The Peace First curriculum is designed to build the knowledge, skills, relationships, and experiences that students need to become effective peacemakers at each developmental level, from Pre-K through 8th grade.

It was originally developed in 1992 in partnership with the Harvard Graduate School of Education. The curriculum is informed by the developmental education research of Dr. Robert Selman and grounded in the child development principles of Piaget and Kohlberg. Now in its 4th revision, the Peace First curriculum includes the experience and perspective of teachers and students at every stage of design, making it uniquely accessible, relevant, and easy to use. With 20 years of experience in schools, the Peace First curriculum has proven results.

Each grade level of the Peace First curriculum explores a different central theme to promote ongoing mastery of peacemaking at each developmental level. Primary and early elementary grade activities focus on helping children understand and value their personal identities, skills, and attributes; upper elementary grade activities focus on interpersonal issues of friendship, fairness, cooperation, conflict resolution, and inclusion and exclusion; middle grade lessons expand on these concepts and skills to include issues of group identity, social justice, and social action.

The curriculum/ program is designed to be implemented:

  • In school day education
  • After school program
  • Retreat/Camp
  • Club
  • Independently
  • Flexible to allow users to implement in whatever setting they are in

This curriculum/program primarily focuses on:

  • Anti-Bullying / Positive Environment Education
  • Conflict Resolution
  • Nonviolent Communication
  • Peace, nonviolence, conflict transformation
  • Peacebuilding
  • Social Emotional Learning
 

Group size that works best for the curriculum/program:

  • Large classroom (20-30 people)
  • Designed for a classroom setting, but easily used in small groups. Many games can also be used in a small family setting as well.

Age range the curriculum/program is aimed towards:

  • Pre-K
  • Primary (K-5)
  • Middle School or Junior High (6-8)
  • Many games and activities are appropriate for high school-aged students as well.
 

Time frame of instruction:

  • Full school year implementation
  • 10 Peacemaker Skills lessons (typically taught in the fall semester) and 8 Peacemaker Project lessons (typically taught in the spring semester) which are followed by a student-led community service learning project.

 

 Language of instruction/curriculum: 

  • English
  • Has been translated to Spanish
 
Monetary Program Fee?
  • No cost program

 Instruction qualifications

  • None

 

 Curriculum Contact Person if Rotarians wish to know more: