Today you will explore how integrity and moral courage guide you when choices feel risky or unpopular. You will learn how values, honesty, and accountability shape your reputation and relationships over time. You will also practice responding to peer pressure with respect and self-control while protecting fairness and dignity. By the end, you will use a simple decision guide to choose one action you can do this week to live with integrity.
🎯 Learning Goals
By the end of the lesson, you will be able to:
- Define integrity and moral courage and give two real-life examples for each.
- Use a 4-step ethical decision guide to analyze a scenario and predict two short-term and two long-term consequences.
- Create a one-week integrity action plan with one clear behavior, one situation where you will use it, and one way you will measure success.
🧩 Key Ideas & Terms
- Integrity – doing what is right even when no one is watching.
- Moral courage – choosing the right action even when you feel fear, pressure, or possible loss.
- Values – guiding beliefs such as honesty, respect, fairness, compassion, and responsibility.
- Accountability – owning your choices and repairing harm when needed.
- Peer pressure – influence from others that pushes you to act a certain way.
- Ethical dilemma – a situation where choices have competing “goods” or risks.
- Reputation – what people believe about your character based on patterns of behavior.
- Consequence – results of an action (immediate and long-term).
🔄 Quick Recall / Prior Knowledge
Answer from memory first. Then check the suggested answers.
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What is the difference between intention and impact?
Show Answer
Intention is what you meant to do. Impact is what actually happened to others. A good intention can still lead to harmful impact.
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Name one example of responsibility in school.
Show Answer
Examples: doing your share in group work, submitting honest work, following classroom agreements, or helping keep shared spaces clean.
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Why can “everyone is doing it” be a weak reason for a choice?
Show Answer
Because popularity does not prove a choice is right. Integrity means checking your values, not copying the crowd.
📖 Explore the Lesson
Work through each checkpoint. Write short notes in your notebook before opening answers.
Checkpoint 1: Integrity Is What You Do When It’s Quiet
Mini-goal: Explain integrity as consistency between values, words, and actions.
Guided discussion: Integrity often sounds big, but it starts with ordinary moments: returning a lost item, admitting you forgot an assignment, or refusing to copy answers. Integrity means your values match your actions. If you say honesty matters but you lie to avoid trouble, your values and actions are not aligned. Integrity is not about never making mistakes. It is about what you do next: telling the truth, taking responsibility, and repairing harm.
One helpful way to understand integrity is to think about “private choices.” Private choices are decisions people might never discover. For example, you might find money in an empty hallway, see an unattended phone, or notice an answer key left on a table. Nobody may know what you do. Integrity shows up here. It is the inner voice that says, “I want to be the kind of person who can trust myself.”
Real-life tie-in: Imagine a group chat where someone shares a private screenshot. You did not start it. But you can choose to forward it, react with laughing emojis, stay silent, or speak up. Integrity includes how you act in digital spaces too. Online, choices spread faster and can harm dignity in seconds. Integrity asks you to protect fairness and respect even when it’s easy to blend in.
Mini-summary: Integrity is living your values consistently, especially in private moments. It includes admitting mistakes and repairing harm.
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What is one “quiet” situation where integrity matters at school?
Show Answer
Examples: returning found items, not copying answers, being honest about attendance, or not spreading rumors online.
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Why is integrity more than “being nice”?
Show Answer
Because integrity involves honesty, fairness, accountability, and doing the right thing even when it is uncomfortable or unpopular.
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What does “repairing harm” look like after a dishonest choice?
Show Answer
It can include admitting the truth, apologizing, correcting misinformation, accepting consequences, and changing behavior.
Checkpoint 2: Moral Courage Is Integrity Under Pressure
Mini-goal: Identify what makes a choice courageous and why courage can feel risky.
Guided discussion: Moral courage is what happens when integrity meets pressure. You may know the right thing, but fear holds you back: fear of embarrassment, rejection, conflict, or punishment. Moral courage is not the absence of fear. It is acting with your values even while fear is present. Sometimes courage is loud, like speaking in front of a group. Often, moral courage is quiet: refusing to join teasing, telling the truth about a mistake, or stepping away from a harmful plan.
Why does moral courage matter? Because pressure is common. Friends may challenge your choices. A group may decide to exclude someone. A teammate may suggest cheating to “save time.” In these moments, a person without moral courage may follow the crowd. A person with moral courage pauses, thinks, and chooses actions that protect dignity and fairness. Over time, moral courage builds trust. People learn they can rely on you, not because you are perfect, but because you are consistent and accountable.
Real-life tie-in: Picture a scenario: your friends want to post an insulting comment about a classmate. They say, “It’s just a joke.” You worry that refusing will make you the next target. Moral courage can sound like: “No. That’s not right. Let’s stop.” You may also choose to exit the chat, privately support the classmate, or seek help if harm continues. Courage can be one sentence, one refusal, or one protective action.
