prohuman k-12 Curriculum
Learning character through literature.
The Prohuman Approach
Every person is a unique individual, united by our shared humanity. Educators serve a vital role in teaching this truth, and in nurturing the character strengths and civic virtues we need to flourish together.
Optimism, Grit, and Gratitude make resilient individuals—embracing challenges, staying hopeful, and persisting to build a foundation for personal growth and lifelong success.
Curiosity, Courage, and Compassion empower individuals to form deep, meaningful relationships, strengthening bonds and creating supportive networks for thriving communities.
Fairness, Understanding, and Humanity strengthen society through shared civic virtues, building a vibrant culture, united in recognition of the inherent dignity of every person.
The lessons
The Prohuman Curriculum is a free, flexible program combining English Language Arts (ELA), Character Education, and Social Emotional Learning (SEL). It promotes constructive dialogue, civic engagement, and global perspectives through virtuous exemplars and core texts, addressing tough topics with hope and humanity.
Browse LESSONS
What People Are Saying
Nationwide, educators are bringing the Prohuman character strengths to their classrooms and communities while meeting Common Core ELA Standards and CSED National Guidelines—for free.
Julie Markgraf
Mediator/Arbitrator
I've reviewed several of the lessons, and it's clear that they provide students with valuable tools to build strong, positive relationships and prevent many conflicts before they arise. For disputes that do occur, the Prohuman approach offers a powerful framework to shift the process from a purely adversarial dynamic to one that is more collaborative, respectful, and ultimately more just.
Dave Rosenberg
Documentary Film Director
I love that the Prohuman Curriculum includes a lesson on The Hero's Journey! Giving students an opportunity to learn about mythology and Joseph Campbell is priceless and offers young people an opportunity to go deep within themselves and see the hero that lives within. The addition of videos of Joseph Campbell being interviewed, as well as an engrossing animation video of the steps of the Hero's Journey offers students a visual modality in which to absorb even more of these educational gems!
Victor Stekoll
Social Studies Teacher, Green Acres School
What the Prohuman Foundation has created is very impressive! This curriculum has a good balance . . . of literary classics, history, philosophy, and even spiritual lessons. It has a great blend of geographic locations and time periods, as well. One of my goals in teaching social studies for so many years was to explain US and global history since 1900 such that students could understand how we got where we are today. This you also accomplished with your stories and videos of Jim Crow, the two world wars, communism, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the increasing inequality in the world.
Nick D'Amuro
Coordinator of Instructional Services, Genesee Valley BOCES
As an instructional coordinator for social studies, I often work with educators who are seeking meaningful ways to offer their students a civic narrative—one that resonates across diverse backgrounds and interests. This is not a repackaged, old-school character curriculum. The Prohuman Foundation provided us with compelling figures and character exemplars that young citizens can genuinely aspire to. Grounded in the well-supported idea that the human brain learns effectively through storytelling, the Prohuman Curriculum weaves together social-emotional learning (SEL) and civic virtues in powerful and relevant ways. I enthusiastically recommend it to all educators I support—especially at a time when fostering empathy, character, and engaged citizenship is more important than ever.
Nick D'Amuro
Coordinator of Instructional Services, Genesee Valley BOCES
As an instructional coordinator for social studies, I often work with educators who are seeking meaningful ways to offer their students a civic narrative—one that resonates across diverse backgrounds and interests. This is not a repackaged, old-school character curriculum. The Prohuman Foundation provided us with compelling figures and character exemplars that young citizens can genuinely aspire to. Grounded in the well-supported idea that the human brain learns effectively through storytelling, the Prohuman Curriculum weaves together social-emotional learning (SEL) and civic virtues in powerful and relevant ways. I enthusiastically recommend it to all educators I support—especially at a time when fostering empathy, character, and engaged citizenship is more important than ever.
Read more
Victor Stekoll
Social Studies Teacher, Green Acres School
What the Prohuman Foundation has created is very impressive! This curriculum has a good balance . . . of literary classics, history, philosophy, and even spiritual lessons. It has a great blend of geographic locations and time periods, as well. One of my goals in teaching social studies for so many years was to explain US and global history since 1900 such that students could understand how we got where we are today. This you also accomplished with your stories and videos of Jim Crow, the two world wars, communism, the Cold War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the increasing inequality in the world.
Read more
Dave Rosenberg
Documentary Film Director
I love that the Prohuman Curriculum includes a lesson on The Hero's Journey! Giving students an opportunity to learn about mythology and Joseph Campbell is priceless and offers young people an opportunity to go deep within themselves and see the hero that lives within. The addition of videos of Joseph Campbell being interviewed, as well as an engrossing animation video of the steps of the Hero's Journey offers students a visual modality in which to absorb even more of these educational gems!
Read more
Julie Markgraf
Mediator/Arbitrator
I've reviewed several of the lessons, and it's clear that they provide students with valuable tools to build strong, positive relationships and prevent many conflicts before they arise. For disputes that do occur, the Prohuman approach offers a powerful framework to shift the process from a purely adversarial dynamic to one that is more collaborative, respectful, and ultimately more just.
Read more