Inside: A mentor text and activities to stop tattling in the classroom
There are few things that can throw a lesson off track faster than tattling. We can all relate to this scenario.
You ask a thoughtful question, hands shoot up, you call on someone and hear,
“Ray keeps tapping his shoe.”
That is usually followed by another student saying something like,
“Yeah, I can’t concentrate.”
The truth? They can barely hear the tapping, and Ray would likely stop if the others students would just ask him nicely.
This is an example of a lesson sabotaged by tattling!
On the outside, we carefully choose our words and remain calm. On the inside, we are doing everything we can to hide our frustration from the shoe tapping that hijacked our carefully planned lesson.
Table of Contents
Bonus: Students have big decisions to make about tattling, reporting, and other behaviors. At the end of this post, you’ll find a free download to promote classroom discussions on these big decisions.
Let’s Stop tattling!
It’s almost impossible to stop tattling completely. You’ll always have students that want to report things like:
- spot taking
- pencil tapping
- funny faces
However, with the right lessons and prompting, we can help minimize tattling in the classroom. The mentor text below does a great job of teaching students the difference between tattling vs. reporting.
Sometimes just reading a book isn’t enough, so I’m sharing three fun activities that match the book and will make the concepts stick with your students.
A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue
Josh learns the difference between tattling and reporting the hard way. Getting Tattle Tongue forces him to stop and think about when to report an issue.
Kids love the exaggerated “tattle tongue” symptoms, and it opens the door to meaningful conversations about what issues deserve reporting.
Read on for three engaging activities to use this book.
1. Design Your Own Tattle Tongue
After reading A Bad Case of Tattle Tongue, students are amused by the “symptoms” that show up when someone tattles. Students can bring these symptoms to life by decorating their own tattle tongue. Adding a real example of tattling helps students reflect on what tattling sounds like and when you should avoid it.
- Print out this free tattle tongue coloring page.
- Have students use crayons, markers, and/or decorations like googly eyes to decorate the tongue.
- Ask students to think about a time when someone tattled over a small problem. Then, have them write a sentence that shows what tattling sounds like in real life.
Try it – Have students meet in groups to share their responses and discuss how they could handle the situation without tattling.
2. Class Pledge Against Tattling
Work with students to compose a pledge that shows they understand the difference between tattling and reporting. All students should sign the pledge.
A classroom pledge may look something like this.
I promise to think before I get an adult.
I will only report if someone is hurt, in danger, or being treated unfairly.
If it’s a small problem, I’ll try to solve it myself or use kind words.
Tattling just to get someone in trouble is not okay.
I want to help keep our classroom calm, kind, and safe.
3. Invent a Cure for Tattle Tongue
Once students understand what tattling looks and sounds like, it’s time to help them take ownership of a solution. This activity asks students to design a “cure” for tattle tongue. Students use their creativity to come up with a solution that reminds them to stop, think, and make smart choices before reporting.
The cure should stop tattling as well as demonstrate that students understand the difference between tattling and reporting.
Students can be a bit silly with their cure. The point is for them to show they have an understanding that they should stop and think before reporting an incident to a teacher.
Would you like to try these activities with your class? You can download both of the printable activities for free by clicking on the button below.
More Activities to Stop Tattling
If your students could use even more practice telling the difference between tattling and reporting, I can help you with that.
My Tattling vs. Reporting set includes engaging activities like:
- An Interactive Lesson – available in PowerPoint and Google Slides
- Color the Quote – a no prep way to reinforce the tattling vs. reporting
- Cut and Paste Sorting – perfect for independent or partner work
- Two Tattling vs. Reporting Games – ideal for small groups or early finishers
- Plus more!
All activities are designed to spark conversation and build self-awareness so you can get back to teaching without constant interruptions.
You might still hear a shoe tapping here and there, but now your students will have the tools to decide which problems they can handle on their own.
With clear expectations, a bit of reflection, and a touch of creativity, those constant interruptions will start to fade. Instead of tattling, your students will have the skills to differentiate between big and little problems and handle them accordingly This will leave you with more teaching time and a little more sanity.
Other Classroom Decisions
Tattling is just one of the many tricky situations students face each day. These free Behavior Decision Cards are a simple way to spark classroom conversations and help your students think before they act.
Each card presents a realistic scenario your students might encounter.
For example, “What if like someone takes their spot on the carpet?” or “What if someone copies their answers?” Students have discussions that will help them to stop, reflect, and make a responsible choice in the future.
Use the cards during morning meetings, small group discussions, or as quick partner talks.
You’ll love hearing the creative solutions, and the conversations make great references for any future incidents.
