LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate potential reasons for and against telling white lies.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 4: Use interpersonal communication skills.

CASEL: Relationship skills, responsible decision-making

Lesson Plan: Is It Ever OK to Lie?

Is it OK to tell a little white lie if it’ll protect someone’s feelings?

PREPARING TO READ

Before you read the debate “Is It Ever OK to Lie?” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are the pros and cons of telling occasional white lies?

READING AND DISCUSSION

  • Have your students read the debate “Is It Ever OK to Lie?” independently; read the debate out loud to them; or have one student read one side of the debate and another student read the other side.
  • After they’ve read the debate, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed?

BUILDING COMPREHENSION

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Comprehension Quiz

EXPANDING SEL OPPORTUNITIES

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity:

In GETTING HONEST ABOUT LIES, have students write a two- to three-page guided journal entry using a series of prompts to promote critical thinking about the debate topic. Tell them not to worry too much about the structure of their writing, but encourage them to include anecdotes (short, true stories) and as many unique details as possible to support their thinking. Then, have them take a side in the debate. If there is time, invite students to share their opinions in a whole-class or small-group discussion.

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