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What Matters Most to You

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Lesson Plan

Values Discovery Journey

Students will be able to identify and articulate at least three personal core values and understand how these values influence their decisions.

Understanding personal values provides a compass for life, helping students make choices aligned with their authentic selves and build a strong sense of identity.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive activities, self-reflection, and discussion.

Materials

Whiteboard or projector, Unpacking Your Inner Compass Slide Deck, Markers or pens, Quick Values Check-In Warm-Up, Values Sort Card Game Activity, and My Top 3 Values Reflection Journal

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What Matters Most?

10 minutes

  • Begin by displaying the Quick Values Check-In Warm-Up on the whiteboard or projector.
  • Ask students to respond individually to the prompt, encouraging them to think about what is genuinely important to them.
  • After a few minutes, invite a few students to share their responses (voluntarily).
  • Introduce the concept of personal values using the Unpacking Your Inner Compass Slide Deck (Slide 1-2). Explain that values are like an inner compass, guiding their choices and shaping who they are.

Step 2

Exploring Values: Card Sort Activity

25 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
  • Distribute one set of Values Sort Card Game Activity cards to each group.
  • Explain the instructions for the card sort: students should collaboratively sort the cards into three piles: 'Very Important to Me', 'Somewhat Important to Me', and 'Least Important to Me'.
  • Circulate among groups, facilitating discussion and asking guiding questions (e.g., "Why did you place 'creativity' in the 'Very Important' pile?").
  • After sorting, ask each group to identify their top 3-5 collective values and briefly explain their choices to the class.

Step 3

Deep Dive: Reflection and Connection

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Top 3 Values Reflection Journal.
  • Instruct students to individually complete the journal prompts, encouraging them to reflect on the card sort activity and identify their personal top 3 values.
  • Emphasize the importance of providing specific reasons why each value is significant to them and how it connects to their daily life and future aspirations.

Step 4

Wrap-Up: Sharing and Application

10 minutes

  • Bring the class back together for a brief discussion.
  • Invite students to share one insight they gained about their own values or the values of their classmates.
  • Ask students how understanding their values might influence their decisions in the future (e.g., choosing friends, activities, or future careers).
  • Reiterate that values are not static and can evolve over time, but having a clear understanding of them provides a strong foundation for personal growth and decision-making.
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Slide Deck

Welcome! What Matters Most?

Our Inner Compass

  • What guides your decisions?
  • What makes you, YOU?
  • Today, we're exploring personal values!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of personal values. Explain that values are like an inner compass guiding their choices.

What Are Personal Values?

Your Inner GPS

  • Definition: Beliefs that guide your actions and decisions.
  • Examples: Honesty, kindness, creativity, courage, family, success.
  • Why they matter: Help you make choices that feel right to YOU!

Define personal values and provide examples. Emphasize that everyone's values are unique.

Values Sort Challenge!

Discover Your Core

  • Work in groups.
  • Sort value cards: "Very Important," "Somewhat Important," "Least Important."
  • Discuss and justify your choices!
  • Find your top 3-5 group values.

Explain the upcoming card sort activity and its purpose.

My Personal Compass

Time to Reflect

  • What are YOUR top 3 most important values?
  • Why are they important to you?
  • How do they guide your decisions?
  • Complete your reflection journal.

Transition to the individual reflection journal.

Living Your Values

Your North Star

  • Values are your guide.
  • They help you navigate life.
  • Living by your values brings fulfillment.
  • What's one new thing you learned about yourself today?

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the importance of values and inviting final thoughts.

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Warm Up

Quick Values Check-In

What is one thing that is really important to you, and why?













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Activity

Values Sort Card Game

Instructions:

  1. Work in your small groups (3-4 students).
  2. You will receive a set of cards, each with a different value written on it (e.g., Honesty, Creativity, Courage, Family, Success, Friendship, Learning, Adventure, Peace, Respect, Compassion, Independence, Security, Humor, Loyalty, Justice, Patience, Determination, Gratitude, Health).
  3. As a group, sort the cards into three piles:
    • "Very Important to Me": These are values that deeply resonate with you and guide many of your choices.
    • "Somewhat Important to Me": These values are good to have, but might not be your absolute top priorities.
    • "Least Important to Me": These values may not be as central to your personal beliefs, or you might prioritize others more.
  4. Discuss why you placed each card in its respective pile. Listen to each other's perspectives and try to come to a group consensus for your top 3-5 most important values.
  5. Be prepared to share your group's top values and your reasoning with the class.
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Journal

My Top 3 Values Reflection

Reflect and Respond:

  1. What are your top 3 most important values? (Consider the words from the card sort, or other values that resonate with you.)




  1. For each of your top 3 values, explain why it is important to you. (Think about a time when this value was important, or how it guides your choices.)

    • Value 1:











    • Value 2:











    • Value 3:











  2. How do you think knowing your personal values can help you in your daily life? (Think about making decisions, interacting with others, or setting goals.)













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