Lesson Plan
Colorful Values Journey
Students will be able to identify at least two personal values and understand that everyone's values are unique and beautiful, promoting empathy and understanding.
Understanding personal values helps students build a strong sense of self, appreciate differences in others, and foster a respectful and empathetic classroom community. This lesson lays the foundation for positive social-emotional development.
Audience
1st Grade
Time
40 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, engaging story time, and a collaborative art activity.
Materials
Our Class Value Rainbow (slide-deck), The Little Cloud's Big Heart (reading), Building Our Value Rainbow (activity), Crayons or markers, and Construction paper or white paper
Prep
Gather Materials & Review
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Our Class Value Rainbow, The Little Cloud's Big Heart, and Building Our Value Rainbow.
* Print copies of the Building Our Value Rainbow worksheet (one per student).
* Gather crayons or markers and construction paper for each student.
* Ensure projector and computer are set up for the Our Class Value Rainbow.
Step 1
Warm-Up: What Do You Care About?
5 minutes
- Begin by asking students: "What is something you care about very much?" Allow a few students to share their responses (e.g., family, pets, toys, kindness).
* Explain that the things we care about a lot are called 'values'. Introduce the idea of a 'value rainbow' – everyone's rainbow is different and special, just like them! Utilize the first few slides of Our Class Value Rainbow to introduce this concept.
Step 2
Story Time: The Little Cloud's Big Heart
10 minutes
- Read aloud The Little Cloud's Big Heart to the class.
* Pause at key moments to ask questions: "What value do you think the little cloud showed here?" or "How did the cloud's actions show what was important to him?"
* After reading, briefly discuss the different values seen in the story.
Step 3
Exploring Our Value Rainbow
10 minutes
- Transition to the main portion of Our Class Value Rainbow.
* Go through slides that explain different values (e.g., kindness, honesty, family, learning, courage) using simple language and examples.
* Engage students in a brief discussion about each value: "What does kindness look like?" "Why is being honest important?"
Step 4
Building Our Value Rainbow Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Building Our Value Rainbow worksheet and crayons/markers.
* Explain the activity: Students will draw or write about values that are important to them on their rainbow sections.
* Encourage them to think about what they care about, what makes them happy, and what kind of person they want to be. Provide examples if needed.
* Circulate to offer support and encouragement.
Step 5
Share and Reflect
5 minutes
- Ask a few students to share one or two values from their rainbow and explain why they chose them.
* Conclude by reiterating that everyone's value rainbow is unique and special, and it's wonderful that we all care about different things. Emphasize that understanding each other's values helps us be better friends and classmates. Reinforce key messages from Our Class Value Rainbow.
Slide Deck
Welcome to The Value Rainbow!
What do you care about?
These are your values! Everyone's values are special.
Welcome students and introduce the idea of caring about things. Ask: 'What is something you really care about?' Allow a few responses. Explain that things we care about deeply are called 'values'.
Your Unique Value Rainbow
Just like a rainbow has many colors, you have many values! Your rainbow is special, just like you.
Introduce the concept of a 'Value Rainbow' - unique for everyone. Emphasize that all colors (values) are beautiful and important.
Value: Kindness
Being nice to everyone and helping others.
It makes hearts happy!
Introduce 'Kindness'. Ask students: 'What does kindness look like?' or 'How can you show kindness?'
Value: Honesty
Always telling the truth, even when it's hard.
It helps people trust you!
Introduce 'Honesty'. Ask students: 'Why is it important to tell the truth?'
Value: Family
Loving and taking care of the people you live with, or who are special to you.
Introduce 'Family'. Discuss how family can be different for everyone, but it's about people who love and care for you.
Value: Learning
Being curious and wanting to know new things every day!
Introduce 'Learning'. Ask: 'What is your favorite thing to learn about?'
Value: Courage
Being brave and trying new things, even when you're a little scared.
Introduce 'Courage'. Ask: 'What is something brave you have done?'
Your Rainbow is Beautiful!
All your values make you special. Everyone's rainbow is different and wonderful. Let's celebrate all the colors!
Reinforce that there are many values and they all make us who we are. Remind students that their values can change and grow, just like they do!
Activity
Building Our Value Rainbow
Everyone has a special rainbow of things they care about! These are your values.
Think about what is important to you. What makes you happy? What kind of friend do you want to be? What do you love to do?
Draw or write about one value that is important to you in each section of the rainbow below.
My Value Rainbow
- Red Section: My first important value is...
- Orange Section: My next important value is...
- Yellow Section: This value is important to me because...
- Green Section: Another value I care about is...
- Blue Section: I show this value by...
- Purple Section: One more value that makes me special is...
When you are finished, you will share one or two of your values with the class!
Reading
The Little Cloud's Big Heart
Once there was a tiny, fluffy cloud named Puffy. Puffy loved to float high in the sky and watch the world below. He saw children playing, flowers growing, and animals scurrying.
One sunny morning, Puffy saw a small, brown bird fluttering its wings sadly. The bird was trying to build a nest, but it was so hot and dry, there were no soft twigs or damp mud anywhere. Puffy felt a little tear form in his cloud-eye. He knew how important a home was.
This is a chance to show kindness and helpfulness, thought Puffy. He gathered all his misty courage and gently squeezed out a tiny, soft rain shower. The ground became a little damp, and the bird found just enough mud to start its nest. The bird chirped happily, thanking Puffy with a grateful song.
Later, Puffy saw a little girl sitting alone, looking sad. All her friends were playing a game, but she didn't know the rules and was too shy to ask. Puffy remembered how it felt to be left out.
I can show empathy and friendship, Puffy decided. He drifted closer to the girl and, with a puff, made a tiny cloud-shape like a smiling face. The girl looked up, smiled, and felt a little braver. She decided to ask her friends about the game, and soon she was laughing and playing too.
As the day ended, Puffy felt warm and happy. He hadn't just floated by; he had used his unique cloud abilities to help others. He learned that his compassion and generosity made his heart feel big and bright, just like the sunset colors painting the sky.
From that day on, Puffy knew his true value wasn't just being a cloud; it was using his heart to make the world a little brighter for everyone.