Purpose:

■ To illustrate how easy it is to forget the difference between right and wrong when you

repeatedly lie.

Description:

Students are asked to remember the first time they lied. As they describe how it felt the first time

they lied we begin to explore how much easier it became to lie the second, third and fourth time.

Using a piece of paper with the word "conscience" written on it, we demonstrate what happens

when someone lies repeatedly by cutting the paper in half again and again, until virtually nothing

is left. This demonstrates how continual lying can eventually sever your conscience. And, without

a conscience you no longer can tell the difference between right and wrong. The children then

draw a picture in their workbook of the last time that they lied or write a sentence describing an

example of a lie.

Outcomes:

■ Children learn the importance of have a good conscience that tells them the difference

between right and wrong.

■ Children learn that by lying they lose their ability to make good choices.

■ Children are motivated to be honest and truthful.

Having a Conscience—

“Every time you lie your conscience

becomes smaller and smaller until you no longer know the difference

between right and wrong and you can’t make good choices.”

Conscience

How it feels to tell the truth