Strengthen relationships and identity by exploring core values
What?
Create space for learners to discover, develop, and reflect on their core values. Encourage learners to weave those values into their story.
Why?
Identity shared through core values dives past “what is this person doing” to “what does this person believe in”.
Shared vulnerability and understanding builds a more supportive, empathetic environment for learning.
How?
Develop a sense of belonging through core values in three parts:
Exploring core values as a source of identity
Reflecting on living core values
Storytelling around identity
(Advanced) Revisit step 1 at the midpoint or endpoint of the cohort
Lesson 1: Identifying Core Values
Overview
Explore and identify your core values to better understand your own identity. Pick an activity that best fits your learners, and invite them to create an Unrulr post to share their core values.
Objective
Learners will be able to resonate and identify with at least 2 core values after completing an activity chosen by the facilitator.
What are core values?
The moral principles that guide your day-to-day actions and words that are held close to your heart.
Do an activity that can help students identify their core values. (Choose 1):
(Advanced) Bulls Eye Values Exercise (30-45 minutes: independent work + discussion in between)
(Intermediate) Core Values Verification Exercise (30-45 minutes: independent work + discussion in between)
(Beginner) Tattoo prompt: https://www.tawn-le.com/journal/value-tattoo (10m, single value)
Time? Core Values Exercise above says 30-45m
Create an Unrulr Post all about your Core Values (10-20 minutes, take home possible):
Give students creative freedom to explain their core values:
Audio Recording
Video
Photos
Drawing
Words in Caption
Ask students to…
Explain what their core values are
Example: Family, Integrity and Wellness
Explain WHY they picked these
Family, whether they’re blood related or not, grounds me. They are my “why” in everything I do. I know they love me unconditionally, and they’re the ones whose opinion matters because they want my best interest at heart.
Explain how they see this core value in their everyday lives
I see this core value show up in my everyday life because whenever something good or bad happens, they are the first people I want to tell about it.
Full sample prompt:
Pick one of your core values and answer the following questions…
What are your core values? What values do you hold close to your heart that guide you like a compass
Why are these your core values? Can you identify why they are important to you?
Where does this core value pop up in your everyday life?
Lesson 2: Living, Documenting, & Reflecting Core Values
Overview
Explore why self awareness and vulnerability are critical skills to develop in order to best live out your core values daily. Use Unrulr as a tool to document and to reflect in order to develop these skills.
Objective
Learners will develop their own self-awareness by practicing vulnerability. They will learn to reflect on how they are living their core values everyday.
Explain how students can live their core values everyday
Forbes Article Questions to think about:
Why do you think living your core values results in a consistent, fulfilling, and meaningful life?
What is a core value that you WANT to choose, but isn’t appropriate for you?
What does it take on a day-to-day basis to live your core values? What are obstacles that get in the way?
Self-Awareness: In this Ted Talk on self-awareness, William L. Sparks highlights the importance of feedback. He explains how our “shadow" often surfaces the very thing we are trying to avoid, and the repercussions that come with that. He explains that the responsibility we have to give and receive honest and candid feedback with those in our lives.
If you watch this as a group, some points to highlight after:
What is your shadow? How do you define “Shadow”?
When you read the quote by Carl Jung, how did it make you feel? “People will do anything no matter how absurd, to avoid facing their own souls”
3 Take-aways:
Self-awareness does not comfort. It disturbs and disrupts.
We have a moral obligation to give constructive, developmental feedback.
Personal transformation can only occur when we have the courage to face our own shadow?
What is your “F” in life story?
Have you acknowledged it and embraced it yet?
Or are you still trying to hide behind your shadow trying to be perfect?
Vulnerability: In this Ted Talk, Brene Brown speaks on the importance of vulnerability and the importance of human connection. Vulnerability and core values go hand-in-hand.
If you watch this as a group, some points to highlight after:
How did you grow up viewing vulnerability?
When was the last time you felt brave? Why?
What does vulnerability mean now? After watching the video?
Have students create an Unrulr post practicing reflection, vulnerability, and self-awareness.
Sample prompts:
The Forbes article says, “modern life with all its pressures, demands and calls for action tends to push us away from sticking to our values,” can students honestly say they’re living their core values? what is standing in their way of living their core values?
In his Ted Talk William Sparks says, “in order to celebrate the light, you have to understand the darkness – your darkness,” have you faced your own shadow? How?
Brene Brown says, “In order for connection to happen we have to allow ourselves to be seen,” when was the last time you felt truly seen?
Lesson 3: Sharing their stories
Overview
Invite learners to use Unrulr to share their stories in order to build a sense of belonging and community within your learning environment.
Objective
Learners will be able to use self awareness, vulnerability, and their core values to tell their story using Unrulr.
Choose a video to share with your students that explains how important THEIR stories are!
The power of sharing your story
We like this video because similar to Leron Barton, we believe that your story matters. We want Unrulr to be a space where you share your story in order to build connection and belonging within learning communities.
Why is sharing your story important?
We like this video because every person has their own unique, powerful, and important story which makes them human. Unrulr gives you a platform to tell your story with fellow learners to replace perceptions with connections.
Share your own story with students using an Unrulr post
Create example in Unrulr (multimodal)
Ask students to tell their story of identity in an Unrulr post [take home]
Use passion, or interest, questions that your students are familiar with. One we’ve used with some of our communities is:
Who are you, and what fuels you?
Some other ideas:
What makes you, you?
What makes you tick?
What event or which person made you who you are today?
What or who is important to you?
Encourage them to share their stories multimodally
Using photos, videos, and the voice recording feature of an Unrulr post
Photo story
Video story
Voice recording story
Ask students to comment on one another’s stories. Some comment prompts:
What do you have in common?
What do you think is cool about your peer?
Is there something you know now that you didn’t know before?
Follow up after the assignment is done with a Celebration.