Lesson Plan
Your Values, Your Superpower!
Students will be able to identify and define at least three personal values and explain how these values influence their choices and actions.
Understanding personal values helps students make thoughtful decisions, build strong relationships, and develop a sense of self. This lesson equips students with the tools to reflect on their inner compass and navigate their world with integrity.
Audience
Primary 5 Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through interactive activities, discussions, and personal reflection, students will uncover their core values.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers or pens, Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud, Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Reading: What Are Values?, Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer, Activity: Value Scenarios, Discussion: Value Shares, Game: Value Charades, Journal: My Value Story, Quiz: Value Check, Answer Key: Value Check Quiz Answer Key, Project Guide: My Value Shield Project, Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric, and Cool-Down: One Word, One Value
Prep
Review Materials and Prepare
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Your Values, Your Superpower! Lesson Plan, Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud, Reading: What Are Values?, Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer, Activity: Value Scenarios, Discussion: Value Shares, Game: Value Charades, Journal: My Value Story, Quiz: Value Check, Answer Key: Value Check Quiz Answer Key, Project Guide: My Value Shield Project, Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric, and Cool-Down: One Word, One Value.
- Ensure whiteboard or projector is ready.
- Print copies of Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer for each student.
- Prepare a large space on the board or a digital tool for the Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
10 minutes
- Begin with the Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud activity to get students thinking about positive qualities and behaviors.
- Introduce the concept of personal values using the Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower! and corresponding Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!.
Step 2
Exploring Values
15 minutes
- Distribute Reading: What Are Values? and have students read individually or in pairs.
- Facilitate a brief class discussion based on the reading, using prompts from the Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!.
- Introduce the Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer and guide students through identifying their own top values.
Step 3
Applying Values
20 minutes
- Engage students in the Activity: Value Scenarios to practice applying values to real-life situations.
- Lead a Discussion: Value Shares where students share their thoughts on the scenarios and their personal values.
- Play a quick round of Game: Value Charades to reinforce understanding of different values.
Step 4
Wrap-Up & Assessment
15 minutes
- Have students complete the Journal: My Value Story for personal reflection.
- Administer the Quiz: Value Check to assess understanding. Review answers using the Answer Key: Value Check Quiz Answer Key as needed.
- Introduce the long-term Project Guide: My Value Shield Project and explain the Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric.
- Conclude with the Cool-Down: One Word, One Value activity.
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Slide Deck
Your Values, Your Superpower!
Discovering what truly matters to YOU!
Welcome students and introduce the exciting topic of personal values. Explain that this lesson will help them discover what's truly important to them.
What Are Values?
✨ Values are the beliefs and ideas that are important to us.
They are like our inner compass, guiding our decisions and actions.
Examples: Kindness, Honesty, Respect, Bravery, Creativity
Explain what values are using simple language and provide a few relatable examples. Ask students if they can think of any examples.
Why Are Values Important?
🧭 They help you make choices.
When you know your values, it's easier to decide what's right for you.
🌟 They show who you are.
Your values are a big part of your identity and what makes you special.
Discuss why identifying personal values is beneficial. Connect it to making good choices and feeling good about themselves. Ask: "How can knowing your values help you?"
Finding Your Values
How do you figure out what your values are?
- What makes you feel happy and proud?
- What do you care about deeply?
- What qualities do you admire in others?
Guide students to think about things they care about, their heroes, or moments they felt proud. This slide sets up the Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer.
Values in Action
Your values don't just sit in your head! They show up in:
- The choices you make.
- How you treat others.
- The things you spend your time on.
- How you react to challenges.
Explain that values aren't just ideas; they are put into practice. This slide transitions into the activity and discussion components.
Your Value Shield Project
You'll create a special 'Value Shield' to represent your most important values!
More details in your Project Guide: My Value Shield Project!
Briefly introduce the upcoming project as a creative way to showcase their learning. Mention the guide and rubric.
Script
Your Values, Your Superpower! Script
Introduction (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Good morning/afternoon everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure – an adventure inside ourselves! We're going to explore something super important that helps us navigate the world and make us who we are. It’s like having a secret superpower that guides your choices! Any guesses what that might be?"
(Teacher waits for responses, then continues): "We're talking about personal values! Has anyone heard that term before? What do you think it means?"
(Teacher clarifies): "Personal values are like your inner compass. They are the things you believe are important in life and the way you think things should be. For example, if you believe being honest is really important, then honesty is one of your values!"
Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "To get us thinking, let's create a 'Value Word Cloud'! I want you to think of words that describe good qualities, things you care about, or how you think people should act. When I say 'go', you'll shout out words, and I'll write them on the board, or you can add them to our digital word cloud! Think about things like 'kindness', 'bravery', 'fairness'. Ready? Go!"
(Teacher facilitates the Warm-Up: Value Word Cloud for 2-3 minutes, then says): "Wow, look at all these amazing words! These are all examples of values. Great job, everyone!"
Introducing Values with the Slide Deck (10 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Now, let's dive a bit deeper with our slides. Take a look at the screen!"
(Teacher navigates to Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower! - Slide 1: 'Your Values, Your Superpower!')
(Teacher says): "This is our theme for today! Your values are truly your superpower because they give you strength and direction."
(Teacher navigates to Slide 2: 'What Are Values?')
(Teacher says): "As we just discussed, values are those core beliefs that are important to us. They guide us like a compass. Who can give me an example of a value they see listed here or one they thought of earlier?"
(Teacher encourages responses, then navigates to Slide 3: 'Why Are Values Important?')
(Teacher says): "So, why bother knowing your values? Because they help you make choices! When you know what's important to you, it's easier to decide what to do in different situations. They also show who you are – your unique self!"
(Teacher navigates to Slide 4: 'Finding Your Values')
(Teacher says): "How do we figure out our values? We ask ourselves questions: What makes you happy and proud? What do you care about? What qualities do you admire in friends, family, or even characters in books? Keep these questions in mind as we continue."
(Teacher navigates to Slide 5: 'Values in Action')
(Teacher says): "Values aren't just words; they're actions! They show up in how you choose your friends, how you work on projects, and even how you react when things get tough. They are a part of your everyday life."
Reading: What Are Values? (10 minutes)
(Teacher says): "To help us understand values even better, we're going to read a short passage called Reading: What Are Values?. Please read this quietly to yourselves, or with a partner if I assign you one. Pay close attention to the examples of values mentioned."
(Teacher distributes Reading: What Are Values? and allows students time to read. After reading, teacher says): "Alright, what did you learn from the reading? Were there any new values mentioned that you hadn't thought of? Any questions about the reading?"
Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer (15 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Now it's your turn to start exploring your own values! I'm giving you a Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer. This worksheet has a list of values, and I want you to circle the ones that resonate with you – the ones that feel important to who you are. Then, choose your top 3-5 values and write why they are important to you."
(Teacher distributes the worksheet and circulates to assist students. After sufficient time, teacher says): "Take a few more minutes to finish up your top values. It's okay if it's hard to choose, just pick the ones that speak to you most today."
Activity: Value Scenarios (10 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Let's see how values play out in real life! I have some Activity: Value Scenarios for us. I'll read a situation, and I want you to think about what value might be at play and what someone who holds that value might do. We'll discuss each one as a class."
(Teacher presents scenarios one by one, facilitating discussion):
- Scenario 1: "Your friend forgot their lunch, and you have an extra sandwich. What value might guide your decision, and what would you do?"
- Scenario 2: "You accidentally broke a classmate's pencil. What value would help you decide what to do next?"
- Scenario 3: "You're working on a group project, and one person isn't doing their share. What value might be important to you in this situation?"
Discussion: Value Shares (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "That was excellent! Now, let's have a brief Discussion: Value Shares. I'd like to invite anyone who feels comfortable to share one value they identified on their worksheet and why it's important to them, or how they might use it in their daily life. Remember to listen respectfully to your classmates."
(Teacher facilitates discussion, ensuring a safe and supportive environment.)
Game: Value Charades (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Time for a quick and fun game to solidify our understanding! We're going to play Game: Value Charades! I'll whisper a value to a volunteer, and they will act it out without speaking. The rest of the class will guess the value! Let's see how many we can get!"
(Teacher facilitates the game for a few rounds.)
Journal: My Value Story (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Great energy! Now, for some quiet reflection. I'm handing out a Journal: My Value Story prompt. I want you to think about a time you demonstrated one of your personal values, or a time you saw someone else demonstrate a value you admire. Write a short story or reflection about it. This is for your eyes only, unless you choose to share."
(Teacher distributes journals and allows students to write.)
Quiz & Project Introduction (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "To see how much you've learned about values today, we'll quickly do a Quiz: Value Check. Please complete this individually. Afterwards, we'll talk about an exciting project!"
(Teacher distributes and supervises the quiz. Once collected, teacher says): "Excellent work on the quiz! Now, for something creative! You're going to create a 'Value Shield' to represent your most important values. Think of it like a coat of arms, but for your character! I've got a Project Guide: My Value Shield Project and a Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric to explain everything. We'll start this next time, but you can look them over now."
(Teacher navigates to Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower! - Slide 6: 'Your Value Shield Project')
(Teacher quickly explains the project, emphasizing creativity.)
Cool-Down: One Word, One Value (5 minutes)
(Teacher says): "Alright everyone, as we wrap up, I want us to do a quick Cool-Down: One Word, One Value. Think about today's lesson. In just ONE word, what is one value that stood out to you, or one new thing you learned about values? When I point to you, share your word. This is our exit ticket for today."
(Teacher points to students, allowing each to share one word.)
(Teacher says): "Fantastic words! Remember, your values are your superpower. Keep thinking about them and how they guide you. Great job today, everyone!"
Warm Up
Value Word Cloud Warm-Up
Instructions: Think about good qualities, important beliefs, or how people should act. Shout out words, and your teacher will add them to our class word cloud! Be ready to explain why your word is a good value!
Examples to get you started:
- Kindness
- Honesty
- Fairness
- Bravery
- Respect
Reading
What Are Values?
Have you ever wondered what makes you, you? What are the special things that are important to you? These important beliefs are called personal values!
Your Inner Compass
Think of your values like an inner compass. Just like a compass helps you find your way, your values help you decide what's right and wrong, what choices to make, and how to treat others. They guide you in life and show you what matters most.
Common Values
Many people share similar values. Here are some examples:
- Honesty: Telling the truth, even when it's hard.
- Kindness: Being nice, caring, and helpful to others.
- Responsibility: Being dependable and taking care of your duties.
- Respect: Treating others and yourself with consideration and dignity.
- Courage: Being brave and standing up for what's right.
- Fairness: Treating everyone equally and justly.
- Creativity: Using your imagination to make new things or solve problems.
- Friendship: Being a good friend and valuing your relationships.
Values in Action
Your values aren't just words; they are things you do! If kindness is a value for you, you might share your toys, help a friend who is sad, or use gentle words. If honesty is important, you'll tell the truth about what happened, even if it means admitting a mistake.
Knowing your personal values helps you understand yourself better. It helps you make good choices that feel right for you and helps you be the best version of yourself! What values are important to you?
Worksheet
My Personal Values Explorer
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
Instructions: Read through the list of values below. Circle any values that you think are important to you. Then, choose your top 3 to 5 values and write them in the boxes below, explaining why each one is important to you.
Value List
- Honesty
- Kindness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Courage
- Fairness
- Friendship
- Creativity
- Perseverance
- Generosity
- Patience
- Loyalty
- Compassion
- Curiosity
- Independence
- Humor
- Gratitude
- Determination
- Peace
- Equality
My Top Values
-
My Top Value: _________________________
Why is this important to me?
-
My Top Value: _________________________
Why is this important to me?
-
My Top Value: _________________________
Why is this important to me?
-
My Top Value (Optional): _________________________
Why is this important to me?
-
My Top Value (Optional): _________________________
Why is this important to me?
Activity
Value Scenarios Activity
Instructions: Your teacher will read out different situations. For each scenario, think about the values that might be involved and how someone who holds those values might act. Be ready to share your thoughts with the class!
Scenario 1: The Extra Sandwich
Your friend forgot their lunch, and you have an extra sandwich you were planning to save for later. What value might guide your decision, and what would you do?
Scenario 2: The Broken Pencil
You accidentally bumped into your classmate's desk and broke their favorite pencil. What value would help you decide what to do next?
Scenario 3: The Group Project
You're working on a group project, and one person isn't doing their share. Everyone else is working hard, but this person is just playing. What value might be important to you in this situation, and what could you do?
Scenario 4: Finding Money
You find a wallet full of money on the playground. No one is around. What value would influence your choice, and what would you do with the wallet?
Discussion
Value Shares Discussion
Instructions: Now it's time to share and listen! We'll have a class discussion about the personal values you identified and how they connect to your life.
Discussion Prompts:
-
What is one personal value you identified on your Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer?
-
Why is that value important to you?
-
Can you think of a time when you or someone you know demonstrated this value?
-
How can understanding our values help us get along better as a class or in our community?
-
Is there a value you admire in someone else that you'd like to develop in yourself?
Remember to listen respectfully to your classmates and give everyone a chance to share.
Game
Value Charades Game
Instructions: We're going to play a game of Value Charades! Your teacher will give a secret value to a volunteer. That student will act out the value without speaking, and the rest of the class will guess what value they are demonstrating.
How to Play:
- A student volunteer comes to the front.
- The teacher whispers a value (e.g., honesty, kindness, courage) to the volunteer.
- The volunteer acts out a situation or behavior that demonstrates that value.
- Classmates raise their hands to guess the value.
- The first student to guess correctly can be the next actor, or the teacher can choose a new volunteer.
Example Values for Charades:
- Sharing (Generosity)
- Helping a friend (Kindness, Friendship)
- Admitting a mistake (Honesty, Responsibility)
- Standing up for someone (Courage, Fairness)
- Listening carefully (Respect)
- Cleaning up a mess (Responsibility)
- Imagining and drawing (Creativity)
Let's have fun acting out our values!
Journal
My Value Story Journal
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________
Instructions: Think about a time when you showed one of your personal values, or a time you saw someone else show a value that you really admire. Write a short story or reflection about what happened, what value was involved, and how it made you feel or what you learned.
Quiz
Value Check Quiz
Answer Key
Value Check Quiz Answer Key
1. What are personal values?
Correct Answer: Beliefs and ideas that are important to you
Thought Process: The lesson defined personal values as the core beliefs and ideas that guide a person's life and decisions. The other options are irrelevant or too narrow.
2. Which of these is an example of the value 'Honesty'?
Correct Answer: Telling the truth about breaking a vase
Thought Process: Honesty specifically refers to truthfulness. Sharing toys relates to generosity/kindness, helping with homework relates to kindness/friendship, and playing fairly relates to fairness/respect. Telling the truth directly exemplifies honesty.
3. Why is it important to know your own personal values? Give one reason.
Correct Answer: Knowing your values helps you make good choices/decisions, or helps you understand yourself better, or helps you treat others well.
Thought Process: The lesson emphasized that values act as an inner compass, aiding in decision-making and shaping one's identity and interactions with others. Any of these key benefits would be a correct answer.
4. If 'Kindness' is an important value to you, what might you do?
Correct Answer: Help a classmate who is struggling
Thought Process: Kindness involves being friendly, generous, and considerate. Helping someone who is struggling is a direct act of kindness. The other options describe negative or non-kind behaviors.
5. Name one personal value that is important to you and briefly explain why.
Correct Answer: Answers will vary, but should name a value (e.g., Respect, Responsibility) and a brief, relevant explanation.
Thought Process: This is an open-response question designed to assess individual student reflection and understanding. The answer key acknowledges that responses will differ but should demonstrate comprehension of what a value is and its personal significance. Example:
Project Guide
My Value Shield Project Guide
Project Goal: Create a personal 'Value Shield' that creatively represents your most important personal values. This shield will be a symbol of what guides you and makes you unique!
Why a Shield? In ancient times, shields were used to protect warriors and also to display symbols that represented their family, beliefs, or strengths. Your Value Shield will be a creative way to show your inner strengths and guiding principles.
Project Steps:
-
Identify Your Core Values (Review): Look back at your Worksheet: My Personal Values Explorer. Re-read the values you circled and the top 3-5 you chose. These will be the foundation of your shield.
-
Brainstorm Symbols & Colors:
- For each of your top values, think of a symbol, an image, or a color that represents it. For example:
- Kindness: A heart, helping hands, a warm sun
- Honesty: A light bulb, a clear path
- Courage: A lion, a mountain peak, a superhero symbol
- Creativity: A paintbrush, a lightbulb, colorful splatters
- Also, consider colors that evoke the feeling of your values. Blue for peace, green for growth, yellow for happiness, etc.
- For each of your top values, think of a symbol, an image, or a color that represents it. For example:
-
Design Your Shield Layout:
- Decide on the shape of your shield. You can draw a traditional shield shape, a star, a circle, or any shape that feels right to you.
- Divide your shield into sections (one for each of your top values). You can also have a central design that represents you overall.
-
Create Your Value Shield:
- Materials: You can use paper, cardboard, or even a digital drawing program. You'll need colored pencils, markers, crayons, paint, or cut-out images from magazines (if allowed).
- Draw/Paste Symbols: In each section, draw or paste the symbols and colors you brainstormed for your values.
- Add Your Name/Motto (Optional): You can include your name or a short motto that relates to your values.
-
Write a Short Explanation:
- On a separate piece of paper, write a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining your Value Shield. For each value represented, describe:
- What the value is.
- What symbol/color you used to represent it.
- Why that value is important to you.
- On a separate piece of paper, write a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) explaining your Value Shield. For each value represented, describe:
Presentation (Optional):
Be prepared to share your Value Shield and your explanation with the class! This is a chance to show off your creativity and what makes you special.
Due Date: [Teacher will specify date]
Remember to refer to the Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric to understand how your project will be assessed.
Good luck, and have fun creating your powerful Value Shield!
Rubric
My Value Shield Project Rubric
Student Name: _________________________
Project: My Value Shield
This rubric will be used to assess your 'My Value Shield' project. Please review it carefully to understand the expectations.
| Criteria | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Developing | 1 - Needs Support | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Identification of Values | Clearly identifies 4-5 personal values; demonstrates a deep understanding of each. | Clearly identifies 3 personal values; demonstrates a good understanding of each. | Identifies 1-2 personal values; understanding is basic or unclear. | Struggles to identify personal values or lists unrelated concepts. | |
| Symbolic Representation | Each value is represented by a creative, original, and highly relevant symbol/image and/or color. | Each value is represented by a relevant symbol/image and/or color. | Symbols/colors are present but may not clearly represent the chosen values. | Little to no symbolic representation of values. | |
| Creativity & Design | Shield is highly creative, visually appealing, and shows exceptional effort in design and execution. | Shield is creative, visually appealing, and shows good effort in design and execution. | Shield is basic in design; some effort shown, but could be more creative. | Little effort in design; appears rushed or incomplete. | |
| Written Explanation | Explanation is well-written, clear, and thoroughly explains all chosen values, symbols, and personal significance (3-5 sentences per value). | Explanation is clear and explains chosen values, symbols, and personal significance (at least 3 sentences total). | Explanation is brief or unclear; struggles to connect values to symbols or personal significance. | No written explanation or explanation is off-topic. | |
| Effort & Completion | Project is complete, polished, and demonstrates outstanding effort and attention to detail. | Project is complete and demonstrates good effort. | Project is mostly complete but shows some lack of effort or attention to detail. | Project is incomplete or shows minimal effort. | |
| Total Score |
Teacher Comments:
Cool Down
One Word, One Value Cool-Down
Instructions: Think about everything we discussed and learned today about personal values. When your teacher points to you, share just ONE WORD that represents:
- A value that stood out to you,
- Something new you learned about values, or
- How you feel about your own values after this lesson.
This is your exit ticket for today!
(Teacher Note: Encourage quick, thoughtful responses to gauge understanding and personal connection to the topic.)
Lesson Plan
Your Values, Your Superpower!
Students will be able to define personal values, identify at least three of their own personal values, and explain how these values influence their decisions and actions.
Understanding personal values is crucial for students to develop self-awareness, make informed choices, and build a strong foundation for their character. This lesson empowers them to recognize what's truly important to them.
Audience
5th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Through engaging activities, discussions, and reflection, students will explore and articulate their personal values.
Materials
Whiteboard or projector, Markers/pens, Sticky notes, Warm-Up: Value Sort Cards, Reading: What Are Values?, Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Worksheet: My Values Compass, Activity: Value Scenarios, Game: Value Charades, Quiz: Value Check-in, Project Guide: My Value Shield, Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric, Discussion Prompts: Sharing Our Values, Cool-Down: One Word, One Value, Answer Key: Value Check-in, Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!, and Journal Prompt: My Values Story
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review all generated materials: Lesson Plan: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!, Worksheet: My Values Compass, Reading: What Are Values?, Discussion Prompts: Sharing Our Values, Activity: Value Scenarios, Game: Value Charades, Quiz: Value Check-in, Test: Values in Action, Answer Key: Value Check-in, Project Guide: My Value Shield, Rubric: My Value Shield Rubric, Warm-Up: Value Sort Cards, Cool-Down: One Word, One Value, Journal Prompt: My Values Story.
- Print copies of Worksheet: My Values Compass (one per student).
- Print copies of Warm-Up: Value Sort Cards and cut out the cards (one set per small group).
- Prepare scenarios for Activity: Value Scenarios.
- Gather materials for the 'My Value Shield' project, such as paper, drawing supplies, and optional craft materials.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Value Sort
10 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower!.
- Distribute Warm-Up: Value Sort Cards to small groups.
- Instruct students to sort the cards into 'Very Important to Me,' 'Somewhat Important,' and 'Not Important Right Now.'
- Facilitate a brief class discussion using prompts from the Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!.
Step 2
Introduction to Values
10 minutes
- Use slides 2-4 of the Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower! to introduce personal values.
- Read aloud or have students read Reading: What Are Values?.
- Lead a short discussion on 'What are values?' and 'Why are they important?' using the Script: Your Values, Your Superpower!.
Step 3
Identifying Personal Values
15 minutes
- Distribute the Worksheet: My Values Compass.
- Guide students through the worksheet, encouraging them to think about what matters most to them.
- Provide examples and support as needed. Refer to the Script: Your Values, Your Superpower! for prompts and guidance.
Step 4
Activity: Value Scenarios
10 minutes
- Present various scenarios where characters have to make decisions based on their values. (See Activity: Value Scenarios for examples).
- Divide students into pairs or small groups to discuss how different values might lead to different choices.
- Have groups share one scenario and their conclusions with the class.
Step 5
Discussion & Sharing
10 minutes
- Use the Discussion Prompts: Sharing Our Values to facilitate a class discussion.
- Encourage students to share one value they identified and why it's important to them.
- Emphasize respect for diverse values within the classroom community.
Step 6
Cool-Down: One Word, One Value
5 minutes
- Present the Cool-Down: One Word, One Value prompt.
- Ask students to write down one word that represents a value they learned about or reaffirmed today.
- Collect responses as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Your Values, Your Superpower!
What guides your choices?
What makes you, YOU?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of personal values. Explain that today we'll be exploring what makes us unique and what's important to us.
What Are Values?
Values are the beliefs and principles that guide our lives.
They are what we consider important and good.
Think of them as your inner compass!
Introduce the concept of values. Ask students to think about what values mean to them before revealing the definition. Use the warm-up activity to get them thinking.
Why Do Values Matter?
Values help us:
- Make good choices.
- Understand ourselves better.
- Show others who we are.
- Live a happy and meaningful life!
Explain why values are important, connecting it to decision-making and personal identity. Emphasize that everyone's values are unique and valid.
Common Values Examples
- Honesty: Telling the truth.
- Kindness: Being nice and caring.
- Respect: Treating others and yourself with consideration.
- Responsibility: Doing what you say you will do.
- Creativity: Imagining new ideas.
- Bravery: Being courageous.
Provide examples of common values to help students understand the concept better. Ask them to think if any of these resonate with them.
Find Your Inner Compass!
It's time to discover YOUR personal values!
Use your My Values Compass Worksheet to explore what truly matters to you.
Introduce the "My Values Compass" worksheet. Explain that this activity will help them identify their own unique values. Encourage thoughtful reflection.
Values in Action: Scenarios!
How do values guide our actions?
Let's explore some situations where people make choices based on their values.
Work with your group to discuss and decide!
Explain the 'Value Scenarios' activity. Divide students into groups and give them time to discuss. Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers, but rather different perspectives based on values.
Share Your Superpower!
What values did you discover today?
How can your values help you be a superhero in your own life and for others?
Facilitate a class discussion. Encourage students to share their identified values and why they are important. Create a safe and respectful environment for sharing.
Your Values: Your Guiding Stars!
Remember, your values are like guiding stars that help you navigate life.
They make you special and powerful!
What one word represents a value you learned today? Cool-Down: One Word, One Value
Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the idea that their values are powerful and unique. Explain the cool-down activity.
Script
Your Values, Your Superpower! Script
Warm-Up: Value Sort (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to embark on an exciting journey to discover something very special about ourselves: our personal values. Think of your values as your inner superpower – they guide you, they make you unique, and they help you make important decisions.
To start, I'm going to give each group a set of cards. On each card, you'll find a word, like 'kindness' or 'bravery'. Your task is to sort these cards into three piles: 'Very Important to Me,' 'Somewhat Important,' and 'Not Important Right Now.' There are no wrong answers, just what feels right to you."
(Allow students time to sort the Warm-Up: Value Sort Cards. Circulate and observe, offering support if needed.)
Teacher: "Now that you've had a chance to sort your cards, let's hear from a few groups. Can someone share one value that they put in their 'Very Important to Me' pile and tell us why it feels important to them?"
(Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging different students to share. Use prompts like: "Did anyone else choose that value? Why do you think that value is important? What does it look like when someone shows that value?")
Introduction to Values (10 minutes)
Teacher: "That was a fantastic start! We've already begun to explore what matters to us. Let's look at our Slide Deck: Your Values, Your Superpower! now. (Display Slide 2: What Are Values?)
So, what exactly are these 'values' we're talking about? Take a moment to read our Reading: What Are Values? quietly or with a partner. We'll discuss it afterwards."
(Allow time for students to read.)
Teacher: "Who can tell us, in their own words, what a value is?"
Teacher: "Excellent! Values are those core beliefs and principles that guide our lives. They're like an invisible compass that helps us navigate the world. (Display Slide 3: Why Do Values Matter?) Why do you think these values are so important in our lives? How do they help us?"
Teacher: "You got it! They help us make good choices, understand ourselves, and show the world who we are. (Display Slide 4: Common Values Examples) Here are a few examples. Does anyone recognize any of these from our card sort?"
Identifying Personal Values (15 minutes)
Teacher: "Now that we have a good understanding of what values are and why they matter, it's your turn to really dig deep and find your own inner compass! I'm going to hand out the Worksheet: My Values Compass."
(Distribute the worksheets.)
Teacher: "On this worksheet, you'll find different sections to help you think about what's truly important to you. Think about your family, your friends, your favorite activities, and even what makes you feel proud. There are no right or wrong answers, only your answers. Take your time, think carefully, and write down what comes to mind. I'll be walking around to help if you have any questions."
