Curricular Units
TNP curricula teaches students that there is no such thing as normal and all ways of being are valuable. Our units introduce key concepts in 8- to 10-lesson units (30-minutes/lesson). Units can be used flexibly and include implementation support for teachers. Click or scroll to learn more about our Curricular Unit offerings:
D.E.A.R. Discussions
About the Curriculum:
Designed for students in grades PreK to 3, this series of lessons is based around a "Drop Everything and Read"(D.E.A.R.) format. It addresses emotional literacy and regulation, empathy skills, and celebrating disability as a form of human diversity. These simple lessons can be adapted for students in preschool through third grade.
This unit contains 10 lesson plans for 10 picture books by diverse authors featuring a broad array of characters.
Section 1: Understanding Our Feelings
Book 1: Today I Feel Silly
Book 2: Listening to My Body
Section 2: Developing Empathy
Book 3: Start with Sorry
Book 4: You, Me and Empathy
Section 3: Developing an Ability Inclusive Mindset
Book 5: Normal Norman
Book 6: The Invisible Boy
Book 7: The New Kid Welcome / Welcome the New Kid
Book 8: Friends of All Kinds
Book 9: What Happened to You?
Book 10: A Kids Book About Disabilities
Project Play
About the Curriculum:
This program, designed for a setting structured around recreation and play, engages children ages 6 to 12 in learning about friendship, emotional regulation, empathy, and diversity. Project Play is a perfect fit for a camp setting or child care program, or a supplement to extracurricular activities.
This unit contains 10 lesson plans featuring fun activities that will help teach skills and build community:
Lesson 1: Similarities vs. Differences
Lesson 2: Identifying Emotions
Lesson 3: Body Indicators
Lesson 4: Empathy
Lesson 5: Empathy in Action
Lesson 6: Diversity
Lesson 7: Risk Taking
Lesson 8: Communication
Lesson 9: Inclusion
Lesson 10: Putting it All Together
AIM For an Inclusive Classroom
About the Curriculum:
Designed for students in grades 3 to 5, this unit provides essential instruction in empathy and friendship skills. Students explore how to manage their own emotions, how to demonstrate empathy toward others, and how to be a good friend to everyone.
This unit contains 9 lessons:
Lesson 1: Identifying, Labeling, and Managing Emotions
Lesson 2: Productive Problem Solving
Lesson 3: Becoming a Feelings Detective
Lesson 4: Defining Empathy
Lesson 5: Demonstrating Empathy
Lesson 6: What Does It Mean To Be A Good Friend?
Lesson 7: We Feel Invisible When We’re Left Out
Lesson 8: Developing an Ability Inclusive Mindset
Lesson 9: Small Adjustments Make A Big Difference
Everyone Has a Story
About the Curriculum:
Co-written with author and professional storyteller Kevin Kling, this unit offers students a chance to explore their identity through storytelling. While most students only experience storytelling instruction in formal reading and writing lessons, this unit invites students to play with storytelling through different mediums and activities and introduces them to the work of a diverse group of storytellers. This unit for students in grades 3 to 5 can easily be adapted for middle-school students.
This unit includes 10 lessons:
Lesson 1: What is Storytelling
Lesson 2: The Power of Storytelling
Lesson 3: Our Stories are Our Identity
Lesson 4: Your Story Collection
Lesson 5: Adding to Your Collection
Lesson 6: Pick Your Story
Lesson 7: Develop Your Story
Lesson 8: Continue to Develop Your Story
Lesson 9: Share Your Story
Lesson 10: Host a Story Slam (optional)
STEMpathy
About the Curriculum:
The STEMpathy program is designed to empower students in grades 6 to 12 to optimize belonging for all. Using the Engineering Design Process and applying what they learn about disability studies and ableism, students work together in an inclusive club or classroom setting and take on a project that will make their school more inclusive from a physical, social or cultural standpoint.
STEMpathy is divided into four phases:
Phase 1: Orientation to the Work
Phase 2: Identifying Problems and Generating Solutions
Phase 3: Executing the Plan
Phase 4: Sharing and Reflecting
Introduction to Disability Studies
About the Curriculum:
Introduction to Disability Studies takes a deep dive into disability awareness education, disability history, and disability justice. Students in grades 6 to 12 will learn about disability as a form of human diversity, how to be an aspiring ally, and how to be an includer.
Units can be paced according to teacher needs, with multiple lessons in a week for a shorter time frame, or stretched out over a longer period.
This unit includes 9 lessons:
Lesson 1: Disability is Diversity
Lesson 2: Understanding Disability
Lesson 3: An Introduction to Ableism
Lesson 4: Imagining a Truly Equitable Society
Lesson 5: Disability History
Lesson 6: Digging into the Disability Rights Movement
Lesson 7: Where Are We Now?
Lesson 8: Shifting Mindsets
Lesson 9: Taking Informed Action