Your Inner Compass Lesson Plan Your Inner Compass
Lesson Plan • High School • 50 Minutes
Why This Matters
Understanding personal values is crucial for self-awareness, making informed choices, and building a life that aligns with what truly matters to you. This lesson empowers students to live authentically and purposefully.
Learning Objective
Students will identify and articulate their personal values and understand how these values influence their decisions and actions.
Approach
Interactive discussion
Individual reflection
Values sorting activity
Teacher Preparation
• Review the Your Inner Compass Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
• Print copies of the Values Exploration Worksheet (one per student).
• Prepare a set of Values Cards (either print and cut out, or write values on index cards).
• Have blank paper or the Reflection Journal ready for the final reflection.
Materials Needed
Whiteboard or Projector Markers or Pens Your Inner Compass Slide Deck Values Exploration Worksheet Values Cards
Instructional Sequence
Min 05
Warm-Up: What Guides You?
Begin with the Warm Up: What Guides You? worksheet to get students thinking about guiding principles. Facilitate a brief class discussion based on student responses.
Min 10
Introduction to Values
Use the Slide Deck to introduce the concept of personal values. Discuss what values are, why they are important, and provide examples. Engage students with questions like: "What do you think 'values' mean?" and "Why is it important to know what you value?"
Min 15
Values Exploration Activity
Distribute the Worksheet and Cards . Students sort through and choose their top 5-10 values and record them. Encourage deep reflection on each choice.
Min 10
Discussing Our Compasses
Facilitate a discussion where volunteers share one or two values. Discuss how these values influence daily decisions, life choices, and relationships using prompt questions from the script.
Min 05
Reflection: My Values in Action
Students write a short reflection in their Journal on how they can live out their identified values in daily life.
Min 05
Cool-Down: One Word, One Value
Conclude with the Cool Down . Students share one word that represents a value they will try to focus on this week. Summarize the importance of the "Inner Compass."
Your Inner Compass Slide Deck Your Inner Compass
Guiding Your Way
What truly matters to you? What steers your decisions? Today, we'll explore your personal guiding stars!
What Are Values?
Values are your deeply held beliefs about what is important or desirable.
They are like your personal guiding principles.
They influence your decisions, your reactions, and your relationships.
Think of them as the "why" behind what you do.
"Your values are the invisible threads that weave the fabric of your life."
Why Discover Your Values?
1
Clarity
Helps you understand yourself better and what makes you tick.
2
Decision-Making
Makes choices easier when you know what aligns with you.
3
Purpose
Gives meaning to your actions and goals.
4
Well-being
Living by your values leads to greater satisfaction and happiness.
Values Exploration
Time to find your top values!
Review your set of Values Cards .
Read through each one carefully.
Choose the 5-10 values that are MOST important to you.
Write them down on your worksheet.
*Take your time and choose carefully!*
Discussing Our Compasses
What values did you choose?
Why are these values important to you?
How might these values guide your decisions in school, with friends, or in the future?
Can values change over time? Why or why not?
Living Your Values
Now that you've identified your key values,how can you live them out?
Think about one or two of your top values.
How can you demonstrate these in your daily life?
Write your thoughts in your Reflection Journal .
Your Unique Compass
Your values are unique to you. They are powerful tools for self-guidance. Keep reflecting as you grow.
Cool Down
Share one word that represents a value you will try to focus on this week.
Your Inner Compass Warm Up Warm Up: What Guides You?
Name: ____________________________________
Date: _____________________________________
1
Think about a time you had to make a decision, big or small. What helped you decide?
2
What are some things that are really important to you in life? (e.g., family, friends, success, happiness, honesty) Your Inner Compass Values Worksheet Values Exploration Worksheet
Discovering your guiding principles
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Part 1: Initial Thoughts
Before looking at the values cards, list 3-5 things that you instinctively feel are most important in your life right now.
Part 2: Your Top Values
After reviewing the Values Cards , choose the 5-10 values that resonate most deeply with you. Write them in order of importance, with your most important value at the top.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Part 3: Reflect and Connect
Choose your top three values from your list above and explain why they are meaningful to you.
Value #1:
What it means to me:
Why it's important to me:
Value #2:
What it means to me:
Why it's important to me:
Value #3:
What it means to me:
Why it's important to me:
Your Inner Compass Values Cards Values Cards
Cut along the dotted lines to create individual value cards.
