Lesson Plan
What Matters Most?
Students will be able to identify and articulate their personal core values, understanding how these values influence their decisions and sense of self.
Understanding personal values is a cornerstone of self-awareness and intentional living. It empowers students to make choices that align with their authentic selves, fostering well-being and resilience in the face of peer pressure and life's complexities. This lesson provides tools for navigating personal and social situations more effectively.
Audience
Teenagers/Young Adults (Middle School to Early College)
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and a hands-on values sorting activity.
Materials
Small whiteboards or large paper for each group, Markers, Value Cards Activity, My Values Reflection Journal, What Matters Most? Slide Deck, and Teacher Script: What Matters Most?
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review the What Matters Most? Slide Deck and become familiar with the content.
- Print and cut out the cards for the Value Cards Activity. You will need one set per small group.
- Print one copy of the My Values Reflection Journal for each student.
- Prepare small whiteboards or large paper and markers for each group.
- Review the Teacher Script: What Matters Most? to prepare for facilitating the lesson.
Step 1
Warm-up: Quick Poll (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Project the warm-up question from the What Matters Most? Slide Deck (Slide 2).
- Ask students: "If you could only keep three things that truly make you, YOU, what would they be? (These can be qualities, beliefs, interests, etc.)"
- Have students briefly share their responses with a partner or the small group.
- Facilitate a brief whole-group share-out, asking a few students to share one of their chosen 'things'.
Step 2
Introduction to Values (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Use the What Matters Most? Slide Deck (Slide 3) to introduce the concept of 'values.'
- Define values as core beliefs or principles that guide our actions and decisions.
- Explain why understanding our values is important (self-awareness, decision-making, navigating challenges).
- Ask students for examples of common values they might already know (e.g., honesty, kindness, success).
Step 3
Activity: Value Cards Sort (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Value Cards Activity to each small group.
- Explain the instructions: Students will work together to sort the cards into categories: 'Very Important,' 'Important,' and 'Less Important' to them personally.
- Encourage discussion within groups about why certain values are placed in particular categories.
- Circulate among groups, listening to discussions and offering clarification if needed.
Step 4
Group Discussion & Reflection (7 minutes)
7 minutes
- Bring the groups back together for a brief whole-group discussion.
- Use prompts from the What Matters Most? Slide Deck (Slide 4) and the Teacher Script: What Matters Most?:
- "What was challenging about sorting these values?"
- "Were there any values you initially thought were 'less important' but changed your mind about? Why?"
- "How do you think knowing your top values can help you in your daily life?"
- Emphasize that there are no 'right' or 'wrong' values; what matters is personal alignment.
Step 5
Cool-down: My Core Values (3 minutes)
3 minutes
- Distribute the My Values Reflection Journal to each student.
- Direct students to the cool-down section (Slide 5 on What Matters Most? Slide Deck).
- Ask them to silently write down their top 3-5 core values and one way they can live out one of those values this week.
- Collect journals or allow students to keep them for future reflection.
Slide Deck
What Matters Most?
Identifying Your Core Values
How do your beliefs shape who you are?
Welcome students and prepare for the warm-up. This slide introduces the lesson title.
Warm-up: What Makes YOU, YOU?
If you could only keep three things that truly make you, YOU, what would they be?
(These can be qualities, beliefs, interests, skills, etc.)
Share with a partner!
Facilitate the warm-up question. Give students a minute or two to think individually, then discuss in pairs or small groups, and finally, a few shares with the whole group. Emphasize that there are no wrong answers.
Understanding Your Values
What are Values?
- Core beliefs or principles that guide your actions and decisions.
- They are what you consider important in life.
Why are they important?
- Self-awareness: Knowing yourself better.
- Decision-making: Guiding your choices.
- Resilience: Helping you stay strong in challenges.
- Authenticity: Living true to who you are.
Introduce the concept of values. Define them clearly and explain their importance. Ask for student examples before moving to the activity.
Reflecting on Your Values
Let's Discuss:
- What was challenging about sorting these values?
- Were there any values you initially thought were 'less important' but changed your mind about? Why?
- How do you think knowing your top values can help you in your daily life? (Think about school, friendships, future goals).
This slide is for the discussion after the Value Cards Activity. Use these prompts to encourage deeper reflection and sharing. Ensure all students have a chance to contribute if they wish.
Cool-down: My Core Values
Take a few minutes to silently reflect and write:
- What are your top 3-5 core values?
- Choose one of your top values. How can you live out this value in your life this week?
Guide students into the cool-down reflection. Distribute the journals and instruct them to write down their top values and a way to live one out. Emphasize personal reflection.
Script
Teacher Script: What Matters Most?
Warm-up: What Makes YOU, YOU? (5 minutes)
(Display What Matters Most? Slide Deck - Slide 2)
"Welcome, everyone! Today, we're going to dive into something really personal and important: what truly matters to you. To get us started, I want you to think for a moment. If you could only keep three things that truly make you, YOU, what would they be? These aren't physical objects. Think about qualities, beliefs, interests, skills, or anything else that defines who you are. Take about 30 seconds to quietly think of your three things.
