Premier Character for Life Agendas for Middle grades 7 & 8
Coach John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success™—provides a framework for teaching students about the components of
character. The Character for Life video series supports the monthly character themes from the Pyramid of Success™ within
the student’s agenda workbook. Coupling onTrac student planner and lesson with this content provides a daily focus on
positive behavior and character building skills.
Objectives:
1. Introduce students to character traits within John Wooden’s Pyramid of Success™ using both visual images and real-life
examples.
2. Enable students to visually experience how average people are “living character” every day. Discussion points are aligned
with DVD’s and the weekly and monthly themes within the student planner includes student assessment quiz.
3. The onTrac™ planning system provides the framework for the development of planning skills. Weekly calendar pages
within the student agendas prompt students in the fundamentals of planning: to think, record, act and check. (see
onTRAC™ planning attached)
4. Support the development of the student’s interpersonal skills and social development. Content aligns with the National
Career Development Guidelines and Health Standards.
5. As part of school-to career programs, introduce students to 8 of the 16 career clusters. Provide students the opportunity
to hear about career paths directly from people living these careers.
6. Communicate the school’s mission statement including its safety policy and the school’s conduct and discipline code as required
by law.
Eleven videos coordinate with eleven monthly themes within the student planner; each DVD covers a monthly character theme, its definition and
visually depicts the character trait(s) in action. Learning is supported with a 12-page teacher edition, Character for Life companion booklet
includes discussion points aligned with monthly topics, year-end student assessment; staff implementation DVD.
Month Theme Pyramid Of Success Definition Interviewee Career Awareness Gender/Ethnicity
August Character for Life Pyramid of Success Overview & Introduction
overview
September Industriousness & • Worthwhile results comes form hard work Sam Tamez Ranch Foreman - Male/Hispanic
Enthusiasm and careful planning. Agriculture
• Be excited about what you are doing
October Friendship • Show your friends respect, expect respect Loretta Seredni Transportation - Female/Caucasian
from your friends Transportation
November Loyalty & • Be true to yourself and to those who John Sandoval Firefighter - Law, Public Male/Hispanic
Cooperation depend on you. Safety, Corrections &
• Be more interested in finding the best way. Security
Not in having your way.
December Self-Control • Control yourself; let good judgment and Magnus Gervol Deputy Sheriff - Law, Male/Caucasian
common sense guide you. Public Safety,
Corrections & Security
January Alertness & • Watch and observe, be eager to learn and Audrey O’Hagan Architect - Architecture Female/African
Initiative improve. & Construction American
• Take action, don’t be afraid to make
mistakes--learn form them
February Intentness • Be determined with your goals and stay Brian Miller Composer - Arts, A/V Male/Caucasian
the course. Keep working until you achieve Technology and
them. Construction
March Condition & Skill • Keep your mind, body and spirit healthy. T.J. Storm Martial Artist Male/African
• Learn well, learn the details; practice them Instructor - Education American
every day. and Training
April Team Spirit • Sacrifice personal interest for the good of De Perrin Chef - Hospitality & Female/Caucasian
the team. Tourism
May Poise & Confidence • Just be yourself. Avoid pose or pretense. Dr. Tiffany Wolters Veterinarian - Health Female/Caucasian
Don’t get rattled by events. Veterinarian - Health Science
• Know yourself, trust yourself, respect Science
yourself Female/Caucasian
June Competitive • Be at your personal best when your Review and self assessment
Greatness personal best is needed, enjoy a difficult
challenge
OnTrac™ Planning Component
Character Development agendas ate embedded with the onTRAC™ planning process, which encourages students to approach planning
as a means to achieving the things that really matter to them, both immediately and in the longer term. This step-by-step planning
system guides students through the process of thinking about the bigger picture of their life, including their goals and their plans in
all areas of life; to record what they need and want to do in a way that keeps this important information accessible and visible; to
schedule, prioritize, and act on their plans; and to look back, self-assess, check how they did, and adjust their go-ahead plans
accordingly. Simple and user-friendly, onTRAC puts planning in a meaningful, motivational context for students, and is integrated in
Premier agendas in a developmentally appropriate way for each age group. Premier TimeTracker/Bilingual agendas also include
extensive onTRAC user guides right up front to help students most effectively use their agendas and the onTRAC planning system.
The onTRAC planning system supports all types of learners in developing essential planning skills.
includes word and icon prompts, upfront student user guide provides information for student and family on use of student planner
supported with online resources and lesson plans,
Provides a system organizing planning into simple steps that prompt students to Think, Record, Act and Check.
Students grade range Objectives:
(excerpted from K-12 chart)
Middle 6-8 Students should be able to:
Understand the importance of goal setting
Set meaningful short and long-term personal goals
Use goal-setting to drive behavior
Understand the connection between achieving goals and one’s behavior
Use a calendar to keep track of daily and future assignments, events, and reminders
Use a calendar to schedule and plan their use of time outside of school
Make good choices about the use of their time
Understand the consequences that result from failing to keep commitments or complete tasks
Assess how well they are able to complete tasks according to schedule
Independently use a calendar to plan out the steps and time needed to complete a project
Identify ways in which decisions and choices made today can impact the future
Identify the connection between good study skills and academic success