Mini-summary: Moral courage is choosing right actions under pressure. It protects dignity and builds trust over time.
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What fear most often makes moral courage difficult for students?
Show Answer
Common fears include rejection, being laughed at, losing friends, getting in trouble, or being excluded.
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Name one “quiet courage” action that does not require arguing.
Show Answer
Examples: not reacting to hurtful posts, leaving a harmful conversation, supporting the target privately, or asking a trusted adult for help.
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How can moral courage improve your reputation over time?
Show Answer
People see patterns. When you consistently choose fairness and honesty, others trust you and view you as dependable.
Checkpoint 3: A Simple 4-Step Ethical Decision Guide
Mini-goal: Use a decision guide to slow down and predict consequences.
Guided discussion: When pressure rises, thinking shrinks. That is why a simple guide matters. Use this 4-step ethical decision guide:
- Stop: Pause. Name what is happening (facts, not guesses).
- Think: List at least two choices you could make.
- Predict: For each choice, predict short-term and long-term consequences (for you and others).
- Choose: Pick the action that best matches your values and reduces harm.
In the “Predict” step, include hidden consequences: trust, reputation, self-respect, and relationships. A choice that gives quick approval may damage trust later. Also include consequences for the person affected, not only consequences for you. Integrity and moral courage grow when you imagine the world from another person’s side.
Real-life tie-in: Scenario: your group wants you to put your name on a project you barely helped with. Stop: You did not do your share. Think: (A) accept credit anyway, (B) admit what you did and offer to improve the work, (C) ask for a new task and deadline, (D) speak to the teacher with your group. Predict: (A) quick comfort but guilt and unfairness, (B–D) discomfort now but fairness and trust later. Choose: an option that repairs responsibility and reduces harm to the group.
Mini-summary: A decision guide helps you pause, compare consequences, and choose a values-based action that reduces harm.
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Why should you write “facts only” in the Stop step?
Show Answer
Facts prevent exaggeration and help you respond to the real problem, not assumptions or rumors.
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What is one “hidden consequence” you will try to predict more often?
Show Answer
Examples: trust, reputation, self-respect, long-term friendships, or future opportunities.
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In the scenario, why is “accept credit anyway” an integrity problem?
Show Answer
It is unfair and dishonest because it takes credit that you did not earn and harms the group’s sense of trust.
Checkpoint 4: Peer Pressure and the “Yes Trap”
Mini-goal: Recognize peer pressure tactics and practice safe responses.
Guided discussion: Peer pressure often works through small words that push you into a quick “yes.” Watch for phrases like: “Everyone does it,” “Don’t be boring,” “It’s just a joke,” “No one will know,” or “If you’re my friend, you will.” These lines are not proof that a choice is right. They are shortcuts designed to silence your thinking. Integrity requires time to think. Moral courage requires willingness to be different.
Prepare three response tools. First, pause: “Let me think.” Second, refuse clearly: “No, I’m not doing that.” Third, offer an alternative: “Let’s do something else.” If pressure continues, exit: change seats, leave the chat, or walk away. If safety is at risk, seek support from a trusted adult. These are respectful moves. They protect dignity without creating unnecessary conflict.
Real-life tie-in: Scenario: friends want you to share an answer key for a quiz. A respectful refusal can be: “No. That’s cheating. I’ll help you review, but I won’t share answers.” This response protects fairness and also protects your friend from future consequences. You can still be supportive without joining a harmful action.
Mini-summary: Peer pressure uses “quick yes” language. Prepared pause, refusal, alternatives, exit, and support-seeking protect integrity.
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Which peer pressure phrase feels most persuasive to you, and why?
Show Answer
Answers vary. A strong answer names a phrase and explains the feeling behind it (fear of exclusion, desire to impress, avoiding conflict).
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Write one refusal sentence that is respectful and firm.
Show Answer
Examples: “No, that’s not right.” “I’m not comfortable with that.” “I won’t do that, but I can help in a fair way.”
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Why can offering an alternative be more effective than arguing?
Show Answer
It quickly redirects the group to a safer choice and reduces conflict while still protecting values.
Checkpoint 5: Integrity in Words, Work, and Digital Life
Mini-goal: Apply integrity to honesty, fairness, and respect across settings.
Guided discussion: Integrity shows up in at least three everyday areas: words, work, and online behavior. In words, integrity means telling the truth, avoiding gossip, and speaking respectfully even when upset. It also means correcting misinformation you helped spread. In work, integrity means earning your grades, doing your share in group tasks, and admitting when you need help instead of hiding behind cheating. In digital life, integrity means protecting privacy, refusing to share harmful content, and remembering that online actions can last longer than your emotions.
