Honesty
Theme: White Lies Film: Liar Liar (PG-13) 2:09
A young son makes a birthday wish that his father, a chronic liar, must tell the truth for twenty-four hours. Thanks to a bit of magic, his wish comes true. When his father arrives at work the next morning, he greets his fellow employees as usual, only this time he is brutally honest in his opinions of them. It does not take long before this liar-turned-truth-teller finds himself begging his son to take back the wish! This 1997 film from MCA/Universal Pictures is directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur. It is produced by Brian Grazer and stars Jim Carrey, Justin Cooper and Maura Tierney.
Teaser Question: Are “white lies” okay? Why? Why not?
Going Deeper: With which character do you relate? Have you told a lie to save someone you know from being hurt by the truth?
Making Choices: You have promised your parents you won’t do drugs, but today your friend pressures you into smoking marijuana. What do you tell her?
“Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure.” —Joseph Sugarman
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" —Sir Walter Scott
A young son makes a birthday wish that his father, a chronic liar, must tell the truth for twenty-four hours. Thanks to a bit of magic, his wish comes true. When his father arrives at work the next morning, he greets his fellow employees as usual, only this time he is brutally honest in his opinions of them. It does not take long before this liar-turned-truth-teller finds himself begging his son to take back the wish! This 1997 film from MCA/Universal Pictures is directed by Tom Shadyac and written by Paul Guay and Stephen Mazur. It is produced by Brian Grazer and stars Jim Carrey, Justin Cooper and Maura Tierney.
Teaser Question: Are “white lies” okay? Why? Why not?
Going Deeper: With which character do you relate? Have you told a lie to save someone you know from being hurt by the truth?
Making Choices: You have promised your parents you won’t do drugs, but today your friend pressures you into smoking marijuana. What do you tell her?
“Each time you are honest and conduct yourself with honesty, a success force will drive you toward greater success. Each time you lie, even with a little white lie, there are strong forces pushing you toward failure.” —Joseph Sugarman
“Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive!" —Sir Walter Scott
Theme: Winning at All Costs Film: Cool Runnings (PG) 0:57
The tropical island of Jamaica is hardly the place from which you would expect a Winter Olympics bobsled team to come; yet in this inspiring movie based on a true story, four athletes defy the odds to reach for the gold medal. They quickly learn that it takes more than desire or willpower to become world-class bobsledders; it takes a coach. More precisely, it takes an angry former Olympic bobsled coach - one with a dark secret. Years before, he had cheated. The question is “Why?” This 1993 film from Walt Disney Pictures is directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Lynn Siefert, Michael Ritchie, Tommy Swerdlow and Michael Goldberg. It is produced by Dawn Steel and stars Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy. Teaser Question: Is it okay to cheat or lie to reach a goal?
Going Deeper: Are the successful people you know truthful people? Are they people who keep their promises?
Making Choices: You have just made friends with the most popular kid at school. She asks you for the answers to a geometry quiz. What do you do?
“What is left when honor is lost.” —Publilius Syrus
“There are no short cuts to any place worth going.” —Beverly Sills
The tropical island of Jamaica is hardly the place from which you would expect a Winter Olympics bobsled team to come; yet in this inspiring movie based on a true story, four athletes defy the odds to reach for the gold medal. They quickly learn that it takes more than desire or willpower to become world-class bobsledders; it takes a coach. More precisely, it takes an angry former Olympic bobsled coach - one with a dark secret. Years before, he had cheated. The question is “Why?” This 1993 film from Walt Disney Pictures is directed by Jon Turteltaub and written by Lynn Siefert, Michael Ritchie, Tommy Swerdlow and Michael Goldberg. It is produced by Dawn Steel and stars Leon, Doug E. Doug, Rawle D. Lewis, Malik Yoba and John Candy. Teaser Question: Is it okay to cheat or lie to reach a goal?
Going Deeper: Are the successful people you know truthful people? Are they people who keep their promises?
Making Choices: You have just made friends with the most popular kid at school. She asks you for the answers to a geometry quiz. What do you do?
“What is left when honor is lost.” —Publilius Syrus
“There are no short cuts to any place worth going.” —Beverly Sills
Theme: Hiding in Fear Film: Shrek (PG) 2:56
From the very start, it is clear that this is not the familiar fairy tale of old! Shrek is an ogre, not a handsome knight. A talking donkey, not a noble steed, accompanies him. He is on a quest to rescue a princess, but only because he has made a deal with a despicable Lord Farquaad. Even so, as in all great fairy tales, amidst dangers and death-defying adventures, Shrek and Princess Fiona begin to fall in love. But the princess has a secret, one that she chooses to hide at all costs rather than tell Shrek the truth.
This 2001 film from DreamWorks SKG is directed by Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson and Scott Marshall and written by William Steig. Ted Elliott, Terry Rosso, Joe Stillman, Roger S.H. Schulman and Ken Harsha. It is produced by Jeffrey Katzenburg, Aron Warner and John H. Williams and stars the vioce talend of Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow.
