My Values in Real Situations
Students name two personal values and show them in action across different settings with context-specific behaviors. When choosing how to act in realistic situations, they justify the value-aligned choice by naming the setting, the people involved, and the timing. They navigate simple values dilemmas by naming both values, choosing an action, and explaining the tradeoff. They use honest-and-kind language to give feedback without sacrificing either honesty or kindness. They make and keep commitments that include obstacle planning.
Lesson Overview
What students will be able to do after this lesson: Students will be able to name two personal values and show them in action with behaviors that are specific to different settings, choose the value-aligned action in a realistic scenario and justify it using contextual factors, navigate a values dilemma by naming both values and the tradeoff, give feedback or admit a mistake using an honest-and-kind script, and make a commitment that includes a real obstacle and an if-then backup plan.
Skill segments at a glance:
| Segment | Segment name | Primary standards |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | My Values in Action | SA-VAL-4-1 · SA-VAL-4-2 |
| 2 | When Values Pull Against Each Other | SA-VAL-4-3 · SA-VAL-4-4 |
| 3 | Keeping My Word | SA-VAL-4-5 |
Supporting standards reinforced:
| Code | Why it connects |
|---|---|
| RDM-ETH-4-1 | Ethical decision-making in Segment 2 directly reinforces values-based reasoning — the honest-and-kind dilemma (SA-VAL-4-4) is a specific case of ethical action |
| SA-EMO-4-5 | Triggers connect to values — when something feels wrong, it often signals a value being violated; this connection surfaces in Segment 1 modeling and Segment 2 dilemma work |
| RS-COM-4-6 | The honest-and-kind script in Segment 2 (SA-VAL-4-4) is a direct application of communication skills — truthful, respectful feedback is both a values skill and a communication skill |
Key Vocabulary
- Value — Something you genuinely care about that shapes the choices you make — not a rule someone else set, but something that feels important to you personally
- Values dilemma — A situation where two things you care about pull in different directions and you have to choose between them
- Tradeoff — What you give up from one value when you choose to act on another; in a dilemma, there is always a tradeoff — the skill is naming it honestly
- Commitment — A specific promise you make to yourself or someone else about what you will do and when
- If-then plan — A backup plan that names a specific obstacle and exactly what you will do if it happens
- Integrity — Acting on your values in real situations, not just holding them as ideas; when the choices you actually make match the things you genuinely care about
Materials
- Whiteboard or chart paper and markers (for core sentence frame and key language in each segment)
- Before the week begins: Post your unit anchor chart and I Can Statement where students can see them — you’ll reference both throughout the week.
- Optional: sticky notes for Segment 2 values dilemma work (students write both values before choosing)
How this lesson is structured: Each skill segment below has an I Do (teacher models the skill with a realistic scenario) and a We Do (class practices together with your guidance). Independent practice — the You Do — lives in the practice resources that go alongside this lesson.
What Students Need Before This Lesson
- What’s inside
- What students should already be able to do
- Helpful to have in place
- 3 quick set-ups before the I DoValues vs. rules — what’s the difference? · Context-specific behavior vs. values-in-theory · Dilemmas: why there isn’t always a clean right answer
- Rescue planIf students are significantly behind
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
Introducing the Skill
- What’s inside
- Opening hook
- What we’re learning
- Why it matters
- Core sentence frameThe frame students use all week
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
My Values in Action
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsTwo values, four context-specific behaviors: what values-in-action looks like · Wrong version → fix: values-in-theory vs. values-in-action · SA-VAL-4-2: choosing the value-aligned action with a full contextual justification · Positive/ordinary: values guiding a low-stakes choice on a regular day
- We do: 4 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
When Values Pull Against Each Other
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsSA-VAL-4-3: a real dilemma, both values named, tradeoff acknowledged · Wrong version → fix: one value chosen, tradeoff ignored · SA-VAL-4-4: the honest-and-kind script in action · Positive/ordinary: honest-and-kind as a natural, low-stakes habit
- We do: 4 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
Keeping My Word
- What’s inside
- I do: 4 teacher modelsFull commitment plan: specific commitment, real obstacle, genuine if-then backup · Wrong version → fix: vague commitment, vague obstacle, no real backup · Following through when the obstacle actually happens · Positive/ordinary: a small commitment kept on a regular week
- We do: 3 guided scenariosWith sentence frames, pacing notes and what to watch for
- Coaching in the momentWhat to say when students get stuck
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
Closing the Week
- What’s inside
- 3 partner-share roundsOne for each segment, with the frame students say together
- Round 1 — Values in action across different places
- Round 2 — Values in conflict and being honest AND kind
- Round 3 — Keeping a commitment when something gets in the way
- Land the key idea
This section opens when Grade 4 launches.
Practice for every skill segment
Each lesson comes with independent practice — the “you do” — for each of its 3 skill segments, in print and digital.
Printable practice
Ready-to-copy practice pages for each segment.
- View and print in your browser
- Answer keys for quick checking
Digital activities
Share one link — students open it on any device, and you see their answers.
- Works on Chromebooks, tablets and phones
- Students just type their name to start
While you wait: from the SEL Resource Library
Self-Awareness resources for Grade 4, ready to use today.
