One lesson from each grade level is provided as an example of the curriculum.

The following is a brief description of the lesson purposes and a guide to help you understand the Resources Included section of each lesson.

Each grade level has seven units which are titled after the seven basic principles and standards.  Each unit has five lessons to facilitate the Five Step Teaching Process.

Step I - Stimulating Interest

The purpose of this step is to engage the students, get their attention, and introduce the concept(s) for the unit.  This is accomplished by using activities that are "fun."  Grabbers, stories, games, or other activities with high levels of student involvement are included.  This serves as an introduction for the concept and generates enthusiasm for the entire unit.

Step II - Modeling the Concept

The purpose of this step is to model the principle or standard through the use of examples.  These examples may come from children's literature, role playing, or situations from children's daily experiences.  The teacher provides an explanation and directs the discussion so that the principles and standards are clearly portrayed for the students.

Step III - Integrating the Concept

The purpose of this step is to connect the new concept with the students' prior knowledge and/or experiences.  The teacher will also discuss the relationship between the new concept and the other principles and standards taught in the program.  This gives the concept a "conceptual home."

Step IV - Learning Link with Parents

Linking parents or guardians with the school while teaching character education is the purpose of this step.  It provides an opportunity for the children and their parents to interact with regard to the program content.  The parents are invited to be active participants in the homework assignments.  This accomplishes three purposes:  1) the concept is reinforced as students share it and explain it to their parents, 2) parents know and can support what is being taught to their children at school, and 3) parents can supply their own connotation and perspective of the basic concepts taught in the AEGIS program.

Step V - Extending into Real Life

The purpose of this step is to apply the character education concepts to real life - the family and community in which students live.  Students learn and practice key skills that enable the application of the principles and concepts.  They participate in an actual application of the concept in their home, classroom, or community.

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With each of the Five Step lessons, a list is given of the resources the AEGIS program provides for you.  There are ten categories of resources:

Worksheets are those items that students will be writing, coloring, cutting, or gluing, etc.  These should be sent home with the students or displayed in the classroom as the lesson directs.  Blackline Master (copy of every Worksheet) is the last section of each grade level.  The page number for each Worksheet is in parentheses and is printed with the Worksheet's name under the Resources included section.  The Blackline Master page number is printed in brackets next to the curriculum page number.  For example, "Worksheet:  A Picture of Myself (pg. 15) [Blackline pg. 2]".

Journal Pages are similar to worksheets in that they are intended for use by the students.  They are set apart from worksheets because they have a higher level of importance.  Journal Pages help students think about each character concept on an individual level.  Space for writing and drawing is provided.

Patterns are those items that the teacher will color, cut, glue, construct, or display for use as part of the lesson.

Stories are just that - stories.  They supplement the lesson by providing examples of the concept(s) and/or skill(s) being taught.

Problem Solvers are stories provided for use with any game that is included as an activity in the lesson.

Parent Letters are letters sent home with the student to his/her parent or caregiver. 

Lesson Supplements are items that are used in the lesson and are not printed in the columns of the lesson text.  These include Practice Situation, P.E. Activities, and any other lesson supplements other that Directions and Patterns.

Posters are display items that give a step-by-step process for some of the skill elements.

Directions are instructions for activities to be used during the lesson or instructions for the construction of Patterns or Worksheets.

Extra Activities are those activities that are provided for use to reinforce the concept(s)/skill(s) being taught, but are optional and not used in the lesson.