(Circulate and assist students. Encourage them to use the examples from the slides or their own ideas. Prompt with questions like: "What makes you feel happy when you do it? What makes you feel proud of yourself? What kind of friend do you want to be?")
Activity: Value Scenarios (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Wonderful work, everyone! It's clear you've been thinking deeply about your values. Now, let's see how these values play out in real life. (Display Slide 6: Values in Action: Scenarios!)
I'm going to present some short scenarios. In your small groups, I want you to discuss what the characters in the scenarios might do, based on different values. For example, if a character values 'honesty,' how might they act differently than if they value 'friendship' above all else? You can find these scenarios in our Activity: Value Scenarios."
(Present the scenarios one by one or give groups a few to work through. Encourage discussion and critical thinking.)
Teacher: "Let's have each group share one scenario and tell us what they discussed. What did you learn about how values can lead to different choices?"
Discussion & Sharing (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Fantastic discussions! It's so interesting to see how different values can guide our decisions. (Display Slide 7: Share Your Superpower!)
Now, let's come back together as a whole class for our Discussion Prompts: Sharing Our Values. I'd love for each of you to share one value that you identified today that is very important to you, and tell us why. Remember to listen respectfully to your classmates, because everyone's values are important and unique."
(Facilitate the discussion, ensuring all students have an opportunity to share if they wish. Reiterate the importance of respecting diverse perspectives.)
Cool-Down: One Word, One Value (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Thank you all for sharing your insights and for being so thoughtful today. You've truly started to uncover your inner superpowers! (Display Slide 8: Your Values: Your Guiding Stars!)
For our cool-down, on a sticky note or a small piece of paper, I want you to write down just one word that represents a value you either learned about today or that was reaffirmed as important to you. This is your exit ticket for today's lesson. Think about that one guiding star that resonated with you most."
(Collect the Cool-Down: One Word, One Value responses as students leave.)
Worksheet
My Values Compass
Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________
Your values are like a compass that helps guide your choices and actions. What matters most to you? Let's explore!
Part 1: What Makes Me Happy?
Think about things that make you feel joyful, proud, or excited. What are you doing when you feel this way? (Circle or write down your ideas)
- Helping others
- Learning new things
- Being creative (drawing, singing, building)
- Playing with friends/family
- Spending time in nature
- Being honest
- Being kind
- Being brave
- Solving problems
- Making people laugh
- Being fair
- Taking care of animals
Part 2: What's Important to Me?
Read the values below. Put a ⭐ next to the 5 values that are most important to you. If there's a value not listed that's important to you, write it in!
- ___ Honesty: Telling the truth, being sincere.
- ___ Kindness: Being caring, compassionate, and friendly.
- ___ Respect: Treating others and yourself with consideration.
- ___ Responsibility: Doing what you say you will do, being reliable.
- ___ Courage (Bravery): Being brave, standing up for what is right.
- ___ Creativity: Being imaginative, having new ideas.
- ___ Fairness: Treating everyone equally, being just.
- ___ Perseverance: Never giving up, trying your best.
- ___ Curiosity: Wanting to learn and explore.
- ___ Friendship: Having close relationships with others.
- ___ Family: Valuing your family and spending time with them.
- ___ Generosity: Sharing what you have with others.
- ___ Humor: Enjoying laughter and making others smile.
- ___ Loyalty: Being faithful and supportive to people you care about.
- ___ Peace: Wanting harmony and calm.
- ___ Hard Work: Putting effort into tasks.
My own important value: _____________________________
Part 3: My Top 3 Values
From the values you starred or wrote down, choose the TOP 3 most important values to you. Write them below and explain why each one is important.
-
My Top Value: _____________________________
Why it's important to me: -
My Second Value: _____________________________
Why it's important to me: -
My Third Value: _____________________________
Why it's important to me:
Part 4: Values in Action!
Think about a time when you showed one of your top values. Describe what happened.
Reading
What Are Values?
Have you ever wondered what makes you, you? What are the things that are really important to you, deep down inside? These important ideas and beliefs are called personal values.
Imagine you have a special compass inside you. This compass doesn't point north, south, east, or west. Instead, it points to what you believe is good, right, and meaningful. That's your values compass!
What do values look like?
Values aren't things you can touch, like a toy or a book. They are ideas and feelings that guide your actions and choices. Here are some examples of values:
- Honesty: This means always telling the truth, even when it's hard. If honesty is a value for you, you'll try to be truthful in everything you say and do.
- Kindness: This is about being nice, friendly, and caring towards others. If kindness is important to you, you'll often think about how your actions affect other people's feelings.
- Respect: This means treating people, animals, and the environment with care and consideration. If you value respect, you'll listen to others' ideas and treat things gently.
- Responsibility: This is about doing what you say you will do and taking care of your duties. If responsibility is one of your values, you'll make sure to finish your homework and clean up your messes.
- Bravery: This means being courageous and standing up for what you believe is right, even if it's a little scary. If bravery is your value, you might try new things or speak up when you see something unfair.
Why are values important?
Your personal values are super important because they help you in many ways:
- They guide your decisions: When you have a choice to make, your values help you decide what's the best path for you.
- They help you understand yourself: Knowing your values helps you know who you are and what makes you happy.
- They help you understand others: When you know about values, you can better understand why other people make the choices they do.
- They help you live a good life: Living according to your values can make you feel proud, happy, and confident.
Everyone has different values, and that's what makes us all unique and special! Your values are your superpower, helping you to be the best version of yourself.
