Our Curriculum

Mentors will establish key Peace by PEACE tools/routines. These include the Reflection Question (introduced at the beginning of each unit and discussed at the end), the Peace Box (for students to submit questions or answers to the Reflection Question anonymously), the Peace Passport (a student activity book), and more. Together, mentors and students will set expectations and goals for Peace by PEACE sessions. Key concepts like choice, consequence, and win-win situations will be introduced, setting the foundation for later units.

This unit explores all aspects of conflict. A large portion will focus on the Conflict Escalator, a major fixture in the Peace by PEACE curriculum. The Escalator and its memorable mnemonic will help students understand how their actions and emotions can contribute to escalating and de-escalating conflicts.

Students will learn how to recognize emotions and their physical manifestations through the Wheel-o-Feelings, then navigate these emotions. This is connected to building a strong Inner Power (a.k.a. self-esteem) to reframe destructive negative self-talk and build resilience against peer pressure.

In a continuation of the discussion of emotions, students learn how empathy can positively impact the emotions of others. In a series of interactive activities, they will practice identifying the difference between sympathy and empathy, identifying Empathy Busters (responses that can hurt others’ feelings), and formulating empathetic responses.

Students will learn key skills to communicate productively during a conflict and de-escalate it using tools such as I-statements, apologies, and negotiation. Each skill will be broken down into simple, easy-to-remember steps and consolidated in fun, movement-based activities.

Mentors will highlight the importance of diversity, particularly in the classroom, by demonstrating how to celebrate similarities and differences. Students will also learn how to identify discrimination and stereotypes in a diverse community, and practice fostering an inclusive environment using Peace by PEACE tools.

This unit expands on diversity by discussing power and privilege, and equality versus equity. Students will learn how different perspectives and ‘tunnel vision’ can promote or hinder diversity and conflicts, particularly in the historical context of the Indigenous peoples. They will demonstrate how to use their privileges to support others and create equitable situations.

Students will explore the effects of bullying behaviours and how to overcome/de-escalate these situations as well as the nuances of online messaging and how cyberbullying can arise. The mentors will emphasize the usage of person-first language, challenging stigma toward specific roles in bullying situations.

Students will make connections between Peace by PEACE concepts and their real-life experiences in the context of community and life skills. This unit’s activities will encourage students to help others, promote peace, and boost each others' belonging and connection within their communities.

The last session is a culmination of all the skills learned in previous weeks, as well as a celebration of the students’ achievements. Students will engage in a series of fun activities designed to consolidate their knowledge of key Peace by PEACE skills, then participate in a classroom graduation ceremony.