Achievement (accomplishing goals)
Adventure (seeking new experiences)
Authenticity (being true to yourself)
Balance (harmony in life)
Beauty (appreciating aesthetics)
Belonging (feeling connected)
Bravery (facing fears)
Care (kindness and compassion)
Challenge (overcoming difficulties)
Community (contributing to a group)
Compassion (empathy for others)
Connection (meaningful relationships)
Creativity (innovating and expressing)
Curiosity (desire to learn)
Equality (fairness for all)
Family (close bonds)
Freedom (independence)
Growth (personal development)
Values Cards
Page 2 of 2
Happiness (joy and contentment)
Health (physical and mental well-being)
Honesty (truthfulness and integrity)
Impact (making a difference)
Kindness (being gentle and caring)
Knowledge (understanding and learning)
Leadership (guiding others)
Love (deep affection)
Loyalty (faithfulness)
Mindfulness (present moment awareness)
Peace (tranquility and calm)
Respect (admiration for self/others)
Responsibility (accountability)
Service (helping others)
Success (achieving outcomes)
Trust (faith in self/others)
Dignity (self-respect)
Justice (fairness and righteousness)
Your Inner Compass Reflection Journal My Values Reflection Journal
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Prompt 1: Living My Top Value
Think about your #1 most important value . Describe a specific way you can actively live out this value in your daily life this week. Who will it affect, and how will it make you feel?
Prompt 2: Values in Action
Reflect on a situation where you had to make a tough decision. How might knowing your personal values have helped you feel more confident in your choice? How could this understanding change your future decisions?
Prompt 3: Values and Growth
Do you think your values will stay the same throughout your life, or do you think they might change? What might cause a person's values to shift over time?
Your Inner Compass Cool Down Values in Action Cool Down
Final Reflection
1. Level of Understanding
On a scale of 1 to 5, how well do you feel you understand your personal values now compared to before this lesson?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Very Well
2. Taking Action
Think about one value you identified today. What is ONE small action you can take this week to live out that value?
Name: ____________________________________
Your Inner Compass Script Your Inner Compass: Teacher Script
Instructional Guide for Educators
5 Minutes
Part 1: Warm-Up - What Guides You?
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something really important that guides us through life, much like a compass. To start, I want you to think about a time you had to make a decision – it could be something big like choosing a school, or something small like what to do this weekend. What helped you make that decision? What did you consider?"
"Take a moment to write down your thoughts on your Warm Up sheet. Don't worry, there are no wrong answers here. Just reflect on your own experiences."
(Allow 2-3 minutes for students to write.)
Teacher: "Now, I'd love for a few volunteers to share their thoughts. What helped you make a decision? Or, what are some things that are really important to you in life?"
(Facilitate a brief discussion, affirming all responses. Connect their ideas to the concept of things that are 'important' or 'matter' to them.)
10 Minutes
Part 2: Introduction to Values
Teacher: "Great insights! What you've just described – the things that are important to you – these are closely related to what we call personal values . Can someone tell me, in your own words, what you think 'values' might mean?"
(Listen to student responses, guide them towards the definition.)
Teacher: "That's right! As our slide deck shows, values are your deeply held beliefs about what is important or desirable. They are like your personal guiding principles. They influence your decisions, your reactions, and your relationships. Think of them as the 'why' behind what you do."
"Why do you think it's important to know what your values are? How could understanding your own values help you?"
(Encourage discussion. Highlight points from the slide deck about clarity, decision-making, purpose, and well-being. Use real-world examples that might resonate with high schoolers, like choosing friends, choosing a job, or how they spend their free time.)
Teacher: "Knowing your values is like having a reliable compass. When life gets confusing, your values can point you in the right direction, helping you make choices that feel authentic and right for you ."
15 Minutes
Part 3: Values Exploration Activity
Teacher: "Now it's your turn to really dig in and discover what your inner compass points to! I'm going to hand out a Values Exploration Worksheet and some
Your Inner Compass Answer Key Your Inner Compass: Answer Key
Discussion Guide & Sample Responses
Note: Since this lesson focuses on personal reflection and individual values, there are no strictly "correct" answers. This guide provides potential student responses and insights for facilitating learning.
Warm Up: What Guides You?
Q1: What helps you decide when making a decision?
Family advice or traditions.
Past experiences and "gut feelings."
Logical pros and cons list.
Friend's opinions or peer pressure.
Fear of negative consequences.
Q2: What are things that are really important to you?
Concrete things: Family, friends, pets, sports, hobbies.
Abstract things: Happiness, success, money, being respected, being healthy.
Values Exploration Worksheet
Part 3 Sample Responses:
Value: Honesty
"To me, honesty means being truthful even when it's hard. It's important because I want people to trust me, and I want to feel good about the kind of person I am."
Value: Achievement
"This means setting goals and actually reaching them. It's important because it gives me a sense of pride and helps me build my future."
Key Discussion Prompts
Question Expected Insight/Direction How might values help in a difficult decision? Values act as a filter. If a choice goes against a core value (like honesty), it helps a student say "no" even if it's the "easier" or more "popular" path. Can values change over time? Yes. Maturity, life transitions (like moving to college), and major life events can shift priorities. Core values often stay, but their ranking might change. Why do people have different values? Values are shaped by culture, family, experiences, and personal personality. There is no single "right" set of values; what matters is living authentically to your own.
Journal & Cool Down Review
When reviewing student work, look for specificity . A student who says "I will be more kind" is thinking generally. A student who says "I will offer to help my younger brother with his homework because I value Service" is demonstrating a deeper understanding of values in action.