Discussion
Sharing Our Values: Discussion Prompts
Let's talk about the incredible values we've been exploring! Remember, everyone's values are unique and special, just like them. There are no right or wrong answers, only what feels true to you.
Discussion Questions:
- What is one value you discovered or reaffirmed today that is very important to you? Why does it resonate with you?
- Can you think of a time when you saw someone (maybe a friend, family member, or even a character in a book or movie) act in a way that showed one of their strong values? What happened?
- How does knowing your own values make you feel? Does it help you understand yourself better?
- Why is it important for us to respect that other people might have different values than we do?
- How can living by your values help you make good choices in your life, both at school and at home?
- If you could share one value with the whole world, what would it be and why?
Activity
Value Scenarios: What Would You Do?
Instructions: Read each scenario with your group. Discuss what you think the person in the story might do based on different values. How might their actions change if they valued one thing more than another?
Scenario 1: The Lost Wallet
Maya is walking home from school and sees a wallet on the ground. She picks it up and sees there's money inside, and also an ID card with a name and address. She knows the person who lost it must be very sad.
- If Maya highly values Honesty, what might she do?
- If Maya highly values Helpfulness, what might she do?
Scenario 2: The Group Project
Leo is working on a group project with two classmates. One of his classmates, Sam, isn't doing much work and is playing games on his tablet during class. The project is due tomorrow.
- If Leo highly values Fairness, what might he do?
- If Leo highly values Friendship (and doesn't want to upset Sam), what might he do?
Scenario 3: The New Kid
A new student, Chloe, joins your class. During recess, you see her sitting alone on a bench, looking a little shy. Your friends are playing a fun game of soccer and invite you to join.
- If you highly value Kindness, what might you do?
- If you highly value Fun (and want to play soccer with your friends), what might you do?
Scenario 4: The Broken Toy
You are playing with your younger sibling and accidentally break their favorite toy. They are very upset. You know your parents will be disappointed if they find out you broke it.
- If you highly value Responsibility, what might you do?
- If you highly value Honesty, what might you do?
Scenario 5: The Secret
Your best friend tells you a secret and asks you not to tell anyone. Later, another friend asks you directly about the secret.
- If you highly value Loyalty, what might you do?
- If you highly value Honesty (and feel uncomfortable keeping secrets), what might you do?
Game
Value Charades: Act It Out!
Goal: To help students recognize and demonstrate different personal values through acting.
Materials:
- Slips of paper with different values written on them (e.g., Honesty, Kindness, Bravery, Responsibility, Generosity, Respect, Patience, Creativity, Friendship, Fairness).
- A hat or bowl to draw from.
Instructions:
- Preparation: Before the game, prepare slips of paper with various values. Make sure to have enough for several rounds and include values discussed in the lesson.
- Divide into Teams: Divide the class into two or more teams.
- Explain the Rules:
- One student from a team will come to the front and draw a value slip from the hat.
- Without speaking, they must act out a situation or action that demonstrates that value.
- Their team has 1-2 minutes to guess the value.
- If their team guesses correctly within the time limit, they get a point.
- If their team cannot guess, another team can try to guess for a bonus point (optional).
- Demonstrate: Briefly demonstrate an example (e.g., for "kindness," pretend to help someone who dropped their books).
- Start the Game: Have teams take turns sending up a player to act. Encourage clear, exaggerated actions that clearly represent the value.
- Discussion: After each round or a few rounds, take a moment to discuss: "What did you see in their acting that showed [Value]?" or "Can you think of another way someone might show [Value]?"
Value Ideas for Slips:
- Honesty
- Kindness
- Respect
- Responsibility
- Bravery (Courage)
- Fairness
- Generosity
- Patience
- Curiosity
- Friendship
- Perseverance
- Creativity
- Loyalty
- Compassion
- Gratitude
Extension:
- Instead of just guessing the value, students can also briefly explain how the action demonstrated the value.
- Challenge students to think of a value not on the list and act it out.
Quiz
Value Check-in
Test
Values in Action
Answer Key
Value Check-in Answer Key
Quiz: Value Check-in
-
What are personal values?
- Correct Answer: The beliefs and principles that guide your life.
- Explanation: Personal values are your core beliefs about what is important in life, influencing your decisions and actions.
-
Why are values important?
- Correct Answer: They help you make good choices and understand yourself.
- Explanation: Values serve as an internal compass, helping individuals navigate choices and develop self-awareness.
-
Which of these is an example of the value 'Honesty'?
- Correct Answer: Telling the truth about what happened.
- Explanation: Honesty is specifically about truthfulness and integrity.
-
If 'Kindness' is an important value to you, what might you do?
- Correct Answer: Help a classmate who dropped their books.
- Explanation: Kindness involves showing care and compassion towards others through actions.
-
Name one personal value that is important to you and explain why.
- Correct Answer: Answers will vary but should name a value (e.g., Honesty, Kindness, Respect, Responsibility, Bravery) and provide a reasonable explanation for its importance to the student.
Test: Values in Action Answer Key
-
Which of the following best describes a personal value?
- Correct Answer: A guiding belief or principle that is important to you.
- Explanation: This definition captures the essence of personal values as fundamental guiding principles.
-
Why is it helpful to identify your personal values?
- Correct Answer: To help you make decisions and understand your motivations.
- Explanation: Knowing one's values provides clarity in decision-making and helps in self-reflection.
-
If 'Responsibility' is a strong value for you, which action would you most likely take?
- Correct Answer: Complete your tasks and keep your promises.
- Explanation: Responsibility is about fulfilling obligations and being dependable.
-
A student sees a classmate being left out of a game. If the student highly values 'Inclusion' or 'Kindness', what might they do?