Sometimes students believe integrity is only about “not getting caught.” But integrity is about who you become. A person who repeatedly takes shortcuts may gain short-term comfort but loses long-term skills and trust. A person who chooses honest effort may struggle sometimes, but they build competence and confidence. Integrity is also connected to respect: you are respecting yourself by building skills, and respecting others by keeping the playing field fair.
Real-life tie-in: Scenario: you accidentally repost a rumor. Later you learn it is false. Integrity is not pretending it never happened. Integrity is taking responsibility: deleting the post, posting a correction, and privately apologizing if someone was harmed. This is moral courage too, because you may fear embarrassment. But your correction rebuilds trust.
Mini-summary: Integrity applies to honest speech, fair work, and respectful digital behavior. Owning mistakes and correcting harm builds trust.
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Which area is hardest for students: words, work, or digital life? Explain.
Show Answer
Answers vary. Many learners choose digital life because content spreads fast and peer pressure is strong online.
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What is one integrity habit you can practice in group work?
Show Answer
Examples: clarify tasks early, report your progress honestly, ask for help, and do your fair share on time.
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Why is correcting a mistake a form of moral courage?
Show Answer
Because you may fear embarrassment or consequences, but you choose honesty and repair anyway.
Checkpoint 6: Your One-Week Integrity Action Plan
Mini-goal: Commit to one specific behavior that demonstrates integrity in a real situation.
Guided discussion: Integrity becomes real when it becomes measurable. Choose one behavior you will practice this week. It must be specific, realistic, and connected to a situation you actually face. Examples: “I will not forward screenshots,” “I will do my share in group work and report progress honestly,” “I will admit mistakes to my teacher within 24 hours,” or “I will refuse to copy homework and offer help instead.”
Now write an action plan with four parts:
- My value: Choose one value (honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility).
- My behavior: Write one clear behavior you will do.
- My situation: Describe where and when you will use it (class, group work, online chat, home).
- My measure: How will you know you succeeded? (number of times, a checklist, a reflection note).
Real-life tie-in: If your situation is “group work,” your measure could be: “I will submit my part one day early and show my group evidence of progress.” If your situation is “online chat,” your measure could be: “I will pause before posting and ask, ‘Does this protect dignity?’” A measure turns a good intention into a real habit.
Mini-summary: A one-week action plan turns integrity into practice: value + behavior + situation + measure.
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Which value will you focus on this week, and why does it matter to you?
Show Answer
Answers vary. A strong answer names a value and connects it to a real life situation (trust with friends, fairness in school, respect online).
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Is your chosen behavior specific enough to observe?
Show Answer
If your behavior is too general (e.g., “I will be good”), rewrite it as an action you can see (e.g., “I will not share rumors and I will correct misinformation”).
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What is one obstacle that might challenge your plan, and how will you respond?
Show Answer
Examples: peer pressure, fear of embarrassment, anger, or stress. A response might be a refusal script, an exit plan, or asking a trusted adult for support.
💡 Example in Action
Each worked example shows integrity + moral courage in action. Study the reasoning, not just the answer.
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Found wallet in the hallway
What is the integrity choice?Show Answer
Turn it in to a teacher/office and help identify the owner. Integrity means doing right even if no one saw you find it.
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Friends encourage cheating “just this once”
Use the 4-step guide: choose the best action.Show Answer
Refuse to cheat and offer a fair alternative (review together, ask the teacher for help). Predicting long-term consequences shows cheating damages trust and learning.
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Group mate did nothing but wants equal credit
What is a respectful, courageous response?Show Answer
Talk calmly, clarify tasks, and ask the member to complete a specific part by a deadline. If needed, involve the teacher early. This protects fairness without humiliation.
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Online rumor posted about a classmate
What is the integrity action if you shared it?Show Answer
Delete the share, post a correction if appropriate, and apologize privately if harm was caused. Moral courage includes admitting mistakes.
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You witnessed teasing
What is a “quiet courage” move?Show Answer
Do not laugh or react, support the target (“Are you okay?”), redirect the group, and seek help if the teasing continues.
📝 Try It Out
Answer in your notebook before checking suggested answers.
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Define integrity in your own words.
Show Answer
Integrity means doing what is right and honest, even when no one is watching, and owning mistakes when they happen.
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Define moral courage in your own words.
Show Answer
Moral courage means choosing the right action even when you feel fear, pressure, or possible loss.
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List two examples of integrity at school.
Show Answer
Examples: not cheating; doing your fair share in group work; returning found items; correcting misinformation you spread.
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List two examples of moral courage in school life.