"
(Pause for students to think)
"Now, turn to a partner or share within your small group and briefly discuss your three things. Why did you choose them?"
(Allow 2-3 minutes for small group sharing. Circulate and listen.)
"Alright, let's hear from a couple of people. Who would like to share one of their chosen 'things' and why it's important to them?"
(Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses.)
Introduction to Values (5 minutes)
(Display What Matters Most? Slide Deck - Slide 3)
"Great shares, everyone. What you just talked about – those things that make you, you – are closely related to something we call values. So, what exactly are values? Look at the slide.
Values are your core beliefs or principles. They are the things you consider deeply important in life, the ideas that guide your actions and your decisions. Think of them like an internal compass.
Why is understanding our values so important? Well, for a few key reasons:
- First, they lead to self-awareness. When you know your values, you know yourself better.
- Second, they help with decision-making. When you face a tough choice, your values can help you figure out the path that's right for you.
- Third, they build resilience. When things get hard, or you face pressure, knowing what you stand for helps you stay strong.
- And finally, they help you live with authenticity, meaning you live true to who you are, rather than trying to be someone else.
Can anyone give me an example of a value you think people commonly hold? For instance, honesty or kindness?"
(Allow students to offer examples and briefly discuss.)
Activity: Value Cards Sort (10 minutes)
"Excellent examples. Now, we're going to do an activity to help you identify some of your own core values. I'm going to give each group a set of Value Cards Activity. These cards have different values written on them.
Your task, as a small group, is to sort these cards into three categories: 'Very Important,' 'Important,' and 'Less Important' to you personally. You'll discuss with your group where each value belongs. There's no right or wrong, but the discussion is key. Explain why you think a certain value is very important, or less important, to you.
(Distribute Value Cards Activity sets to each group, along with whiteboards/paper and markers.)
"You'll have about 10 minutes for this. I'll be walking around, so if you have questions or want to share something interesting you found, just let me know. Ready? Go ahead!"
(Circulate among groups. Listen to discussions, prompt with questions like: "Why did you put 'Adventure' in 'Very Important'?" or "Is there a value here that surprised you?" Provide guidance but allow students to lead the discussion.)
Group Discussion & Reflection (7 minutes)
(After 10 minutes, bring the groups back together.)
"Alright everyone, let's bring our attention back together. That was some great discussion I heard!"
(Display What Matters Most? Slide Deck - Slide 4)
"Let's reflect on that activity. First question: What was challenging about sorting these values? Was it hard to decide where some belonged?"
(Allow 1-2 students to respond.)
"Were there any values that you initially thought were 'less important' but, through discussion, you changed your mind about? Or perhaps the other way around?"
(Allow 1-2 students to respond.)
"Now, the big question: How do you think knowing your top values can help you in your daily life? Think about school, your friendships, your future goals, or even just what you do on the weekends."
(Encourage 2-3 students to share. Guide them to connect values to practical life situations.)
"Fantastic points. Remember, everyone's values are unique, and there's no right or wrong list. The goal is to understand what truly resonates with you."
Cool-down: My Core Values (3 minutes)
(Display What Matters Most? Slide Deck - Slide 5)
"To wrap up today, I'm going to hand out these My Values Reflection Journal sheets. I'd like you to take a few quiet minutes to reflect and write down your top 3-5 core values – the ones that ended up in your 'Very Important' pile, or any others that came to mind during our discussion.
Then, choose just one of those top values. Think about how you can live out that value in your life this week. What's one small action you can take that aligns with it?"
(Distribute My Values Reflection Journal and allow 2-3 minutes for students to write.)
"Alright, you can hold onto these journals for future reflection, or you can turn them in. Thank you all for your thoughtful participation today. I hope this helps you think more about what truly matters to you!"
Activity
Value Cards Activity
Instructions: With your group, sort these value cards into three piles:
- Very Important to me
- Important to me
- Less Important to me
Discuss why you place each card in its category. There are no right or wrong answers!
Cut-Out Value Cards
(Teacher: Print and cut these out before class. One set per small group.)
| Achievement | Adventure | Autonomy |
| Balance | Beauty | Caring |
| Community | Competence | Connection |
| Courage | Creativity | Curiosity |
| Dignity | Equality | **Excellence |
| Fairness | Family | Freedom |
| Friendship | Generosity | Growth |
| Happiness | Harmony | Health |
| Honesty | Humor | Independence |
| Integrity | Justice | Kindness |
| Learning | Love | Loyalty |
| Meaning | Mindfulness | Openness |
| Passion | Peace | Perseverance |
| Respect | Responsibility | Security |
| Self-Control | Service | Simplicity |
| Spirituality | Stability | Success |
| Trustworthiness | Understanding | Well-being |
Journal
My Values Reflection Journal
Take some time to reflect on the values we discussed today. What truly resonates with you?
My Core Values
Based on our activity and discussion, list your top 3-5 core values. These are the principles that you feel guide your life and decisions the most.
Living My Values
Choose one of your top values. Think about a specific, actionable way you can live out this value in your life this week. Be concrete!
My Chosen Value:
How I Will Live It Out This Week:
Additional Reflections (Optional)
Are there any other thoughts or feelings you have about your values or what you learned today?