Honesty & Integrity Small Group Counseling Curriculum | Character Education

Help students understand the importance of honesty and building trust in their relationships with this engaging 6-Week Honesty Small Group Curriculum! This low-prep school counseling group helps students explore why people lie, recognize the consequences of dishonesty, understand how lying can impact trust, and practice communicating honestly—even in difficult situations. This research-based, data-driven small group includes detailed session outlines, ASCA-aligned objectives, pre- and post-group self-assessments, and six weeks of engaging games and activities designed to make running a Tier 2 counseling group simple and effective. Students will learn how to: ⭐ Understand the importance of honesty ⭐ Recognize the difference between honesty and dishonesty ⭐ Explore common motives for lying ⭐ Identify the consequences of dishonesty ⭐ Understand how lying can impact trust ⭐ Practice replacing lies with truthful statements ⭐ Practice telling the truth in difficult situations ⭐ Build communication skills for initiating tough conversations This resource includes: ✔ 6 weeks of engaging games and activities ✔ Detailed session outlines with ASCA-aligned objectives ✔ Pre- and post-group self-assessments for data collection ✔ Group Rules and Feelings Check posters ✔ Tangled Web movement-based icebreaker ✔ Tower of Trust game ✔ Spot the Lie scavenger hunt ✔ Truth or Tale movement activity ✔ Why Lie? matching game with 18 cards ✔ Truthful replacement statement activity ✔ Lies & Consequences flip book ✔ Scenario cards for practicing truthful responses ✔ Make-your-own dice game ✔ Brave Beginnings activity for practicing tough conversations ✔ Truth Acronym reflection activity 6-Week Group Outline: Week 1: Honesty Introduction Students participate in movement-based activities, including a Tangled Web icebreaker and Tower of Trust game, while discussing the foundation of honesty. Week 2: Defining Dishonesty Students go on a Spot the Lie scavenger hunt to search for different signs of dishonesty and participate in a movement-based activity where they stand up when they hear a lie. Week 3: Lying Motives Students play a matching game to explore different motives for lying, then practice replacing lies with truthful statements. Week 4: Consequences of Lying Students create a Lies & Consequences flip book to explore and review potential consequences of dishonesty. Week 5: Practicing the Truth Students work through different scenarios and practice how they could respond honestly. They’ll also roll a die to discuss related feelings. Week 6: Reflect and Practice Students use the Brave Beginnings activity to practice initiating tough conversations and complete a Truth Acronym to reflect on what truth means to them. Research-Based & Standards-Aligned: This honesty small group is aligned with ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors, including effective communication and listening skills and positive, respectful, supportive relationships. It also aligns with the CASEL Self-Awareness competency, including identifying emotions and demonstrating honesty and integrity. Why You'll Love This Group: ⭐ Low prep and easy to implement ⭐ Simply print and use ⭐ Clear instructions for each session ⭐ Built-in data collection helps you measure student growth ⭐ Engaging games, movement activities, scavenger hunts, crafts, and discussion ⭐ Research-based and ASCA aligned ⭐ Reuse the curriculum with future groups ⭐ Everything you need to run a structured honesty small group with ease Whether you're supporting students who struggle with telling the truth or helping students understand how honesty builds trust, this 6-week honesty counseling group gives students engaging, practical opportunities to explore honesty, dishonesty, consequences, trust, and truthful communication.