💛 SELGrade 3Lesson 24
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Staying True to Values

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What you will learn

  • 1Identify your most important value and explain what it means
  • 2Describe a real situation when that value was tested
  • 3Explain how acting with integrity shapes long-term self-respect
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Mini Lesson

Values are the beliefs and principles that matter most to you — the things you care about so deeply that they shape the decisions you make every day. Values are not rules someone gives you; they come from inside. Common values include honesty, kindness, fairness, loyalty, courage, respect, and responsibility.

Why values matter for decisions

  • When you are unsure what to do, your values are the compass that points you in the right direction.
  • Every time you act in line with your values — even when it is hard — you build integrity (being the same person on the inside and the outside) and self-respect.
  • When you act against your values, you may feel guilt, shame, or regret — signals that something important was not honored.

When values get tested

  • Values are tested most when the right choice is also the harder or less popular one.
  • A peer dares you to lie — your honesty is tested. A friend is left out — your fairness is tested. Someone is being unkind — your courage is tested.
  • These moments are not obstacles; they are opportunities to show who you really are.

Staying true under pressure

  • Pause and ask: What do I believe is right here?
  • Remember: short-term discomfort from saying no is almost always smaller than the long-term regret of acting against your values.
  • You can still be kind and respectful to others while holding firm to what you believe.

Words to know

Value

An idea you believe is important, like honesty, fairness, or kindness

e.g. Honesty is one of my values.

Integrity

Doing what is right even when nobody is watching

e.g. Integrity means I keep my word.

Honesty

Telling the truth and not pretending

e.g. My honesty came through, even when it was hard.

Courage

Doing what is right even when you feel afraid

e.g. It took courage to speak up for my friend.

Regret

A bad feeling about a choice you wish you had not made

e.g. Going against my values led to regret.

Values as a compass for decision-makingA compass rose in the center labeled Values. The four compass points are labeled with core values: Honesty at the top, Kindness at the right, Courage at the bottom, and Fairness at the left.Your Values = Your CompassHonestyCourageFairnessKindnessVALUESyour compassWhen unsure, your values point the way.
A compass with Values at the center and four points — Honesty, Kindness, Fairness, and Courage.
Acting with values versus acting against valuesTwo columns comparing the trade-offs: Acting with your values brings short-term discomfort and long-term integrity. Acting against your values brings short-term ease and long-term regret.The Real Trade-OffActing WITHyour valuesShort term:Discomfortmay feel harderLong term:IntegritySelf-respectyou stand tallActing AGAINSTyour valuesShort term:Easierfits in fasterLong term:RegretGuiltsomething feels off
Acting with your values brings long-term integrity; acting against them brings long-term regret.
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Self-check: Name your most important value. When was the last time it was tested? What did you do?

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← Lesson 23: Recognizing Peer PressureLesson 25: Overcoming Fears and Failures →