This lesson was developed as part of Missouri's eMINTS Project (enhancing Missouri's Instructional Networked Teaching Strategies).

This lesson focuses on the six pillars of character. Students research different websites to find the meaning of the six pillars of character. They apply each trait to their own lives and continue to study heroes and celebrities who display these traits. Students then find members of the faculty or staff in their school who display these character traits. They interview their candidate and create an award for that person and a powerpoint that focuses on how this person practices these character traits in his/her life. The show begins! Each group will present their contestant on the "American Hero" reality television series and a studio audience (another classroom) will choose who gets the title of "American Hero".

Learners
This activity was designed for the fourth grade but could easily be adapted to third or fifth grade. This lesson will be used as an introduction to character education at the beginning of the year. Additional learning activities will be tied to literature.

Standards
As a result of this lesson students will learn:

Communication Arts Standards

Read and evaluate non-fiction (CA 3)
Participate in formal and informal presentation and discussion of issues and ideas (CA 6)

Fine Arts

Process and techniques for production and exhibition of visual arts (FA 1)

Social Studies

Relationships of individuals and groups to institutions and cultural traditions (SS 6)

Social Studies Standards Addressed

     Recognize the relationships among the various parts of a nation's
     cultural life. 
     Learn about the mythology, legends, values, and beliefs of a
     people.