A belief is an internal feeling that something is true, even though that belief may be unproven or irrational.
eg I believe that walking under a ladder brings bad luck, or I believe that there is life after death.
A value is a measure of the worth or importance a person attaches to something; our values are often reflected in
the way we live our lives. eg I value freedom of speech, or I value my family.
An attitude is the way a person expresses or applies their beliefs and values, and is expressed through words and
behaviour.
eg I get really upset when I hear about cruelty to children and animals, or I hate school.
Beliefs, Values and Attitudes contains 15 lesson activities under the topic headings of:
1. What the Words ‘Beliefs, Values and Attitudes’ Mean
Activity 1, for students to have some understanding of what beliefs are and how wide-ranging they might be.
Activity 2, for students to explore their beliefs about themselves and consider the value of building and maintaining self-belief.
Activity 3, for students to understand something of what values are and to examine and discuss their own values on a
range of issues.
Activity 4, for students to clarify their own attitudes on a range of issues, while considering the views of others.
Activity 5, for students to identify the influences on children and young people, and the way in which these influences
affect the development of their beliefs, values and attitudes.
2. Personal and Social Issues
Activity 6, for students to explore a controversial issue, and to understand that responses to this issue are influenced
by a range of different beliefs, values and attitudes.
Activity 7, for students to explore and agree a broad definition of disability, increase their awareness of the range of
different types of disability and consider their responses to disability.
Activity 8, for students to identify where and what they have learned about sex and relationships, and the extent to
which this has formed their beliefs, values and attitudes.
Activity 9, to explore and challenge students’ beliefs, values and attitudes to drug use.
Activity 10, for students to consider what responsible behaviour means, and to understand that what is responsible is
affected by a range of factors.
3. Difference and Diversity
Activity 11, for students to consider the range of ways in which we are all different, and to celebrate diversity.
Activity 12, for students to consider the ways in which people respond to difference, and how this can lead to prejudice
and discrimination.
Activity 13, for students to understand what we mean by a pluralistic society and how it needs to accommodate a
range of beliefs, values, attitudes, behaviours and lifestyles.
Activity 14, for students to identify common values for a pluralistic society, and consider how those might be applied in
challenging situations.
Activity 15, for students to consider different beliefs, values and attitudes towards religion.
Beliefs, Values and Attitudes © Myra Anderson and Stephen De Silva, 2009. ISBN 978-1-905801-09-1 Series editor Hilary Dixon.
28pp. A4.
Sample Pages, click the pages below for a pdf version of the sample pages where you can read the text clearly:
