Classroom Guidance Activity

·         Overview of activity- Children tattle for many reasons. For the very young student the ability to problem solve hasn’t developed yet and they must ask for assistance from adults.  Children have to be taught the difference between tattling and informing for someone’s safety. This lesson plan has been used  successfully three times.

·         Purpose- To teach children when and how to properly inform adults when someone is in danger

·         Intervention Level: Prevention

·         Age group / grade- Preschool through 2^nd grade ages 4 to 8

·         Materials needed-

Don't Squeal Unless It's a Big Deal: A Tale of Tattletales

By Jeanie Franz Ransom

ISBN: 978-1-59147-239-1

Publication Date: August 2005

Activity- Read book answering questions after reading-10 minutes

Pass out card stock. Have students write a capitol T on one side and an I on the other. Read out loud examples of either an example of tattling (Billy stuck his finger in my ear) or examples of informing (Billy stuck his finger in the pencil sharpener and is bleeding) and have the students hold up either the T or the I side. Time: 20 minutes

·         Follow-up activities with the class- At the next lesson have several students recall examples of either tattling or informing.

·         Alternate lesson plan-   Using the book, A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, read the book aloud and then explains to the children they are going to play a “baseball style” game. Designate the bases for the children to walk around and then form two teams. Each student is given an example of either tattling or informing and if correct they advance to the next base, but if incorrect they must take their seats. Since the point is to teach a lesson, “outs” aren’t counted but “home runs” determine a winner. This game actually serves two purposes. It reinforces good sportsmanship skills and helps the students learn the difference between tattling and informing.

Materials:

·         A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue

·         ISBN-10: 0974778982

A Magic Wand:  If I had a magic wand and could change one thing, I would change the fact that in most schools, counselors are not only counselors but assistant principals as well and part of their jobs is to be the disciplinarian. In an ideal situation there would be a distinct difference in the job descriptions. If I found myself in the position of having to do both jobs I would work to convince the principal to hire an assistant principal, daily stressing the importance of keeping the jobs separate. I think eventually she would see things my way, if only to get me to shut up and leave her alone.