A Lesson Plan from Life Planning Education: A Youth Development Program (Chapter Two)

NOTE:  Life Planning Education (LPE) is currently being revised. The printed/for-sale version includes an older version of this lesson plan. Please make sure you have looked at the PDF of Life Planning Education before purchasing - that is the version that is available to buy. 

Purpose: To introduce and define the concept of values.

Materials: Newsprint and markers or board and chalk; Leader’s Resource, Tips for Facilitating Values Exercises.
Time: 15-20 minutes

Planning Notes:

• If possible, combine this short activity with another values activity.
• Before beginning any activity on personal values, remind participants of the ground rules: it is okay to disagree with others; it is not okay to disrespect others or to put them down. Clarify that no one is to tease or laugh at another for expressing their values.
• Review the Leader’s Resource, Tips for Facilitating Values Exercises.
• For Step 8, prepare a poster showing the four ways of identifying one’s values. 

Procedure:

1. Begin, without introduction, by placing several coins or bills of different value on a desk or table and ask a volunteer to come up to the table.
2. Ask the volunteer to choose a coin or bill. Ask the volunteer to display to everyone else what they chose.
3. Now ask the volunteer how they chose that coin or bill. If necessary, help the volunteer to say that they chose the one with the highest value.
4. Thank your volunteer. Ask them to return the coin or bill to the desk or table and to be seated. Write the word value on newsprint or the board. Explain that in this situation, value refers to the worth of each coin or bill. Ask the group for other examples of what has value.
5. If the group only list tangible things, ask for examples of intangibles that cannot be seen or touched but that have value. (Answers might include things like status, good grades, love, honesty, friendship, kindness, hard work, and talent.) List responses on the newsprint or board and add, if necessary, any important intangibles that you fell the participants may have forgotten.
6. Ask for three volunteers. Then ask them to each choose one of the intangible things on the list and explain why they consider it important. Circle their choices. When the volunteers have finished, point out that it may be easy to know which tangible things have the most value, but it is difficult to define the value of intangible qualities.
7. Explain that value has several meanings. One is the monetary worth of an object or item, that is how much someone would actually pay for it or, perhaps, how much it would cost to replace it. Another meaning is a more personal measure of worth, such as how important the things, beliefs, principles or ideas are to an individual. Different people value intangible things differently, meaning they have more or less value to each individual. The ideals, beliefs, and principles that are of worth to you shape your values. Our values help define who we are and help determine our behavior. For example:
• A person who values family cares about their life parents, siblings, and home life.
• A person who values beauty may want to live surrounded by art and nature.
• A person who values health may choose a healthy diet, exercise regularly, and avoid using drugs.
• A person who values excitement may participate in action sports or travel.
8. Say that the next few sessions will help the participants to identify their own values, those intangible things that are very important to them. Display the poster you have prepared and go through each statement, explaining how a person can tell what her or his values are:
• Your values are things you are for (or against).
• Your values are things you have chosen freely—no one else can force you to choose your values, although your family and others can certainly influence you.
• Your values are things you believe in and are willing to stand up for.
• Your values guide your behavior and your life.
9. Conclude the activity using the discussion points below.

Discussion Points:

1. Where do you think we get our values? (Answers include: family, religious teachings, culture, friends, books, media and so on.)
2. What is one example of a value your family feels is very important?
3. Does anyone have an example of a religious value you hold and have been taught?
4. Which of your values come from your cultural beliefs?
5. What is a value that is widely held in this country and that may be less important in other countries?
6. Can you think of a value someone else has that you do not share? What is it?