- Correct Answer: Invite the classmate to play or check if they're okay.
- Explanation: Valuing inclusion and kindness would lead to actions that bring others into the group or show concern for their well-being.
-
Describe a time when you or someone you know demonstrated a personal value. What was the value, and how was it shown?
- Correct Answer: Answers will vary but should clearly describe an action linked to a specific value. For example, a student might describe telling the truth about breaking something (Honesty) or helping a friend with a difficult task (Helpfulness/Friendship).
-
Imagine you are trying to decide between two options: playing video games or helping your sibling with their homework. If you value 'Helpfulness' and 'Family', which option might you choose and why?
- Correct Answer: Answers will vary but should explain choosing to help their sibling due to the values of helpfulness and family. For example: "I would choose to help my sibling because my family is important to me, and I value being helpful to the people I care about. Playing video games can wait, but my sibling might really need my help right now."
Project Guide
My Value Shield Project
Goal: To create a visual representation of your most important personal values.
What is a Value Shield?
Just like knights used shields to protect themselves, your values are like a shield that protects your character and guides your actions. This project is your chance to show the world (or at least our classroom!) what values make you strong and unique.
Materials:
- Paper or cardstock (you can cut it into a shield shape, or use a pre-cut one)
- Pencils, markers, crayons, colored pencils
- Optional: Glitter, stickers, craft supplies, magazine cutouts
Instructions:
-
Choose Your Top 3-5 Values: Look back at your My Values Compass Worksheet. What are the 3 to 5 values that are most important to you? Write them down here:
-
-
Design Your Shield:
- Draw a large shield shape on your paper. You can make it any shape you like!
- Divide your shield into sections, one for each of your chosen values.
- For each value, draw a picture or symbol that represents that value to you. For example, for Honesty, you might draw a truthful scale or an open mouth. For Kindness, maybe a heart or two hands helping. Be creative!
- You can also include the word of the value in each section.
- Use colors that you feel represent each value or your overall personality.
-
Add a Motto (Optional): At the bottom or top of your shield, you can write a short motto or phrase that explains what your values mean to you or how you plan to live by them. For example: "My values guide my way!" or "Kindness leads to a brighter day."
-
Presentation: Be prepared to share your Value Shield with the class. Explain your chosen values and what your pictures/symbols represent. Tell us why these values are important to you.
Tips for Success:
- Think about what actions show each value.
- Don't be afraid to use lots of color and imagination!
- Your shield should tell a story about your values.
Remember: This is about celebrating what makes you special and strong!
Rubric
My Value Shield Rubric
Student Name: _____________________________
Project: My Value Shield
Goal: To assess students' understanding and personal connection to values through a creative project.
| Category | 4 - Excellent | 3 - Good | 2 - Developing | 1 - Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Values Identified | Clearly identifies 4-5 relevant personal values. | Clearly identifies 3-4 relevant personal values. | Identifies 1-2 relevant personal values. | Identifies values that are not clearly personal or relevant. |
| Symbols/Imagery | Each value is represented by a clear, creative, and meaningful symbol or image. | Most values are represented by clear and meaningful symbols or images. | Some values are represented by symbols, but they may be unclear or less meaningful. | Symbols/images are absent or do not clearly represent values. |
| Explanation/Meaning | Explains why each chosen value is important and how it guides their actions during presentation. | Explains why most chosen values are important during presentation. | Attempts to explain why values are important, but explanation is limited or unclear. | Struggles to explain the importance of chosen values. |
| Creativity & Effort | Shield demonstrates excellent creativity, effort, and attention to detail in its design and construction. | Shield demonstrates good creativity and effort in its design and construction. | Shield shows some creativity and effort, but could be more developed. | Shield shows minimal creativity or effort. |
| Presentation | Clearly and confidently shares shield, explaining values and symbols. | Shares shield, explaining values and symbols with some clarity. | Attempts to share shield, but explanation is brief or difficult to follow. | Does not present or struggles significantly during presentation. |
Warm Up
Value Sort Cards
Instructions for Students:
- Work with your group.
- Cut out each of the value words below.
- Create three piles for your cards:
- Very Important to Me
- Somewhat Important
- Not Important Right Now
- Discuss with your group why you placed each card in a certain pile. There are no right or wrong answers!
Cut Out These Value Cards:
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| HONESTY | KINDNESS | RESPECT |
| (Telling the truth) | (Being caring) | (Treating others well) |
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| RESPONSIBILITY | BRAVERY | FAIRNESS |
| (Doing your part) | (Being courageous) | (Treating everyone equally) |
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| CREATIVITY | FRIENDSHIP | LOYALTY |
| (Imagining new things) | (Caring for friends) | (Being faithful) |
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| PERSEVERANCE | GENEROSITY | CURIOSITY |
| (Never giving up) | (Sharing with others) | (Wanting to learn) |
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| PATIENCE | HELPFULNESS | ADVENTURE |
| (Waiting calmly) | (Lending a hand) | (Trying new things) |
| Value Card | Value Card | Value Card |
|---|---|---|
| PEACE | HUMOR | HEALTH |
| (Calmness) | (Making people laugh) | (Being well) |
Cool Down
One Word, One Value: Cool-Down
Instructions:
- Think about everything we learned and discussed today about personal values.
- On a sticky note or a small piece of paper, write down one word that represents a value that either:
- You learned about today.
- You realized is very important to you.
- You want to remember and try to live by.
- This is your exit ticket for today. Once you've written your word, you can turn it in!
Example Words:
- Kindness
- Honesty
- Bravery
- Respect
- Fairness