Value Snapshot Warm-Up

Objective: Quickly identify and reflect on your top three personal values to ground our session.

Instructions:

1. List three core values that are most important to you.
2. For each value, briefly explain why it matters in your life.
3. Notice any themes or connections among your values.

Value 1:

Why it matters:

Value 2:

Why it matters:

Value 3:

Why it matters:

Reflection:
What patterns or themes do you observe among your three values?

Barrier Brainstorm Discussion Guide

Objective: In small groups, students will identify and articulate personal barriers to living by their values, share real-life examples, and spot common patterns or themes.

Group Setup: 3–4 students per group | 10 minutes total

Instructions for Students

1. Select a Scribe & Speaker:
   • Scribe records key points on paper or whiteboard.
   • Speaker will share your group’s top discoveries during the debrief.
2. Discuss the Following Prompts:
   1. Identify Your Barriers
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • What obstacles (internal or external) have you encountered when trying to honor one of your core values?
      • Give at least one concrete example from your own life.
   2. Experience Check
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • When this barrier arises, what thoughts, feelings, or physical sensations do you notice?
      • How do you normally respond?
   3. Pattern Spotting
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • As a group, look at all barriers you’ve listed. Are there common themes (e.g., fear of judgment, lack of time, negative self-talk)?
      • Jot down 1–2 patterns you observe.
   4. Link to ACT Skills
      
      
      
      
      
      
      • Which ACT principle (Acceptance, Defusion, Present Moment, Self-as-Context, Values Clarity, Committed Action) could help with each barrier?
      • Briefly note how you might apply one skill in a real situation.
3. Prepare to Share:
   • Choose one barrier and one pattern your group discussed.
   • Be ready to explain why these stood out and how an ACT skill might help overcome them.

Teacher Tips & Follow-Ups

• Circulate and listen for rich examples—prompt quieter groups with, “Can you think of a time when…”
• If groups list only external barriers, ask, “What internal thoughts or feelings accompany that obstacle?”
• Highlight connections between groups when common themes emerge.
• Encourage specific, value-driven language rather than generic terms (e.g., say “fear of not meeting my own standards” instead of “fear”).
• Remind students this is a safe, non-judgmental space; reinforce confidentiality and respect for differing experiences.

Transition to Share-Out: After 10 minutes, invite each group’s speaker to share their selected barrier, pattern, and ACT skill application with the whole class.

Compass of Values Activity Sheet

Objective: Map your core values onto a compass framework, identify barriers for each, and brainstorm one small committed action to move toward each value.

Materials Needed:

• Compass of Values Activity Sheet printed for each student
• Pen or pencil

Instructions:

1. Recall the three core values you listed in the Value Snapshot Warm-Up (Value Snapshot Warm-Up).
2. Assign each of your values to one of the four compass directions (North, East, South, West). You may choose one value per direction or leave one direction blank if you have only three values.
3. For each direction:
   a. Write your Value.
   b. Identify one Barrier that prevents you from acting on this value regularly.
   c. Brainstorm one Committed Action—a small, achievable step you can take this week to overcome that barrier and move toward your value.
4. Reflect on which action feels most important to you and set a goal to follow through this week.

Reflection:

Which single committed action will you prioritize this week to live more in line with your values?