Howard B Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back | Honesty Lesson | K-2nd grade

Struggling with students who deny mistakes, blame others, or have difficulty telling the truth?

This engaging K–2 SEL lesson uses Howard B. Wigglebottom and the Monkey on His Back to help young students explore honesty, responsibility, and trust in a way that truly sticks.

Not sure how to teach honesty in a way young children can actually understand and apply?

This ready-to-use print-and-teach resource gives you everything you need to lead a meaningful honesty lesson with confidence through story discussion, role-play, interactive games, and hands-on activities.

What’s Included

• Detailed honesty lesson plan
• Lesson-at-a-Glance guide for easy prep
• Teaching Script at a Glance for simple delivery
• Read-aloud discussion guide
• Truth or Pretend icebreaker activity
• Monkey Off My Back craft activity
• Truth or Trouble role-play game
• Truth or Trouble game cards
• Bonus Honesty Scenario Cards
• Wrap-up reflection and exit tickets
• Home Connections family letter
• Student printable templates and reflection pages
• Answer key included

How This Helps

This lesson helps students:

• Understand what honesty means in everyday situations
• Recognize how dishonesty affects trust and relationships
• Practice truthful, responsible decision-making
• Build self-awareness and accountability
• Strengthen trust with peers, teachers, and family members

Perfect For

• Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
• School Counselors
• Classroom Teachers
• Small Groups
• Whole Group SEL Lessons
• Character Education and Behavior Support Lessons

Why Teachers & Counselors Love This

This is one of those lessons you can pull out and use right away.

Everything is designed to make honesty skills easy to teach with young learners through engaging discussions, role-play, movement activities, and hands-on practice.

The clear lesson flow, teaching script, and ready-to-print materials save prep time while keeping students actively involved.

Bonus Tip

Want to extend the lesson even further?

The animated version of the book is available free at wedolisten.org.

Note

Lesson shared with permission from author Howard Binkow.

Part of the Howard B. Wigglebottom SEL Lesson Series for K–2.