Teaser Question: Why are we afraid at times to be truthful?
Going Deeper: Have you ever had something go wrong because you were afraid to tell the truth?
Making Choices: Your best friend is abused at home. She tells you not to let anyone know or she will never be your friend again. What is the best way to handle this? Keep her secret? Wait and see what happens? Talk to an adult you trust? If so, who would you tell and why?
“When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. we all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation -- it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams.” —Les Brown
“You weren't an accident, You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifcally gifted, and lovingly positioned on the Earth by the Master Craftsman" —Max Lucado
From the very start, it is clear that this is not the familiar fairy tale of old! Shrek is an ogre, not a handsome knight. A talking donkey, not a noble steed, accompanies him. He is on a quest to rescue a princess, but only because he has made a deal with a despicable Lord Farquaad. Even so, as in all great fairy tales, amidst dangers and death-defying adventures, Shrek and Princess Fiona begin to fall in love. But the princess has a secret, one that she chooses to hide at all costs rather than tell Shrek the truth.
This 2001 film from DreamWorks SKG is directed by Andrew Adamson, Vicky Jenson and Scott Marshall and written by William Steig. Ted Elliott, Terry Rosso, Joe Stillman, Roger S.H. Schulman and Ken Harsha. It is produced by Jeffrey Katzenburg, Aron Warner and John H. Williams and stars the vioce talend of Mike Meyers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz and John Lithgow.
Teaser Question: Why are we afraid at times to be truthful?
Going Deeper: Have you ever had something go wrong because you were afraid to tell the truth?
Making Choices: Your best friend is abused at home. She tells you not to let anyone know or she will never be your friend again. What is the best way to handle this? Keep her secret? Wait and see what happens? Talk to an adult you trust? If so, who would you tell and why?
“When you face your fear, most of the time you will discover that it was not really such a big threat after all. we all need some form of deeply rooted, powerful motivation -- it empowers us to overcome obstacles so we can live our dreams.” —Les Brown
“You weren't an accident, You weren't mass produced. You aren't an assembly-line product. You were deliberately planned, specifcally gifted, and lovingly positioned on the Earth by the Master Craftsman" —Max Lucado
Theme: Gaining Credibility Film: Big Fat Liar (PG) 2:07
We all know the story. You don't have your homework because your dog ate it. Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz) can spin a tall tale the likes of which are rarely seen on planet Earth. His penchant for telling a lie to get out of a hole gets him in big trouble with those who want to trust a boy who hasn't yet figured out that honesty is the best policy.
This 2002 film from Universal Pictures is directed by Shawn Levy and written by Dan Schneider and Brian Robbins. It is produced by Marie Cantin, Michael Goldman, Brian Robbins and Michael Tollin and stars Paul Giamatti, Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes, Michael Bryan French and Christine Tucci.
Teaser Question: How can you earn the trust of others?
Going Deeper: How can a person who has a history of lying regain the trust of others? Have you ever been caught lying and not known how to break the pattern? Who could you talk to about this?
Making Choices: You witness a friend telling lies to his//her parents and teacher. What do you do?
A friend who usually tells the truth tells you a story that is so incredible it is hard to believe. Another friend who often lies tells another version of the story which seems more normal and credible. Who do you believe? Why?
“It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place” —H.L. Mencken
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." —George Orwell
Theme: Gaining Credibility Film: Big Fat Liar (PG) 2:07
We all know the story. You don't have your homework because your dog ate it. Jason Shepherd (Frankie Muniz) can spin a tall tale the likes of which are rarely seen on planet Earth. His penchant for telling a lie to get out of a hole gets him in big trouble with those who want to trust a boy who hasn't yet figured out that honesty is the best policy.
This 2002 film from Universal Pictures is directed by Shawn Levy and written by Dan Schneider and Brian Robbins. It is produced by Marie Cantin, Michael Goldman, Brian Robbins and Michael Tollin and stars Paul Giamatti, Frankie Muniz, Amanda Bynes, Michael Bryan French and Christine Tucci.
Teaser Question: How can you earn the trust of others?
Going Deeper: How can a person who has a history of lying regain the trust of others? Have you ever been caught lying and not known how to break the pattern? Who could you talk to about this?
Making Choices: You witness a friend telling lies to his//her parents and teacher. What do you do?
A friend who usually tells the truth tells you a story that is so incredible it is hard to believe. Another friend who often lies tells another version of the story which seems more normal and credible. Who do you believe? Why?
“It is hard to believe that a man is telling the truth when you know that you would lie if you were in his place” —H.L. Mencken
“During times of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." —George Orwell
Moving Students to Reflection and Action:
Keeping a journal: As an in class activity, have your students write two entries in their journal under the heading of "honesty" answering the following question:
1. Of all the examples of honesty demonstrated in the clips, which was your favorite? Why?
2. As we grow sometimes we are able to be more honest about our experiences, particularly very painful ones. Is there a story you’re not being honest about to yourself or others? What are you afraid will happen if you tell the truth?
