Lesson Plan
Values Card Activity Plan
Students will identify and clarify their core values and commit to one actionable step to enhance resilience using ACT principles.
Clarifying personal values fosters motivation and psychological flexibility, building resilience and long-term well-being.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive card sorting and reflective action planning.
Prep
Prepare Materials
5 minutes
- Print or gather the values cards from ACT Values Deck.
- Review ACT principles on values and committed action.
- Set up a quiet, comfortable space for individual work.
- Familiarize yourself with the steps in Values Sorting Game.
Step 1
Introduction to Values
5 minutes
- Welcome the student and explain session goals: explore personal values to build resilience.
- Briefly introduce ACT’s concept of values as guiding life directions.
- Emphasize confidentiality and encourage honest self-reflection.
Step 2
Values Card Sorting
15 minutes
- Provide the student with a shuffled deck from ACT Values Deck.
- Instruct them to sort cards into three piles: “Very Important,” “Somewhat Important,” and “Not Important.”
- Once sorted, have the student select their top 10 cards from the “Very Important” pile.
Step 3
Reflection & Clarification
10 minutes
- Ask the student to read each top-10 card aloud and describe why it’s important.
- Use open-ended questions: “What does this value mean to you?” “How does it show up in your life?”
- Encourage deeper exploration of any ambiguous cards.
Step 4
Identify Top Values
10 minutes
- From the 10 clarified cards, have the student choose their top 3 core values.
- Record these in the Committed Action Planner.
- Ask the student to rate alignment of each value with their current life on the Values Alignment Self-Assessment.
Step 5
Committed Action Planning
15 minutes
- For each top value, guide the student to identify one specific, achievable action they can take this week.
- Document these actions in Committed Action Planner, including when and how they will do each action.
- Discuss potential obstacles and brainstorm strategies to overcome them.
Step 6
Closure & Next Steps
5 minutes
- Review the student’s committed actions and reiterate the connection to their core values.
- Encourage the student to revisit their Committed Action Planner daily.
- Schedule a follow-up check-in to assess progress and adjust actions as needed.
Slide Deck
ACT Values Deck
Explore different personal values grouped by life domains. Take time to reflect on each and identify which resonate most with you.
Welcome the student to the ACT Values Deck. Explain that values are guiding life principles and that today’s slides will help them explore different domains. Encourage open curiosity and honest reflection.
(Use the deck’s gradient background #E3F9D2 → #9AD58A.)
Relationships
- Family
- Friendship
- Trust
- Compassion
- Support
Relationships Domain: Focus on how you connect with others. Ask the student: Which of these values feel most important in your friendships and family relationships?
Personal Growth
- Learning
- Curiosity
- Achievement
- Creativity
- Self-Improvement
Personal Growth Domain: These values drive your learning and self-improvement. Invite the student to consider which motivate them to grow.
Fun & Recreation
- Playfulness
- Adventure
- Spontaneity
- Humor
- Leisure
Fun & Recreation Domain: These values bring joy and balance. Prompt the student to notice how often they make time for fun.
Health & Well-being
- Physical Vitality
- Balance
- Self-Care
- Rest
- Nutrition
Health & Well-being Domain: These values support physical and mental wellness. Discuss how small habits can honor these values regularly.
Spiritual & Ethical
- Mindfulness
- Gratitude
- Purpose
- Integrity
- Connection
Spiritual & Ethical Domain: These values reflect your deeper sense of meaning and moral compass. Encourage the student to reflect on moments they felt most aligned with these.
Activity
Values Sorting Game
Objective: Help the student clarify and reflect on personal values by categorizing and discussing value cards.
Materials:
Time: 15 minutes
Instructions
- Shuffle and Deal (2 minutes)
- Shuffle the cards from the ACT Values Deck.
- Spread them face down on the table.
- First Sorting (5 minutes)
- The student flips each card and places it into one of three piles:
- Very Important
- Somewhat Important
- Not Important
- The student flips each card and places it into one of three piles:
- Select Top 10 (3 minutes)
- From the Very Important pile, the student picks their top 10 cards.
- Discuss and Reflect (5 minutes)
- For each of the top 10 cards, ask:
- “What does this value mean to you?”
- “Can you share an example of when this value showed up in your life?”
- Take notes on key insights and any surprises.
- For each of the top 10 cards, ask:
Follow-Up Questions
- Which values were hardest to categorize, and why?
- Were there any values you expected to rank higher or lower?
- How did this sorting reflect your current priorities?
Journal
Committed Action Planner
Use this planner to turn your top values into concrete, achievable steps. For each of your top three values, identify an action you can take this week, anticipate obstacles, and plan supports to help you follow through.
Value #1: ___________________________
Action I’ll take:
When & Where I’ll do it:
Possible Obstacles:
Strategies & Supports:
Value #2: ___________________________
Action I’ll take:
When & Where I’ll do it:
Possible Obstacles:
Strategies & Supports:
Value #3: ___________________________
Action I’ll take:
When & Where I’ll do it:
Possible Obstacles:
Strategies & Supports:
Reflection After the Week
- What went well?
- What could I improve?
- How did taking action connect to my values and build my resilience?
Rubric
Values Alignment Self-Assessment
Use the scale below to rate how well your actions this week aligned with each of your top values. Then provide specific evidence or reflections.
| Rating | Description |
|---|---|
| 5 | Full Alignment: Consistently acted according to this value and felt deeply connected. |
| 4 | Strong Alignment: Often acted according to this value with minor lapses. |
| 3 | Moderate Alignment: Occasionally acted according to this value; noticeable gaps exist. |
| 2 | Partial Alignment: Rarely acted according to this value; felt disconnected. |
| 1 | No Alignment: Did not act according to this value; no connection felt. |
Self-Assessment Table
| Value | Rating (1–5) | Evidence / Reflection |
|---|---|---|
| Value #1: ________________________ | ___ | |
| Value #2: ________________________ | ___ | |
| Value #3: ________________________ | ___ |