Exploring Values

Today's Goal To inspire and prepare you to explore the topic of values in your own life. .

In your own words, define : Values Values – The inner judgments or beliefs that determine how a person actually behaves Ask students to take out a piece of paper and something to write with and give them 3 minutes to come up with a definition of each of these terms in their own words. Tell them not to worry about spelling and that there are no wrong answers…just get something down on the paper for each of these words. Once it appears that most everyone has got something written down, have them pair up with the person next to them, compare definitions and together arrive at a new definition for each term using the best parts of each of their definitions. Watch as they engage one another and begin to explain, articulate, justify and rationalize regarding their definitions. Depending on time I may have them continue to pair up as a table and arrive at a final agreed upon definition for the table. At this time I have the table write the definition on the flip chart near their table for all to see. You will see VERY similar definitions for each of the terms for all the tables. This is a good thing. Now I go around and quickly circle on each of the flip charts the words that are common among the definitions.

Let’s Boil it Down Some More… Values = Beliefs

What are your values?

What are your core values? Here is where we pass out the “Values” cards. Ask the students to clear their desks and make as much space as possible in front of them. Following the discussion simply hand each student a packet containing the 40 value cards. Instruct them to clear their desks and lay the cards out in front of them face up so they can see each of them. Remind them that there may be one or more "blank" cards that are to be used as Wild cards. These can represent a word or "value" that they feel is important to them but may not be represented among the 36 other values. If you wish, allow them to write their own values on one or more of these blank cards. Ask them to study the cards for several minutes and try to identify a meaning that pertains to them. If you are using the set of cards that contain definitions, remind them that the definitions are subjective and somewhat arbitrary and they do not have to agree with or accept the stated definition. These are provided simply to provide some context for the word. They can use any definition or meaning they like for any of the words. Once they have had some time to reflect on the words, challenge them to identify the five values that best represent them as an individual. Instruct them to gather all the other cards face down in a pile and to end up with only those five "Core Values" face up in front of them. This may take a bit of time for some students and others will identify their values very quickly. Be patient and allow plenty of time for everyone to select their five. Listen to the discussion as students struggle to whittle it down to only five. Once everyone has only their five sitting face up on the desk in front of them. Ask if they are comfortable with allowing others to see what they have chosen. If everyone is okay with this then encourage the students to move about the room and see what others have chosen. Discuss any surprises and ask students why they may have chosen a particular value. Once the discussion has calmed down, ask everyone to return to their seats and challenge them to divide their five values into those that would be considered "Ethical" values and those that would be considered "Non Ethical" values. Have them place the ethical values on the left and the non ethical values on the right. Listen and watch as they make their distinctions. The final step here is to ask everyone to narrow their list down to just one card that represents their most important "Core Value". Give them plenty of time for this as it may be as challenging as the first selection. If everyone is comfortable, ask each person to hold up their card and state the value out loud to the entire class. Go around the room until everyone has stated their value. If anyone is too uncomfortable doing this, allow them to simply say "Pass" when it is their turn.

Work Values Investigative Practical Independence Leadership Orderliness Recognition Aesthetic Social Accepting Carefree Conformity Supportive Flexibility Privacy Realistic Reserved

COPES: What are your Work Values?

Take the Survey Read option A and B Decide which is most true Mark next to A or B Answer all 128 questions

Grading Open the test book all the way Count # of A or B with . Closer to it for the row For a1 count b. Open answer book to page 4 In squares next to a, write scores for a1, a2, a3, and a4

These are your core work values – Grading Continued Add the 4 numbers Mark that number on the Column Repeat for b, c, d, e, f, g, and h Circle the 3 Work Values that are your most extreme – farthest from the midline These are your core work values – Do they fit you?