Unit(s): Unit(s): Interpersonal
Purpose:
The purpose of this activity is to demonstrate to students that values are our relatively permanent ideas of what is good or bad, worthwhile or not worthwhile and that we place values on such things as principles, objects, people, and experiences. We may even value such things as democracy, money, rugged adventures, and trustworthy friends.
Objective:
Students will be able to recognize their own value patterns and understand that their behavior reflects their values, beliefs, attitudes, and feelings.
Materials:
- Packets of play money for each student in the following denominations: one (1) $1,000, one (1) $500, and five (5) $100 dollar bills.
- Have a prepared list of values or have students prepare a list of values.
Procedure:
- On the day prior to the auction, divide the class into groups of approximately 5 to 6 students. Ask them, as a group, to make a list of specific values. (the number will be determined by the number of students in the class.)
Examples:
a. Ten years of perfect health
b. The chance to become famous (sports hero,
movie star, etc.)
c. The ability to dramatically reduce poverty in
the world
d. Success in the career of your choice- Before the following class period, combine the lists and have a copy for each student in class.
- Provide each student a copy of the values list and a packet of money.
- Give students five to 10 minutes to look over the list and determine the values on which they wish to bid.
- Hold a class values auction of those values prepared by the students. (I have found that it is easier to require students to have the exact amount of money, in bills, before they are allowed to bid on a value. I will not give change.)
- After the auction, discuss why each of the students bid the way they did. Discuss value systems and how they are established. It is also important to talk about what influences the creation of value systems.
- For homework, I assign students a one page paper on their own bidding and what value system emerged from their bidding. They might even discuss why they felt like they have a particular value system.
* Did not receive a bid