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My Inner Compass

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Lesson Plan

My Inner Compass

Students will identify their personal values and understand how these values influence their decisions and actions.

Understanding personal values helps students develop self-awareness, build a strong moral compass, and make choices aligned with their authentic selves, leading to greater well-being and responsible citizenship.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided reflection, and a values-sorting activity.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Guides You?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a warm-up question: "What is something you believe in strongly?" Allow students to share briefly.
    - Introduce the concept of 'personal values' using the My Inner Compass Slide Deck. Explain that values are like an 'inner compass' that guides our decisions.
    - Discuss why understanding our values is important (helps us make good choices, understand ourselves better, etc.).

Step 2

Exploring Values

15 minutes

  • Distribute the Values Exploration Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the first section of the worksheet, prompting them to think about different areas of their lives and what is important to them.
    - Use slides from the My Inner Compass Slide Deck to provide examples of common values and facilitate discussion.

Step 3

Values Card Sort Activity

20 minutes

  • Introduce the Values Card Sort Activity. Explain that students will work individually or in small groups to sort a set of values cards.
    - Instruct students to first sort the cards into 'Very Important,' 'Somewhat Important,' and 'Not Important' categories.
    - Then, have them narrow down their 'Very Important' pile to their top 5-7 core values.
    - Encourage discussion within groups about why they chose certain values.

Step 4

Reflection and Share

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a brief discussion.
    - Ask students to share one or two of their top values and why they are important to them.
    - Guide a reflection on how these values might influence future decisions. Use prompts from the My Inner Compass Slide Deck.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Living Your Values

5 minutes

  • Summarize the main points: values are personal guides.
    - Challenge students to be mindful of their values in the coming week.
    - Assign a quick exit ticket or journal prompt (optional): "How can knowing your values help you make a tough decision?"
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Slide Deck

My Inner Compass: What Guides Your Decisions?

What is something you believe in strongly?

Let's find out what truly matters to you!

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask the warm-up question: "What is something you believe in strongly?" Allow a few students to share their thoughts briefly.

What Are Personal Values?

Your 'Inner Compass'

  • Values are the things that you believe are important in the way you live and work.
  • They are like a guide or a compass that helps you make decisions.
  • They tell you what matters most to you.

Explain what personal values are. Use the analogy of an 'inner compass.' Give a few simple examples like 'honesty' or 'kindness.'

Ask: "Why do you think it's important to know what your values are?"

Discover Your Compass

How do we find our values?

  • Through reflection
  • By thinking about what makes us happy, proud, or even upset
  • Considering what's truly important in life

Introduce the idea of exploring their own values using the worksheet. Explain that values can come from family, friends, experiences, and beliefs.

Your Values Exploration

Let's get started with your worksheet!

Go over the instructions for the Values Exploration Worksheet. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers and it's about personal discovery.

Values Card Sort Activity

Sorting What Matters Most

  1. First Sort: Divide your cards into three piles:
    • Very Important
    • Somewhat Important
    • Not Important
  2. Second Sort: From your 'Very Important' pile, choose your top 5-7 core values.

Explain the Values Card Sort Activity. Clarify the sorting categories: 'Very Important,' 'Somewhat Important,' and 'Not Important.' Then, the second step of narrowing down to top 5-7. Circulate and assist students.

Reflect and Share

What did you discover?

  • What are one or two of your most important values?
  • Why do these values resonate with you?
  • How might knowing these values help you in the future?

Facilitate a class discussion. Ask students to share 1-2 of their top values and why they chose them. Encourage respectful listening.

Prompts:

  • "How do these values influence decisions you make every day?"
  • "Can your values change over time? Why or why not?"

Live Your Values!

Your inner compass is a powerful guide.

  • Understanding your values helps you make choices that feel right for you.
  • It helps you live a life that is true to yourself.
  • Challenge: Be mindful of your values this week!

Conclude the lesson by reiterating the power of personal values. Give them a quick challenge or exit ticket question.

Exit Ticket/Journal Prompt: "How can knowing your values help you make a tough decision?"

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Worksheet

Values Exploration Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: What Matters to You?

Take some time to think about what is truly important in different areas of your life. Answer the questions below:

  1. In your friendships: What qualities do you value most in your friends? What kind of friend do you strive to be?






  2. In your family: What is important to you about your family relationships? What do you hope to contribute to your family?






  3. In your schoolwork/learning: What aspects of learning or school are most important to you? What do you want to achieve or experience in your education?






  4. In your community/world: What changes would you like to see in your community or the world? What causes or issues are important to you?






  5. For yourself (personal growth): What kind of person do you want to become? What traits or feelings are important for your own well-being?






Part 2: Reflecting on Tough Choices

Think about a time you had to make a difficult decision. What did you consider? What felt important to you in that moment?












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Activity

Values Card Sort Activity

Instructions:

  1. Carefully cut out each of the values listed below.
  2. First Sort: Create three piles: "Very Important," "Somewhat Important," and "Not Important."
  3. Second Sort: From your "Very Important" pile, choose your top 5-7 core values. These are the values that truly act as your inner compass!
  4. Be ready to share and discuss your choices!

Values Cards

Cut along the dotted lines. You can write any additional values you think of on the blank cards.

-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        ACHIEVEMENT      |    |          ADVENTURE      |    |          BEAUTY         |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         BRAVERY         |    |        CHALLENGE        |    |         COMMUNITY       |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         COMPASSION      |    |        CONNECTION       |    |        CONTRIBUTION     |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        COOPERATION      |    |        CREATIVITY       |    |         DETERMINATION   |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        EDUCATION        |    |        EMPATHY          |    |          EQUALITY       |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         FAITH           |    |         FAMILY          |    |          FREEDOM        |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        FRIENDSHIP       |    |         GRATITUDE       |    |          GROWTH         |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         HAPPINESS       |    |          HEALTH         |    |          HONESTY        |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         HUMOR           |    |        INDEPENDENCE     |    |         INNOVATION      |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         INTEGRITY       |    |         KINDNESS        |    |         KNOWLEDGE       |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         LEADERSHIP      |    |         LOYALTY         |    |         MINDFULNESS     |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|          NATURE         |    |         PATIENCE        |    |        PERSEVERANCE     |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|         RESPECT         |    |        RESPONSIBILITY   |    |         SECURITY        |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        SELF-CONTROL     |    |         SERVICE         |    |        SPIRITUALITY     |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        STABILITY        |    |         SUCCESS         |    |        THANKFULNESS     |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|        TRUTH            |    |       UNDERSTANDING     |    |         WISDOM          |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
|                         |    |                         |    |                         |
-------------------------    -------------------------    -------------------------
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