What an honesty enquiry is for
Every child is told to tell the truth, but few get the chance to think about why. An honesty enquiry explores what makes something a lie, why trust depends on truth and what to do when honesty seems to clash with kindness or loyalty.
Borderline cases, such as jokes, secrets, surprise parties and polite fibs, are especially useful because they make children sharpen their ideas instead of repeating rules.
Free activities to download
Ready-to-run EduTrend Contents philosophy enquiry workshops for primary, middle and high school. Each free download includes a step-by-step session plan, facilitator notes, three student worksheets and an assessment checklist. Full 20-week programmes are available in EduStore.
The Boy Who Cried Wolf
Primary · Ages 5–7
Foundation · 30 min
Young children retell the old fable of the shepherd boy and enquire into why people believe us and what happens when trust is broken.
Pretend or Lie?
Primary · Ages 8–11
Developing · 45 min
Pupils sort examples of saying untrue things and enquire into what makes something a lie.
The Lie to Protect a Friend
Middle School · Ages 11–13
Intermediate · 50 min
Students consider a scenario where lying might protect a friend and enquire into whether lying can ever be right.
Can You Mislead Without Lying?
Middle School · Ages 12–14
Intermediate · 50 min
Students analyse invented adverts and statements that are technically true but misleading, and enquire into honesty beyond not lying.
Truth and Trust in Public Life
High School · Ages 15–18
Advanced · 60 min
Students examine invented cases of truth-telling in public life, including whistleblowing and leaders withholding information, and enquire into the value of truth.
Liked the free activities? Go further with a 20-week programme.
Each free activity comes from a full EduTrend Contents programme: a Family Guide or Teacher's Guide with one-page session plans for 20 weeks, plus an Assessment Toolkit with rubrics, trackers and certificates. Choose the one for your child's age or your class below. Instant PDF download after checkout.
P4C-141 · 20 WEEKS · $29
Honest Talk at Home
Family · Ages 5–11 with a grown-up
Honesty, trust and secrets at home.
P4C-142 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Truth and Honesty Enquiries
Primary · Ages 5–11
Class enquiries on lies, trust and hard cases.
P4C-143 · 20 WEEKS · $39
Truth Enquiry Lab
Middle school · Ages 11–14
Lying, misleading and truth in public life.
P4C-144 · 20 WEEKS · $45
Truth Enquiry Leaders
High school · Ages 14–18
Lead truth enquiries for younger children.
Photos: Joseph Gonzalez, Ben Mullins, Japheth Mast, Alexis Brown, Hannah Olinger / Unsplash
Truth and Honesty
Explore truth and honesty with five free printable philosophy activities, from the boy who cried wolf and pretend versus lie to protecting a friend, misleading without lying and truth in public life. For longer learning, choose a 20-week programme for families, primary, middle or high school.
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Truth and Honesty
