Storybook County Lessons · Lesson 12
Core Value Speeches
Storybook County's characters speak at the Opening Session
Storybook County Lessons · Lesson 12
Core Value Speeches
Storybook County's characters speak at the Opening Session
Grades 6 to 12 · Three 30-minute sessions
Teacher note. Handouts: 1. The Four Core Values; 2. Speech Frame; 3. Feedback Card. You also need a timer and a gavel. Decide whether speeches go to the whole class or to groups of six with a student Chair for each group (faster, and more students get to chair).
The story
The story problem
Storybook County's characters have been asked to speak at the Opening Session about the value their story taught them. The Boy Who Cried Wolf has thoughts on honesty.
Teacher note. Youth and Government is built on the YMCA's four core values. Candidates tie their campaigns to them, Governors build themes on them, and middle school Resource Team training opens with core value speeches.
You will be able to
- Define each of the four core values and give a story example of each.
- Write and deliver a ninety-second speech: the moment, the lesson, the value, the ask.
- Give specific, kind feedback using a rubric.
- Keep the term "core values" distinct from the names of other programs.
The four core values
- Caring
- Showing a sincere concern for others.
- Honesty
- Being truthful in what you say and do.
- Respect
- Following the golden rule; treating others as you would want to be treated.
- Responsibility
- Being accountable for your promises and actions.
Two different words
core values (c-o-r-e) are the YMCA's four values. Y-Corps (c-o-r-p-s) is a YMCA summer service program.
Keep the two apart in speeches and in writing.
Characters for consideration
Honesty
- The Boy Who Cried Wolf
- The Emperor, after the parade
- Pinocchio
Caring and respect
- Ebenezer Scrooge, reformed (caring)
- Dorothy Gale (caring)
- Goldilocks (respect)
- Beauty, or the Beast (respect)
- The Big Bad Wolf (respect, as a challenge)
Responsibility
- The Ant and the Grasshopper
- The Tortoise
- The Little Red Hen
- Mr. Toad, after the motorcar
Teacher note. One value each is suggested; students may argue for a different pairing. The Little Red Hen comes with a question about caring. Dorothy went back for everyone. Can the Wolf give a respect speech sincerely? Spread the values evenly across the room.
Session 1 · 30 min
What the Values Mean
- Hook5 min
- Define10 min
- Match10 min
- Frame preview5 min
Hook
Who in a story was honest at a cost?
Teacher note. Collect answers. Explain that the four core values show up in every part of Youth and Government, from campaign rules to how a Chair treats a nervous speaker.
Define
Define your value in your own words. Give two story examples: one where it was kept, one where it was broken.
Teacher note. Four groups, one value each. Groups report; post the definitions.
Match
Choose a character and a value. Write the one moment in the story where that value was tested.
Frame preview
Moment. Lesson. Value. Ask.
Teacher note. Read the Speech Frame aloud (next slide).
The Boy Who Cried Wolf on honesty
Speech frame: ninety seconds
1. The moment. "The third time I shouted wolf, nobody came. The wolf did."
2. The lesson. "I understood that every true thing I would ever say was now worth less, because of the two false things I had said before."
3. The value. "Honesty is not only not lying. It is protecting the value of your own word so that it is there when someone needs it."
4. The ask. "This session, when you stand to speak on a bill, say only what you can prove from the story. Keep your word worth something."
Session 2 · 30 min
Writing and Practicing
- Draft15 min
- Partner practice10 min
- Revise5 min
Draft
Write a ninety-second speech in character, about 180 to 220 words.
- The moment: what happened
- The lesson: what I understood afterward
- The value: name it and define it as I now understand it
- The ask: what I want the delegates to do this session
Partner practice
Time your partner. One gavel tap at 30 seconds remaining, two at 15.
Teacher note. Partners complete a Feedback Card for each other.
Feedback card
- Speaker (character) and value
- One thing that was clear and strong
- One specific suggestion
- Did I hear all four parts? Which was missing or weak?
- Time in seconds
Revise
Trim or add to hit ninety seconds.
Session 3 · 30 min
The Speeches
- Deliver25 min
- Wrap-up5 min
Say it
The Chair recognizes [character] of [district] on the value of [value].
The student Chair
Deliver
Listen closely. Fill in a Feedback Card for your two assigned speakers.
Teacher note. Assign listeners so every speaker receives two cards.
Wrap-up
Which value was hardest to speak about sincerely, and why? Which speech changed how you see a character?
Teacher note. Collect the cards and hand them to the speakers first.
How speeches are scored
- Structure: moment, lesson, value, ask, in order: 25
- Value understanding: 25
- Character voice: 20
- Delivery: within time, audible, eye contact, gavel signals: 20
- Feedback given: 10
Teacher note. Support: provide a completed sample speech for the Tortoise on responsibility, allow sixty seconds, let students read from the page. Challenge: assign the Wolf or the Queen of Hearts a sincere speech on respect without excusing past behavior, or connect the value to a specific bill in the class bill book.
Keep your word worth something
Caring, honesty, respect and responsibility
Eyes up here
Keyboard shortcuts and tips
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Project the slides from your laptop. Turn on Notes to see facilitation tips under the slide (keep them off while the screen is mirrored to students). Timed steps load their time into the timer automatically. Choose All slides to scroll or print every slide.