The Personal Value Puzzle

The Personal Value Puzzle

Nana was surprised one day when June sat down at the table and sighed in frustration. “What’s wrong?” Nana asked.

“Today I learned about something called ‘Personal Values,’” June explained. “My teacher said that my Personal Values are the things that are important to me.”

“I am supposed to draw a picture of three of my Personal Values, but I can’t even think of one.” June sighed again and laid her head on the table.

“Nana,” she said, “I am not sure if I have any Personal Values.”

Nana took out a puzzle and laid the pieces on the table. Then she picked up a piece and looked at it closely.

“You know, June,” Nana said. “Your Personal Values are kind of like the pieces of this puzzle.” Every time you make a choice or feel a certain way, you uncover another piece of the puzzle.”

“When we put the pieces of the puzzle together, we can start to see the big picture,” Nana continued. “As you learn what your Personal Values are, you will learn more about who you are.”

June picked up a puzzle piece and tried to figure out where to put it. She thought about what Nana said, but she just was not sure.

When the puzzle was completed, Nana asked June to help put it away. “Sure, Nana! I love helping you.” June said smiling.

Nana looked at June thoughtfully and said, “I think you just found one of your Personal Values.”

“You are right!” June exclaimed. “I like to be helpful. It’s important to me.” “Being helpful is one of my Personal Values.”

When the table was clean, Nana brought out a cookie. “Here June,” Nana said. “There is only one cookie left. You can have it.”

“No Nana,” June said. “That would not be fair. How about we split the cookie in half and share it?”

“Thank you, June. That does sound fair,” Nana smiled. “I think you just found your second Personal Value.”

“That’s right!” June said. “Fairness is very important to me. It must be one of my Personal Values!”

After she finished the cookie, June took out her school work and frowned again. “What’s wrong?” Nana asked.

“Mrs. Miller said that I need to write down three Personal Values and I only found two,” June sighed.

Nana thought for a moment. “Why does it matter to you so much that you find a third Personal Value?” She asked.

“School is very important,” June explained. “I like to learn new things, and I won’t feel like I did a good job unless I finish the whole assignment.”

“You just told me that learning new things is important to you,” Nana smiled. “I think you just found your third Personal Value!”

“Oh!” June exclaimed. “That’s it! My third Personal Value is learning!”

“You just found three pieces to the June puzzle,” Nana laughed. “It will be fun to watch you figure out the rest of the pieces.”



Remember to return and complete the rest of your lesson.