Talk about how important honesty is to friendship. Would anybody want friends who lie to them?

HIGH SCHOOL ACTIVITY:

  • Discuss whether or not students believe that their leaders are honest. Why would people in positions of authority lie? Are there ever times when leaders should lie?
  • How often do people lie? Is it possible for a society to function without lies? When is it harmful to tell the truth?
  • Discuss the importance of academic honesty, especially in properly crediting sources. Do not just use the threat of punishment for plagiarism to deter students, but also explain to them why we have these rules. Explain that writing a book is hard work and that people deserve to be recognized for the work they have done.

"I would give no thought of what the world might say of me; if I could only transmit to posterity the reputation of an honest man." -Sam Houston, President of and then Governor of Texas

"Figures don't lie, but liars can figure." -Mark Twain

"My word is my bond." -Gentleman's pledge

"Make yourself an honest man, and then you may be sure there is one less rascal in the world." -Thomas Carlyle

"Honesty pays, but it don't seem to pay enough to suit some people." -Kin Hubbard

"Hope of ill gain is the beginning of loss." -Democritus

"An honest politician is as common as a blue rose." -William Foote

"Honesty is the core of honor, and the single most important qualification of a leader." -The Duke of Wellington, British General and Prime Minister

Perform a Random Act of Kindness Each Day

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