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.
But, my teacher has told us
not to tattle on other
children.
We should work together to
find solutions for our problems.
I need to stop and think before
I tell the teacher.
I can ask myself:
Is this
tattling? Does
my teacher
need to know
this?
Is this reporting?
Does my teacher
need to know and
she can help?
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
She is not doing her
work.
Sue took his pencil.
What am I
telling the
teacher?
Tisha is crying
because she hurt
herself.
What can I do?
I can report to my
teacher if:
I don’t need to tell 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 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