Lesson Plan
Values Mapping Guide
Students will identify and map their personal core values, rank their top five, discuss how these values guide reactions to challenges, and journal action steps to align behaviors with values.
Developing self-awareness helps students understand what drives their decisions and emotions, fostering emotional intelligence and healthier coping strategies when facing challenges.
Audience
8th Grade Small Group
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Guided mapping, ranking, discussion, and journaling
Materials
Core Values Presentation, Values Ranking Chart, What Matters Most? Discussion Prompts, Values in Action Journal, Sticky Notes, and Markers
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Values Mapping Guide lesson plan
- Preview the Core Values Presentation slides and notes
- Print copies of the Values Ranking Chart and What Matters Most? Discussion Prompts
- Distribute or prepare each student’s Values in Action Journal, sticky notes, and markers
Step 1
Introduction to Self-Awareness
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain the lesson objective: understanding personal values
- Define “core value” and share 2–3 examples
- Show the first slide of the Core Values Presentation to illustrate why values matter
Step 2
Values Brainstorm and Mapping
10 minutes
- Distribute sticky notes and markers
- Ask students to write as many personal values as they can think of (one per note)
- On a blank wall or chart, have students place their notes under broad categories you project from the Core Values Presentation
- Group similar values together to form themes
Step 3
Values Ranking Activity
10 minutes
- Hand out the Values Ranking Chart
- Ask students to select their top five values from the mapped list
- Students write and rank these five values from most to least important on their chart
- Encourage reflection: Why did they choose this order?
Step 4
Group Discussion: What Matters Most?
10 minutes
- Use the What Matters Most? Discussion Prompts to guide conversation:
- When have you felt most aligned with your top value?
- How did that make you feel and act?
- What challenges have tested this value?
- Facilitate sharing, ensuring each student contributes at least once
Step 5
Values in Action Journals
8 minutes
- Give each student a Values in Action Journal
- Prompt them to write:
- One goal to live more in line with their top value
- Specific steps to take when faced with a challenge
- Encourage honest reflection and concrete action planning
Step 6
Wrap-Up and Reflection
2 minutes
- Summarize key takeaways about self-awareness and values
- Remind students to use their journal entries when they face difficult situations
- Thank students for participation and encourage continuous reflection
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Slide Deck
Core Values Presentation
Self-Awareness Through Understanding What Matters Most
• Identify your personal core values
• Map and group similar values
• Prepare to rank and reflect on your top values
Welcome students and introduce the purpose of today’s presentation: understanding what core values are and why they matter. Emphasize that this slide deck will guide them through defining, mapping, and reflecting on their personal values.
What Are Core Values?
Core values are the fundamental beliefs that guide how we think, feel, and act.
Examples:
– Honesty
– Respect
– Kindness
Define the term and provide simple everyday examples (e.g., honesty in friendships, responsibility in schoolwork).
Why Values Matter
• Guide your decisions and actions
• Influence how you respond to challenges
• Build a strong sense of purpose and identity
Explain each bullet with a quick story or question: “Think of a time you made a tough choice—what guided you?”
Examples of Core Values
Integrity • Empathy • Responsibility • Fairness • Perseverance • Creativity • Teamwork • Courage • Gratitude
Show a longer list of values on-screen for students to see the variety. Encourage them that no value is ‘wrong.’
The Value Mapping Process
- Brainstorm a list of personal values
- Place values into broad categories
- Group similar values to form themes
- Rank and reflect on your top five
Briefly walk through the four-step mapping process before doing it hands-on.
Activity: Brainstorm Values
• Spend 5 minutes writing one value per sticky note
• Think of anything important to you: family, hobbies, beliefs
• Write legibly so everyone can read your notes
Give clear instructions: hand out sticky notes and markers. Circulate to encourage quieter students to list values.
Categories of Values
Common categories to organize values:
– Personal Growth
– Relationships
– Achievement
– Community
– Health & Well-being
Show sample category headings (e.g., Personal, Social, Academic, Well-being) on the board or projector.
Group Similar Values
• Place your sticky notes under the category that fits best
• Discuss with neighbors if you’re unsure
• Notice patterns or themes emerging
Model grouping a few sample values into themes. Ask students to start clustering their notes under the projected headings.
Next Steps: Ranking Your Top Values
• Choose your top five values from the mapped list
• Rank them from most to least important using the Values Ranking Chart
• Reflect: Why did you choose this order?
Preview the Values Ranking Chart so students know what to expect next. Emphasize honest reflection over “right” choices.
Reflection & Questions
• What surprised you about your value map?
• Which themes stood out most?
• Prepare to discuss how your values guide your actions
Encourage students to share one insight or question before they move on to the discussion phase.
Worksheet
Values Ranking Chart
Directions: From your mapped list of values, select your top five and fill in the chart below. Then answer the reflection questions about your #1 value.
Top Five Values
| Rank | Core Value | Reason for Ranking |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | ____________________________ | ____________________________ |
| 2 | ____________________________ | ____________________________ |
| 3 | ____________________________ | ____________________________ |
| 4 | ____________________________ | ____________________________ |
| 5 | ____________________________ | ____________________________ |
Reflection on Your Top Value (Rank 1)
-
When have you demonstrated this value in the past? Describe the situation.
-
How did living this value make you feel or how did it impact others?
-
What challenges might you face in upholding this value in the future?
-
List two concrete steps you can take to live by this value when faced with a challenge.
Tip: Keep this chart in your journal and revisit it whenever you need a reminder of what matters most to you.
Discussion
What Matters Most? Discussion
Time: 10 minutes
Purpose: Explore how personal values shape reactions to challenges and support one another’s growth.
Discussion Guidelines
- Listen respectfully and allow each person to finish before speaking.
- Speak honestly and with kindness—there are no “wrong” answers.
- Build on others’ ideas by asking follow-up questions or sharing similar experiences.
Discussion Prompts
-
When have you felt most aligned with your top value?
- What happened and how did you act?
- How did living that value make you feel?
- Follow-up: What made that moment stand out?
-
How have your values influenced your choices when facing a challenge?
- Can you describe a specific situation?
- Follow-up: If you faced that challenge again, would you respond the same way? Why or why not?
-
Describe a time when your top value was tested.
- What made it difficult to uphold that value?
- Follow-up: What helped you stay true to it, or what might you do differently next time?
-
How can you use your top value to overcome obstacles at school or with friends?
- What concrete steps might you take?
- Follow-up: Who could support you in living out this value?
-
How might understanding each other’s values improve our group?
- In what ways can we show respect for someone else’s value?
- Follow-up: How can we hold each other accountable kindly when values are challenged?
Next Steps
- Encourage students to jot key takeaways, insights, or action ideas in their Values in Action Journal.
- Remind them to revisit their notes when they face a tough decision or interaction.
Journal
Values in Action Journal
My Top Value
What is your top-ranked core value?
Answer: ________________________________
Why is this value important to you?
Answer:
Reflecting on Challenges
Describe a recent situation where this value was tested:
Answer:
How could you apply your top value in that moment to guide your decisions?
Answer:
Action Steps
List two concrete steps you will take when you face a challenge related to this value:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
Who can support you in living out this value?
Answer: ________________________________
Goal for Next Week
What is one measurable goal you can set to practice this value in the next week?
Answer:
Tip: Use this journal whenever you face a tough choice to remind yourself of what matters most.