Truth Squad Guide Truth Squad Guide
Tattling vs. Reporting • 4-Day Mini-Unit
Official Dossier
Mission Goal
To empower students to distinguish between tattling (trying to get someone IN trouble) and reporting (trying to get someone OUT of trouble/keeping them safe).
Gear Needed
Truth Squad Slides (Days 1-4)
Situation Sort Cards (Day 1)
Problem Shield Worksheets (Day 2)
Reporting Radio Prompt Cards (Day 3)
Official Badges (Day 4)
Day 1: Mission Identification
Focus: Definitions & Intent
0:00 - 0:05
Briefing: Use Lesson 1 Slides. Define Tattling (Selfish) vs. Reporting (Safety). Key phrase: "In trouble vs. Out of trouble."
0:05 - 0:15
Game: The Situation Sort.
Day 2: Problem Power
Focus: Big Problems vs. Small Problems
0:00 - 0:05
Briefing: Use Lesson 2 Slides. Define "Big Problems" (Dangerous, Destructive, Illegal, Hurtful) and "Small Problems" (Annoying, Mistakes, Accidents).
0:05 - 0:15
Action: Shield Your Squad.
Day 3: Signal Strength
Focus: How to Report (Communication Skills)
0:00 - 0:05
Briefing: Use Lesson 3 Slides. The "WHO" and the "WHAT". Reporting should be factual and calm. Avoid adding "drama."
0:05 - 0:15
Game: Radio Check.
Day 4: Squad Graduation
Focus: Review & Celebration
0:00 - 0:10
Review: Truth Squad Trivia.
0:10 - 0:15
Graduation:
Lead Investigator Tips
Wait for it: When a student tattles this week, ask: "Are you trying to get them IN trouble or OUT of trouble?"The "Self-Check": Encourage students to ask themselves: "Is this a Big Problem or a Small Problem?" before coming to you.Model it: Use puppets or roleplay to show the difference in tone between whiny tattling and serious reporting. Mission Discovery Slides Confidential Mission
MISSION:
IDENTIFICATION
Are you ready to join the Truth Squad?
The Goal
"A Truth Squad Agent knows the difference between helping the community and hurting a friend."
Tattling
Goal: To get someone IN trouble.
It's about a Small Problem .
Can be solved with your "Super-Self."
Example
"Teacher! Sam is making a silly face at me!"
Example
"Teacher, Sam fell on the playground and is crying."
Reporting
Goal: To get someone OUT of trouble.
It's about a Big Problem (Safety).
You need an adult's help to fix it.
SITUATION SORT
Time to test your skills! Is the scenario Tattling or Reporting? Head to the correct wall!
Situation Sort Activity TATTLING
To get someone IN trouble
REPORTING
To get someone OUT of trouble
Cut these out and tape them to opposite walls of the classroom.
Case #001
Scenario
"Someone is running with scissors in the back of the classroom."
Answer: Reporting (Safety Issue)
Case #002
Scenario
"Ben took two stickers from the bin instead of one like the teacher said."
Answer: Tattling (Small Problem)
Case #003
Scenario
"A group of older kids is pushing a student on the playground."
Answer: Reporting (Someone is being hurt)
Case #004
Scenario
"Ava is humming while we are trying to read our books."
Answer: Tattling (Annoyance)
Case #005
Scenario
"You saw a student write on the bathroom wall with a marker."
Answer: Reporting (Destruction of Property)
Case #006
Scenario
"Leo is wearing his hood up even though it's against class rules."
Answer: Tattling (Rules aren't safety-related here)
Truth Squad Scripts Guide Truth Squad Scripts
Daily Instructional Scripts • 15 Minutes/Day
1
Day 1: Mission Identification
Introduction (0:00 - 0:05)
Teacher: "Attention Agents! Welcome to your first day of Truth Squad training. I am your Mission Commander. Our community is great, but sometimes things happen that make it less safe. Today, we learn the difference between two signals: Tattling and Reporting ."
Teacher: "Tattling is when we try to get someone IN trouble. It's usually about a small problem that you can solve yourself. Reporting is when we try to get someone OUT of trouble or keep them safe. It’s for big problems that need an adult. Remember: Tattling hurts, Reporting helps!"
Game: Situation Sort (0:05 - 0:15)
Teacher: "Agent training time! Look at the walls. On that side, we have the Tattling Zone. On this side, the Reporting Zone. I will read a case file. You must walk to the side you think it belongs to. Ready? Case #001: Someone is running with scissors..."
[After each scenario, ask one student:] "Agent, why is this reporting?" (Wait for: "Because someone could get hurt!")
2
Day 2: Problem Power
Briefing (0:00 - 0:05)
Teacher: "Welcome back, Agents. Yesterday we learned the why . Today we learn the what . Not every problem is a mission for the Truth Squad. We have Small Problems and Big Problems ."