Show Answer
Examples: refusing to join teasing; reporting harmful behavior; admitting a mistake; defending someone respectfully.
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Write the 4 steps of the ethical decision guide in order.
Show Answer
Stop → Think → Predict → Choose.
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Scenario: A friend asks you to share quiz answers. Write one respectful refusal and one alternative.
Show Answer
Refusal: “No, I won’t share answers.” Alternative: “I can help you review the lesson or practice problems with you.”
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Write two short-term and two long-term consequences of cheating.
Show Answer
Short-term: unfair grade, possible discipline. Long-term: weaker skills, damaged trust/reputation, habit of dishonesty.
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Write one “pause” line you can use under pressure.
Show Answer
Examples: “Let me think.” “I’m not deciding right now.” “Give me a minute.”
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Create your one-week integrity action plan (value + behavior + situation + measure).
Show Answer
A strong plan includes one value, one clear behavior, a real situation, and a measurable indicator (checklist, count, or reflection note).
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Name one obstacle that could block your plan and one way you will respond.
Show Answer
Obstacle: peer pressure. Response: use a refusal script and exit the situation, then seek support if needed.
✅ Check Yourself
Answer first. Then open the answers to self-check.
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Multiple choice: Integrity is best described as…
a) doing what is easy b) doing what is popular c) doing what is right even when unseen d) doing what avoids consequencesShow Answer
c)
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True/False: Moral courage means you feel no fear.
Show Answer
False. Moral courage means acting with values even when fear is present.
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Short answer: What is one hidden consequence of a dishonest choice?
Show Answer
Loss of trust, damaged reputation, lower self-respect, or weaker relationships.
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Multiple choice: Which is a respectful refusal?
a) “You’re annoying.” b) “No, I won’t. Let’s do something fair instead.” c) “Fine, but don’t tell.” d) “I’ll do it if you pay me.”Show Answer
b)
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Short answer: Write the steps of the ethical decision guide.
Show Answer
Stop, Think, Predict, Choose.
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Multiple choice: Which action shows moral courage in a group chat?
a) forwarding a rumor b) laughing silently c) posting a correction after learning it is false d) encouraging more insultsShow Answer
c)
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True/False: Correcting a mistake can be an integrity action.
Show Answer
True.
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Short answer: What makes an action plan “measurable”?
Show Answer
It includes a way to check success (count, checklist, deadline, or reflection record), not only a vague intention.
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Multiple choice: “Everyone is doing it” is weak because…
a) it is always false b) it avoids thinking about values and harm c) it proves the action is right d) it guarantees safetyShow Answer
b)
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Short answer: Give one example of “quiet courage.”
Show Answer
Examples: not joining teasing, leaving a harmful chat, supporting the target privately, or refusing to cheat without arguing.
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True/False: Integrity only matters in schoolwork.
Show Answer
False. It applies to words, relationships, community behavior, and online actions too.
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Multiple choice: Which best shows accountability?
a) blaming others b) hiding evidence c) owning the mistake and repairing harm d) pretending nothing happenedShow Answer
c)
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Short answer: What is the difference between integrity and moral courage?
Show Answer
Integrity is doing what is right consistently; moral courage is doing what is right when pressure or fear makes it difficult.
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Short answer: Name one value that supports integrity.
Show Answer
Honesty, fairness, respect, responsibility, or compassion.
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Reflection check: Which situation challenges your integrity most: schoolwork, friendships, or online spaces? Why?
Show Answer
Answers vary. A strong answer names one setting and explains the pressure (approval, fear, convenience, anger, or habit).
🚀 Go Further
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Write a short “refusal script” card with three lines you can use under pressure.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Practice the scripts aloud in pairs; focus on calm tone, clear wording, and safe exit choices.
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Interview a trusted adult about a time they chose integrity and what it cost them.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Ask learners to summarize the dilemma, the courageous choice, and the long-term result in one paragraph.
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Create two endings to the same dilemma: one without integrity and one with integrity. Compare outcomes.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Highlight hidden consequences like trust, reputation, and self-respect, not only punishment.
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Make an “Integrity Checklist” for group work and test it in your next project.
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Include items like fair task division, honest reporting, respectful communication, and shared deadlines.
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Design a poster message that encourages moral courage online (privacy, respect, and truth).
Show Answer
Teacher guidance: Keep it short, positive, and specific (e.g., “Pause before you post” + one action step).
🔗 My Reflection
Notebook task: Write 8–10 sentences.
- Describe one situation where you felt pressure to do something you knew was wrong.
- Use the 4-step guide (Stop–Think–Predict–Choose) to explain what you did or what you wish you had done.
- Write your one-week integrity action plan (value + behavior + situation + measure).
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