Guide the next Generation of dragon slayers
How Lessons Work
The lessons introduce young Dragon Slayers to the struggles, choices, virtues, and habits that shape character.
Lesson structure
Through stories, discussion, reflection, activities, Socratic dialogue, and the wisdom of great thinkers from the past, Dragon Slayers learn how everyday choices slowly shape who they become.
Some lessons explore common struggles such as anger, dishonesty, selfishness, laziness, fear, or gossip. Others focus on the virtues such as courage, honesty, generosity, perseverance, kindness, and self-control. Each lesson is designed to help Dragon Slayers not only understand these ideas, but practice recognizing them in everyday life, one choice at a time.
Dragon Slayer lessons can be adapted for classrooms, homeschool settings, discussion groups, and family conversations. Some lessons are built around stories and dialogue, while others emphasize reflection, activities, or guided discussion.
In the sections below, you will find several sample Dragon Slayer lessons, along with practical tools such as an Ember Eye guide and a flexible lesson outline. Together, these resources help Dragon Masters guide meaningful conversations, encourage virtue, and support young people as they begin putting these lessons into practice throughout everyday life.
Stories
Discussion
Reflection
Activities
Socratic Dialogue
Ancient Wisdom
Featured Lesson Preview
This featured lesson offers an example of how a Dragon Slayer lesson can combine wisdom from an ancient philosopher with reflection, discussion, and activity-based learning to help young people understand the importance of perseverance and giving effort one choice at a time.
Lesson 1 – Mundragon/Exceldragon
Marcus Aurelius on Laziness And Giving Effort
Biography
Lesson Overview
Dialogue
Activity
8 - 10 minutes
Lesson Structure Outline
Lessons are designed to be flexible, so whether Dragon Masters have extended time for reflection or only a few minutes at the beginning of the day, these lessons can be adapted to many different settings and timeframes.
Some lessons may focus more heavily on stories, dialogue, or reflection, while others may follow shorter activity-based formats such as using this lesson structure outline. For example, as this outline demonstrates, in just 8-10 minutes Dragon Masters can introduce a meaningful virtue-based idea, guide discussion or reflection, engage Dragon Slayers in an activity or conversation, and leave them with one practical action step.
These lessons are not meant to stand alone, but to serve as starting points for ongoing growth, discussion, reflection, and practice throughout everyday life.
Greeting (30 seconds)
Start each lesson with a fun and friendly greeting that gets Dragon Slayers interacting right away. Begin by greeting the group, then invite Dragon Slayers to greet one another with a cheerful phrase, high five, fist bump, handshake, or another welcoming gesture. This helps set a positive tone, build connection, and prepare Dragon Slayers to learn together.
Hook (1 - 2 minutes)
Capture their attention with something engaging and quick. This could be a powerful statement, a funny voice, an intriguing image, a short video clip, or even a quick skit. The goal is to spark curiosity and get Dragon Slayers excited about what’s coming next.
Explore the Idea (2–3 minutes)
Introduce and briefly explain the focus skill or concept for the day. Use simple language, visuals if helpful, and keep it interactive by asking a few quick questions or examples.
Activity (2–3 minutes)
Now it’s time to practice! Use role play, turn-and-talks, quick scenarios, or movement-based games to help Dragon Slayers apply what they just learned. Keep it active and focused on real-world application of the skill.
Closure & Action Step (1 minute)
Wrap it up with a final thought or reflection. Then, give Dragon Slayers a call to action. This is a challenge for them to look for moments throughout the day or week where they can use the skills they just learned. Remind them: each good choice they make will help them grow stronger and will get them one step closer to SLAYing their dragon!
Sample Narratives and Dialogues for Deeper Reflection
More Preview Lessons
To give you a further glimpse into the Order of the Dragon Slayers™ program, below are a few additional sample lessons featuring different dragons, stories, discussions, and activities.
Mundragon
Exceldragon
(move cursor over dragon image)
(tap dragon image)
Pursuing Excellence
Narrative Lesson
Naomi has a big book report due, but after procrastinating, she faces a difficult choice: take the easy path or make sacrifices to give her best effort. The lesson invites Dragon Slayers to reflect on perseverance, responsibility, and the pursuit of excellence.
Socratic Dialogue Lesson
This Socratic dialogue lesson encourages Dragon Slayers to think deeply about what it truly means to pursue excellence and give their best effort through discussion and reflection.
Pursuing Honesty & Integrity
Narrative Lesson
A group project is due, but one member of the group failed to complete his part of the work. When the teacher asks what happened, they are faced with a choice between honesty, loyalty, and avoiding consequences. The lesson invites Dragon Slayers to reflect on truthfulness, responsibility, and the courage to do what is right even when it is hard.
Socratic Dialogue Lesson
The Socratic dialogue lesson invites Dragon Slayers to think deeply about honesty, trustworthiness, half-truths, and the reasons people sometimes choose to hide or twist the truth.
(move cursor over dragon image)
Falsefire
Trueflame
grades 3-5 age groups
PowerPoint-based Lessons
In addition to stories, Socratic dialogue, and reflection activities, the Order of the Dragon Slayers™ program also includes short PowerPoint-based lessons designed for engaging classroom, homeschool, or group discussions.
This sample lesson introduces the SLAY Method and offers a glimpse into how these flexible lessons can be taught in a short 8–10 minute format. Through brief scenarios and guided reflection, Dragon Slayers learn how the SLAY Method helps them pause, think through choices, and respond intentionally in everyday situations.
lessons help Dragon Slayers understand virtues and recognize struggles
The Ember Eye
Lessons help Dragon Slayers understand virtues and recognize struggles, but real growth happens through everyday life as young people make choices in real situations. Using the Ember Eye, Dragon Masters learn to notice moments where character is taking shape and turn those moments into opportunities for encouragement, reflection, guidance, and meaningful conversations.
Below is a sample Ember Eye guide using Falsefire / Trueflame to demonstrate how Dragon Masters can recognize struggles with honesty and help guide Dragon Slayers toward virtue, one choice at a time.
Sample Resources
Trackers & Scorecards
The Order of the Dragon Slayers™ program also includes trackers and scorecards that help Dragon Masters encourage growth, reinforce good choices, and make character formation visible throughout everyday life.
These tools are designed to help students stay engaged, reflect on their choices, and recognize that transformation happens one decision at a time. As Dragon Slayers work to weaken a specific dragon and strengthen its awakened form, Dragon Masters can recognize moments of virtue by awarding sparks and flames. Each dragon includes a scorecard to help track points earned throughout the day or week, along with trackers where sparks and flames can be placed as they are earned.
As trackers begin filling with sparks and flames, Dragon Slayers can visibly see the progress they are making through repeated intentional choices. When a dragon is finally SLAYed, its awakened form can then be prominently displayed as the focus shifts from overcoming the struggle to helping the awakened dragon continue to grow and thrive. This teaches Dragon Slayers that character formation is not simply about overcoming struggles, nor does it happen in a single moment. Instead, it is an ongoing journey of practicing virtues and making intentional choices every day.