Teacher: "A Small Problem is an 'oops' or an annoyance. Like someone making a face or not sharing. You can solve these using your Super-Self —ask nicely to stop or walk away. A Big Problem is about safety. Is someone hurt? Is something breaking? Is it dangerous? That's when you use your reporting power!"
Activity: Shield Your Squad (0:05 - 0:15)
Teacher: "Agents, take your Shield Worksheets. Your mission is to find the Big Problems and color them in. These are the things that go on our shield of protection. If it's a small problem, leave it alone. That’s for your Super-Self to handle at the scene!"
3
Day 3: Signal Strength
Briefing (0:00 - 0:05)
Teacher: "Agents, your signals are getting stronger. But how do we actually send the message? When you report, you need to use the Reporting Radio . That means you stay calm and you tell the Facts , not the
Danger Detect Slides Training Level 2
PROBLEM
POWER
How big is the danger?
The Problem Scale
Small
"I can handle this myself."
Big
"I need an adult right now!"
What is a Big Problem?
Someone is hurt
Someone is in danger
Property is breaking
Rules are being broken
What is a Small Problem?
Annoyances
"They didn't share the ball."
Accidents
"They spilled some water."
"Use your words first, or just walk away!"
SHIELD YOUR SQUAD
Let's use our Shields to identify Big Problems!
Shield Squad Worksheet Shield Your Squad
Truth Squad Training • Level 2
NAME: ___________________________
DATE: ___________________________
MISSION: A Truth Squad Agent only reports BIG PROBLEMS . Look at the situations below. Color the bubbles that show Big Problems (Safety Issues) . Leave the Small Problems (Annoyances) alone—you can solve those yourself!
Someone is being pushed on the stairs.
Someone is making a silly noise at lunch.
You found a sharp piece of glass on the rug.
Someone didn't share their toy during play time.
A friend is crying because they fell and are bleeding.
Someone took your favorite spot on the rug.
Someone is playing with a lighter or matches.
Someone won't stop humming during the quiz.
Keep our classroom safe!
TRUTH-SQUAD-DOC-LVL2
Radio Check Slides Training Level 3
SIGNAL
STRENGTH
How to send a clear message.
The Reporting Radio
1
Find an Adult
2
Use a Calm Voice
3
State the Facts
Facts vs. Drama
Drama
"Teacher! Sam is being so mean and he's breaking everything and he hates me!"
Facts
"Teacher, I am reporting a problem. Sam is throwing blocks and I'm worried someone will get hurt."
Your Agent Script
"Adult, I have a Safety Report ."
"I saw ____________ happens."
"I think someone might get hurt ."
RADIO CHECK
Time to practice your reports! Use the scenario cards to call for backup.
Reporting Radio Cards Radio Check Practice
Use the script: "Adult, I have a safety report. I saw [FACT]. I'm worried about [SAFETY]."
CHANNEL 01
Scenario
"You see a student trying to climb the high fence during recess."
CHANNEL 02
Scenario
"Someone is crying because they bumped their head on a desk."
CHANNEL 03
Scenario
"There is a big puddle of water and a 'Wet Floor' sign fell over."
CHANNEL 04
Scenario
"You saw an older student take a younger student's backpack."
CHANNEL 05
Scenario
"A student is eating a snack they are allergic to by mistake."
CHANNEL 06
Scenario
"A student has a tool from the art room that looks like a sharp knife."
Graduation Day Slides Final Mission
SQUAD
GRADUATION
Time to earn your badge!
TRUTH TRIVIA
Show a "T" with your hands for Tattling, or an "R" for Reporting!
Question 1
"Someone took my pencil and I'm mad!"
T
Tattling
R
Reporting
Question 2
"Someone is being mean to a friend and making them cry."
T
Tattling
R
Reporting
The Truth Squad Pledge
"I promise to keep our class safe.
CONGRATULATIONS!
You are now official Truth Squad Agents. Go forth and protect our community!
Squad Badge Craft Squad Badge Craft
Cut out your badge and the pledge. Glue them back-to-back. Color them to make them official! You can use a safety pin or tape to wear your badge with pride.
Official Truth Squad Agent
Class Protector
The Pledge
"I promise to keep our class safe. I will only report Big Problems. I will be a helper, not a hurter."
SIGN: ____________________
Official Truth Squad Agent
Class Protector
The Pledge
"I promise to keep our class safe. I will only report Big Problems. I will be a helper, not a hurter."
SIGN: ____________________
Official Truth Squad Agent
Class Protector
The Pledge
"I promise to keep our class safe. I will only report Big Problems. I will be a helper, not a hurter."
SIGN: ____________________
Official Truth Squad Agent
Class Protector
The Pledge
"I promise to keep our class safe. I will only report Big Problems. I will be a helper, not a hurter."
SIGN: ____________________