My Self Esteem Shield Lesson Plan My Self-Esteem Shield
Lesson Plan • 6th Grade • 30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Recognizing one's own strengths and unique qualities is crucial for building a strong sense of self-worth. This activity provides a creative outlet for students to celebrate themselves and internalize positive self-perceptions.
Learning Objective
Students will identify and visually represent their personal strengths and positive qualities to enhance their self-esteem.
Details
Time: 30 Minutes
Approach: Art-based reflection
Preparation
Review the Slide Deck and Script .
Print the Shield Activity worksheet (one per student).
Gather art supplies: markers, colored pencils, and crayons.
(Optional) Collect collage materials like stickers or old magazines.
Materials List
Self-Esteem Shield Slide Deck
My Self-Esteem Shield Activity
Construction paper or cardstock
Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
Instructional Steps
0-5
Introduction & Warm-Up
Use the slide deck to define self-esteem. Ask students why feeling good about yourself matters. Introduce the "shield" as a symbol of protection and identity.
5-15
Shield Design & Brainstorm
Distribute worksheets. Guide students in brainstorming their "superpowers"—talents, traits, and things they are proud of. Encourage them to be specific and proud of their achievements.
15-25
Create Your Shield
Students decorate their shields using colors, symbols, and words that represent their brainstormed qualities. Remind them there is no "wrong" way to design their personal shield.
25-30
Share & Reflect
Invite students to share one element of their shield with a partner or the class. Conclude with a positive affirmation about their worth.
Self-Esteem Shield Slide Deck My Self-Esteem Shield
Discovering Your Inner Strengths!
What is Self-Esteem?
It's how you feel about yourself.
It's believing in your own worth.
It's knowing you are valuable and capable .
It helps you try new things and bounce back from challenges!
Your Personal Shield
Historically, a shield protects and represents who you are.
Today, you'll create a shield of your strengths !
Think about:
What makes you, YOU?
What are you good at?
What are your best qualities?
Brainstorm Your Superpowers!
Talents
What are you good at? (drawing, sports, math, telling jokes)
Traits
Words that describe you? (kind, brave, creative, funny, helpful)
Accomplishments
What are you proud of? (Big wins or small daily victories!)
"There is only one YOU!"
Design Your Shield
Colors & Patterns
Symbols & Icons
Powerful Words
Fill your shield with what makes you amazing . This is your personal reminder of how wonderful you are!
Share Your Story
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What does your shield represent?
?
What was your favorite part to create?
?
How do you feel looking at your strengths?
Remember Your Worth!
You are unique .
You are capable .
You are valuable .
Carry these strengths with you!
Self-Esteem Shield Script Self-Esteem Shield: Script
Facilitator's Dialogue Guide
1
Introduction & Warm-Up (5 min)
Teacher: "Hi everyone, thanks for joining me today. We're going to do a really cool activity called 'My Self-Esteem Shield.' It's all about discovering and celebrating what makes you, uniquely you!"
(Display Slide 2)
Teacher: "Before we dive in, let's talk about something really important: self-esteem . Have you heard that term before? In your own words, what do you think it means?"
(Pause for responses, affirm their thoughts.)
Teacher: "That's a great way to put it! Self-esteem is basically how you feel about yourself, how much you believe in your own worth, and knowing that you are valuable and capable. Why do you think it's important to feel good about yourself?"
2
Brainstorming (10 min)
(Display Slide 3 & 4)
Teacher: "Today, we're going to create something special: your very own 'Self-Esteem Shield.' Think of a shield. Historically, shields protect, but they also represent who you are—like a knight's coat of arms. Your shield today will be a symbol of your strengths!"
(Hand out worksheet)
Teacher: "First, let's brainstorm. What are some of your talents? What are you good at? Maybe it's drawing, sports, solving puzzles, or making people laugh. Don't be shy! What positive words describe your personality? What are you proud of?"
(Offer specific prompts: 'Are you a good listener? Do you have a great imagination?')
3
Creation (10 min)
(Display Slide 5)
Teacher: "Now for the fun part! You're going to design your shield. Use colors, symbols, or words to represent those strengths we just talked about. There's no right or wrong way—make it colorful, make it bold, make it you ! I'll be here if you need any ideas."
4
Reflect & Wrap-Up (5 min)
(Display Slide 6 & 7)
Teacher: "Wow, these look fantastic! I'd love to see what your shield represents to you. How does it feel to see all your strengths laid out like this?"
Teacher: "Your shield is a powerful reminder. I encourage you to hang this somewhere you'll see it every day. Remember, you are truly wonderful just the way you are!"
My Self-Esteem Shield Activity My Self-Esteem Shield
A celebration of my unique strengths
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Phase 1: Brainstorm Your Superpowers
My Talents & Skills
(What am I good at?)
My Personality Traits
(Words that describe me)
My Proudest Moments
(Things I've accomplished)
What Makes Me Unique?
(Things I love about myself)
Phase 2: Design Your Shield
Symbols of
Favorite
Talents &
Personal
Instructions: Use the quadrants above to draw and write about your strengths. Add color, symbols, and patterns to make it yours!
