Speak Up Lesson Plan Tattling vs. Telling
Knowing When to Speak Up
Grade Level: 7th Grade
Lesson Plan
Objective
Students will learn to differentiate between tattling and telling, enabling them to make thoughtful, responsible decisions about reporting issues in their school community.
Approach
Interactive discussion, role-play activity, competitive game, and visual summary.
Why This Lesson Matters
This lesson promotes a supportive and safe school environment by helping students understand when to speak up responsibly. It reduces peer conflict and empowers students to look out for one another's safety rather than seeking social advantage.
Preparation
Review all provided guides and game scenarios.
Familiarize yourself with discussion prompts.
Ensure the video and slide deck are ready to display.
Time estimate: 10 minutes prep / 30 minutes delivery.
Materials Included
Discussion Guide: Recognizing the Difference
Interactive Activity: When to Speak Up
Game: Tattle or Tell?
Video Slide & Presentation Deck
Instructional Sequence
Time Section Action & Key Points 5 Mins Introduction Explain the goal: learning when to report issues vs. when to handle them. Outline clear objectives. 8 Mins Guided Discussion Use the Discussion Guide. Focus on intent (harm vs. help) and safety . Relate to real middle school scenarios. 7 Mins Activity Small group role-play. Students analyze scenarios (supply theft, teasing, exclusion) and decide: Tattle or Tell? 5 Mins Game Rapid-fire quiz format. Award points for correct categorization and thoughtful explanations of reasoning. 5 Mins Video & Wrap-Up Play the visual summary. Recap key points: Is it about getting someone in trouble or out of trouble?
Recognizing the Difference Discussion Guide Recognizing the Difference
Teacher's Discussion Guide
Introduction
"Welcome, everyone! Today we're exploring a critical skill for 7th grade: knowing when to speak up about something and when it might just be 'tattling.' Our goal is to build a safer, more supportive community together."
1
Defining Tattling
Main Question:
"What does tattling mean to you? Can someone give an example?"
Follow-up:
"Why might someone tattle instead of telling? What are they hoping to achieve? (Goal: Identify that tattling is often about getting someone in trouble or seeking attention.)"
2
Defining Telling (Reporting)
Main Question:
"How would you define telling or reporting a problem versus tattling?"
Follow-up:
"How can telling have a positive impact on our classroom or school community? (Goal: Realize telling is about getting someone out of trouble or keeping others safe.)"
3
Intentions and Consequences
Main Question:
"Why do you think intention matters when deciding whether to tattle or tell?"
Follow-up:
"What might happen if we choose to tattle instead of telling? How does it affect relationships? (Goal: Discuss trust and social dynamics.)"
4
Reflection and Safety
Main Question:
"Imagine you notice a friend breaking a rule that might affect others. What would you do?"
Safety Check:
"Have you ever been in a situation where you weren’t sure if you should speak up? (Goal: Normalize the difficulty of the choice.)"
Guidelines for a Positive Discussion
Respect: Listen to ideas different from your own.
Confidentiality: Share only what you are comfortable with.
Clarification: Ask questions if scenarios feel unclear.
Empathy: Think about how you’d feel in their situation.
Wrap-Up
Summarize: Tattling = Hurt/Control. Telling = Help/Safety.
Encourage daily application.
Open the floor for final questions.
When to Speak Up Activity When to Speak Up
Interactive Analysis & Role-Play
Name:
Date:
Activity Overview
In your small groups, you will analyze a specific situation. Your goal is to determine if speaking up is "Telling" (helping someone/staying safe) or "Tattling" (getting someone in trouble).
The Scenarios
Scenario A
A classmate is repeatedly taking extra supplies from the cabinet without asking, even when told not to.
Scenario B
A friend is being intentionally excluded from a group project in a way that seems very unfair and hurtful.
Scenario C
A classmate is teasing someone about their clothes. It's happening daily and the person looks really upset.
Part 1: Analysis
My Group's Assigned Scenario:
What is the intention behind sharing this information? (Is it to help or to hurt?)
Who is affected by this situation if nobody speaks up?
Is this "Tattling" (getting someone in trouble) or "Telling" (keeping things safe/fair)? Why?
Part 2: Role-Play Plan
Briefly outline how a bystander should respond to this situation. Who should they talk to? What should they say?
Roles in our group:
Role 1: _____________________
Role 2: _____________________
Role 3: _____________________
Be ready to present your 60-second role-play to the class!
Follow-Up Questions
What challenges did you face when deciding on your role-play response?
If you were in that situation for real, what might you do differently?
Tattle or Tell Game Sheet Tattle or Tell?
The Rapid-Fire Class Game
Setup
Divide class into teams of 3-4. Give each team a whiteboard or paper to write "TATTLE" or "TELL".
Gameplay
Read a scenario. Teams have 30 seconds to discuss and write their choice. Reveal on your signal!
Scoring
1 point for correct choice. 1 bonus point for a logical explanation of intent (Why did they share?).
Game Scenario Cards Teacher Reference
Card 1 Tell
You see a peer being excluded from a group project in a way that is intentionally mean and unfair.
Reasoning: Intent is to ensure fairness and prevent emotional harm.
Card 2 Tattle
A student hears a friend whispering about another classmate's tiny mistake just to get them in trouble.
Reasoning: Intent is purely to cause trouble or damage reputation.
Card 3 Tell
You notice a classmate repeatedly taking supplies from the art cabinet without asking after being warned.
Reasoning: Intent is to protect shared resources and maintain school rules.
Card 4 Tattle
You report that a classmate hasn't finished their homework, hoping the teacher will take points off.
Reasoning: Intent is to get someone in trouble for personal satisfaction.
Official Scoreboard
Team 1
--
Team 2
--
Team 3
--
Team 4
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Remember: The goal is help, not harm.
Rapid Thinking Decision Making
Speak Up Slides Speak Up
Tattling vs. Telling
Knowing when it counts
Learning Goals
Define the difference between tattling and telling .
Analyze the intent behind sharing information.
Make responsible decisions to keep our school safe and fair .
What is Tattling?
The Goal:
To get someone IN trouble.
The Result:
Damages trust and relationships.
Intent
HURT
What is Telling?
The Goal:
To get someone OUT of trouble (or danger).
The Result:
Protects safety, fairness, and the community.
Intent
HELP
The Quick Check
Ask yourself these 3 questions
Am I trying to get them HELP or get them in TROUBLE?
Is someone's safety or fairness at risk?
Is this something I can ignore or handle myself?
Video: Telling vs. Tattling
Visual Recap
Video Embed Placeholder
Add YouTube Link Here
"Speaking up isn't about bringing someone down; it's about lifting the whole community up."
Make the right choice. Be a helper.