3. What is the most common reason for you to be dishonest? What do you think this means for you?
4. Write about a time in your life when it worked best for you to be honest.
5. Tell of a time when lying got you in trouble.
Activity 1: The "Truth" Game
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
None
Teacher Instructions:
Ask the students to think of three "facts to tell about themselves. two of which are true and one of which is false. Move students into triads to complete the game. Without telling anyone which "fact" about them is true, each student states each of the "facts" to the other members of the group. the other two members of the group guess which item is false. Play proceeds unitl each member of the triad has shared his/her three statements and the real truths have been revealed. Lead a whole group discussion regarding how it felt to tell a lie and how it felt to be deceived.
Activity 2: "Is it Ever Okay to Lie?"
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil
Teacher Instructions:
Divide the students into groups of three to discuss the pros and cons of always telling the truth. Instruct the groups to come up with situations in which they feel it is best not to tell the truth. After about five minutes, write down the ideas from the groups on the board. Pick one situation and assign half of the triads to defend lying in that situation while the other half of the triads comes up with ideas against lying in that situation. After a short time, take the triads' arguments both for and against lying and lead the whole class in a discussion.
Activity 3: "Dictionary"
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil
Teacher Instructions:
Before the activity, pick a word (or two) out of the dictionary that will not be known by the students and write it on a piece of paper. Divide the class into four groups. Write the word on the board and ask if anyone knows what the word means. If someone knows the word, he/she should use an alternate word. If no one knows the word, instruct the four groups to make up a definition for the word that sounds reasonable and write down the definition. Tell the class they will be voting on which definition they think is true. Read the definitions, including the true one, and let the students vote. Remind the students to work quietly so others cannot hear their definition. This game can be repeated with as many words as you have time for.
Lead a large group discussion using the following questions.
1. How were you able to detect the false definitions?
2. How can you tell someone is lying? What made the best "false" definitions?
3. Why is it sometimes hard to tell if someone is lying?
Activity 4: Role Play
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil, props for skits
Teacher Instructions:
Divide the class into groups of five students. Instruct the groups to come up with a situation where "honesty is the best policy" and develop a short role play or "skit" to demonstrate honesty. Each group presents their skit to the whole class. After all the role plays have been performed, lead a whole class discussion on the ideas contained in the skits regarding honesty.
1. Of all the examples of honesty demonstrated in the clips, which was your favorite? Why?
2. As we grow sometimes we are able to be more honest about our experiences, particularly very painful ones. Is there a story you’re not being honest about to yourself or others? What are you afraid will happen if you tell the truth?
3. What is the most common reason for you to be dishonest? What do you think this means for you?
4. Write about a time in your life when it worked best for you to be honest.
5. Tell of a time when lying got you in trouble.
Activity 1: The "Truth" Game
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
None
Teacher Instructions:
Ask the students to think of three "facts to tell about themselves. two of which are true and one of which is false. Move students into triads to complete the game. Without telling anyone which "fact" about them is true, each student states each of the "facts" to the other members of the group. the other two members of the group guess which item is false. Play proceeds unitl each member of the triad has shared his/her three statements and the real truths have been revealed. Lead a whole group discussion regarding how it felt to tell a lie and how it felt to be deceived.
Activity 2: "Is it Ever Okay to Lie?"
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil
Teacher Instructions:
Divide the students into groups of three to discuss the pros and cons of always telling the truth. Instruct the groups to come up with situations in which they feel it is best not to tell the truth. After about five minutes, write down the ideas from the groups on the board. Pick one situation and assign half of the triads to defend lying in that situation while the other half of the triads comes up with ideas against lying in that situation. After a short time, take the triads' arguments both for and against lying and lead the whole class in a discussion.
Activity 3: "Dictionary"
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil
Teacher Instructions:
Before the activity, pick a word (or two) out of the dictionary that will not be known by the students and write it on a piece of paper. Divide the class into four groups. Write the word on the board and ask if anyone knows what the word means. If someone knows the word, he/she should use an alternate word. If no one knows the word, instruct the four groups to make up a definition for the word that sounds reasonable and write down the definition. Tell the class they will be voting on which definition they think is true. Read the definitions, including the true one, and let the students vote. Remind the students to work quietly so others cannot hear their definition. This game can be repeated with as many words as you have time for.
Lead a large group discussion using the following questions.
1. How were you able to detect the false definitions?
2. How can you tell someone is lying? What made the best "false" definitions?
3. Why is it sometimes hard to tell if someone is lying?
Activity 4: Role Play
Performance Objective:
The learner will be able to express his/her own opinion on a topic through written or oral expression.
Materials Needed:
Paper, pencil, props for skits
Teacher Instructions:
Divide the class into groups of five students. Instruct the groups to come up with a situation where "honesty is the best policy" and develop a short role play or "skit" to demonstrate honesty. Each group presents their skit to the whole class. After all the role plays have been performed, lead a whole class discussion on the ideas contained in the skits regarding honesty.