Hmmm, Do I Need to Tell the Teacher? A Scripted Story about Tattling Verses Reporting Created by Beth Vorhaus, (2013) Nashville, Tennessee: Team Tennessee, Tennessee Voices for Children
Sometimes, I like to show the teacher I know the rules. So, I tell her when I see someone break the rules.
Sometimes, when I get mad at a friend and I want to get them in trouble, I tell the teacher that they did something wrong.
Sometimes, I want the teacher to solve a problem I am having with a friend, we could have solved the problem ourselves.
We should work together to find solutions for our problems. But, my teacher has told us not to tattle on other children.
I need to stop and think before I tell the teacher. Is this tattling? Does my teacher need to know this? Is this reporting? Does my teacher need to know and she can help? I can ask myself:
What is tattling? Tattling is telling the teacher: Something that will get someone else in trouble That someone did something to you, but it was an accident About a problem that you have with someone else, that the two of you could solve on your own, rather then asking the teacher
What is reporting? Reporting is observing (watching or seeing) something that is happening and letting the a teacher know, so she can help. Reporting the following behaviors is important: There is danger, it is not safe Someone is hurt Someone is sick Someone is fighting Someone is being bullied
Tattling? Reporting? He took my toy. Sue took his pencil. She won’t play with me! Mike and Chris are fighting. She is not doing her work. Helen won’t let me have a turn There is water all over the floor by the sink. Pete is sick. Tisha is crying because she hurt herself. Kyle is pushing me in line. What am I telling the teacher?
What can I do? I can report to my teacher if: There is danger to my self or others I am or someone else is hurt I am or someone else is sick I am or someone else is being bullied There is fight going on I don’t need to tell my teacher if: I just want to get someone in trouble. I can solve the problem on my own I am trying to show her I know the rules