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 Prohuman Curriculum is a free, flexible program combining ELA, Character Education, and SEL. It promotes constructive dialogue, civic engagement, and global perspectives through virtuous exemplars and core texts, addressing tough topics with hope and humanity.
featured lessons
What is Optimism?
Unit 1, Lesson 1, “What is Optimism?” introduces the spelling and definition of the word optimism. Students will learn examples of optimism, provided by the teacher and an accompanying video. Additionally, students will practice the correct spelling of optimism, demonstrate comprehension through a pictorial demonstration, and practice conversation skills by sharing their illustrations with a partner.
Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text
In Unit 8, Lesson 2, “Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text,” students will develop their reading comprehension skills and learn examples of understanding by watching a lecture and reading an interview with Daryl Davis, who inspired over 200 members of the KKK to leave the organization. Additionally, students will develop their critical thinking skills by answering questions about the text and advance their academic dialogue skills by participating in a class discussion about the interview.
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Writing a Narrative About Grit
In Unit 2, Lesson 3, “Writing a Narrative About Grit,” students will write narratives about how they, or a character they create, have shown grit. Students will develop real or imagined experiences or events with a narrator and/or characters. Their narratives will include dialogue, descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings, temporal words and phrases to signal event order, and a sense of closure.
Peer Review of Hero’s Journey Narratives
In Unit 9, Lesson 4, “Peer Review of Hero’s Journey Narratives,” students will participate in a peer review of 3 classmates’ writings. Students will write a one-page peer review letter for each student in their group and participate in respectful discussions where they share the successful aspects of their classmates’ work and provide constructive feedback for revision.
What is Optimism?
Unit 1, Lesson 1, “What is Optimism?” introduces the spelling and definition of the word optimism. Students will learn examples of optimism, provided by the teacher and an accompanying video. Additionally, students will practice the correct spelling of optimism, demonstrate comprehension through a pictorial demonstration, and practice conversation skills by sharing their illustrations with a partner.
Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text
In Unit 8, Lesson 2, “Learning Understanding from a Nonfiction Text,” students will develop their reading comprehension skills and learn examples of understanding by watching a lecture and reading an interview with Daryl Davis, who inspired over 200 members of the KKK to leave the organization. Additionally, students will develop their critical thinking skills by answering questions about the text and advance their academic dialogue skills by participating in a class discussion about the interview.
Writing a Narrative About Grit
In Unit 2, Lesson 3, “Writing a Narrative About Grit,” students will write narratives about how they, or a character they create, have shown grit. Students will develop real or imagined experiences or events with a narrator and/or characters. Their narratives will include dialogue, descriptions of actions, thoughts, and feelings, temporal words and phrases to signal event order, and a sense of closure.
Peer Review of Hero’s Journey Narratives
In Unit 9, Lesson 4, “Peer Review of Hero’s Journey Narratives,” students will participate in a peer review of 3 classmates’ writings. Students will write a one-page peer review letter for each student in their group and participate in respectful discussions where they share the successful aspects of their classmates’ work and provide constructive feedback for revision.
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Elizabeth Freeman
In this lesson, students explore the life of Elizabeth Freeman, an enslaved woman who won her freedom through the legal system during the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her curiosity and courage helped her challenge injustice while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Anna Smith Strong
In this lesson, students explore the life of Anna Smith Strong, the only female member of George Washington’s Culper Spy Ring. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her courage helped deliver top‐secret information during the Revolutionary War while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Nanyehi
In this lesson, students explore the life of Nanyehi (Nancy Ward), a Cherokee leader and peacemaker during the American Revolution. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her leadership and humanity shaped treaty negotiations while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Deborah Sampson
In this lesson, students explore the life of Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her grit shaped her service to the Patriot cause and later role as one of the nation’s earliest female lecturers while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
Women in the American Revolution: The Story of Esther de Berdt Reed
In this lesson, students explore the life of Esther de Berdt Reed, who published “The Sentiments of an American Woman” and led a major fundraising effort for American troops during the Revolutionary War. Through close reading and character analysis, they examine how her compassion inspired collective action while practicing evidence‐based discussion and writing skills.
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.
Donald Summers
Founder, Altruist Partners
Certified teacher and school principal here: This curriculum is the real deal.
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