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An Innovative Violence Prevention Curriculum

You Belong Here

k-12th grade

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curriculum overview

An Innovative Violence Prevention Curriculum

A comprehensive violence prevention curriculum designed to transform communities by addressing violence at every level. This innovative program seamlessly integrates primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention methods to create a holistic approach that fosters safer environments for all.

This holistic approach addresses the root cause of all violence: the human need for belonging. Instead of treating forms of violence as isolated incidents, it instills values like empathy, accountability, and emotional agility from Kindergarten to High School. This proactive approach not only aims to curb harmful behaviors but also fosters community, resilience, and personal well-being, providing students with life-long skills.

standards met

A comprehensive curricula that aligns with national health and violence prevention standards

Contact for Specific Standards Met

In alignment with CASEL framework

In alignment with the National Health Education Standards

In alignment with the CDC National Standards

Who is this curriculum for?

YBH is crafted for all students from Kindergarten to High School. The curriculum is structured  to be implemented across grade levels, progressively building on skills acquired at developmentally suitable stages.

How was the curriculum developed?

Nest’s programming is grounded in research-based prevention strategies and has gone through multiple rounds of review by our diverse board of educational advisors. Learn more about the expert voices contributing to this curriculum.

Does it work?

Since 2014, Nest has collaborated with Columbia University's Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry to monitor student progress resulting from our curricula. Our programs enhance students' safety awareness, including online safety, and foster increased community involvement and social advocacy.

lesson scaffolding

Building Students Up

Every grade level begins with an Introductory lesson where community agreements are made by students. Following this lesson are 6-9 unique lessons for each grade level.

Kindergarten

  1. Kindness in Kindergarten Part A

  2. Kindness in Kindergarten Part B

  3. Managing Big Feelings

  4. Boundaries: Asking for & Giving Consent

  5. Boundaries: Safe & Unsafe Behaviors

  6. Bullying & Upstander Behavior

  7. Respecting Others & Belonging

  8. Making Space for Grief & Loss

1st - 5th Grade

  1. Kindness & Connection

  2. Managing Strong Emotions

  3. Boundaries: Safe & Unsafe Behaviors

  4. Bystander Behavior & Help Seeking

  5. Respecting Others & Belonging

  6. Grief & Loss

6th Grade

  1. Who Am I: Identity and Decision Making

  2. Forming Community Agreements

  3. Why and How Do We Connect?

  4. Connection Through Kindness

  5. Building a Belonging Community

  6. Significance and Building Resilience

  7. Digital Wellbeing

  8. Cyberbullying

  9. Rejection and Social Pain

  10. Mental Health & Illness

  11. Lacking Belonging, Losing Significance

  12. Grooming: Who Do We Trust Online?

  13. Radicalization and Media Literacy

  14. Relationship Behaviors

  15. Communication and Conflict Resolution

  16. A Blueprint for Belonging

7th/8th Grade

  1. Who Am I: Identity and Decision Making

  2. Forming Community Agreements

  3. Why and How Do We Connect?

  4. Connection Through Kindness

  5. Building a Belonging Community

  6. Significance and Building Resilience

  7. Digital Wellbeing

  8. Cyberbullying

  9. Rejection and Social Pain

  10. Mental Health & Illness

  11. Lacking Belonging, Losing Significance

  12. Grooming: Who Do We Trust Online?

  13. Radicalization and Media Literacy

  14. Relationship Behaviors

  15. Communication and Conflict Resolution

  16. A Blueprint for Belonging

Health I

  1. Health Relationships & Abusive Relationships

  2. The Danger of Silence

  3. What Makes a Relationship a Healthy One?

  4. Healthy Conflict and How to Fight Fair

  5. Accountability and How to Apologize

  6. Boundaries: What Are They, What Are They Not

  7. Consent & Rejection: How to Say and Respond to a 'No'

  8. How to Break Up

  9. Navigating Endings

  10. What Non-Consent Looks Like

  11. Why Consent Matters

  12. Protecting Ourselves and Others

  13. Prototyping Our Solutions: Part 1

  14. Prototyping Our Solutions: Part 2

  15. Closing Lesson

Health II

  1. What is Violence?

  2. Biased Attitudes Part 1: Social Identity & Groups

  3. Biased Attitudes Part 2: Culture

  4. Digital Dynamics: Understanding Dehumanization & Social Media Responsibility

  5. From Attitudes to Actions

  6. Radicalization

  7. Case Studies: Tracking the Violence Pyramid

  8. Pyramid of Peace: Part 1 Bridging Differences

  9. Pyramid of Peace: Part 2 Perspective-Taking

  10. Pyramid of Peace: Part 3 Assertive Communication & Conflict Resolution

  11. Violence Prevention: Project Planning

  12. Violence Prevention: Project Presentations

  13. Closing & Critical Reflection

course topics

peEk inside the curriculum

elementary school

First Grade

Lesson 3:
Boundaries & Assertive Communication
Students will each learn about personal boundaries and practice using assertive communication to communicate a personal physical boundary.

Sample lesson plan

high school

Health II

Lesson 2:
Breaking the Cycle: Understanding & Preventing Interpersonal Violence
This lesson begins by defining Interpersonal Violence. Students will be challenged to identify strategies for responding to and preventing Interpersonal Violence.

sample lesson slide deck

course topics

peak inside the curriculum

elementary school

First Grade

lesson 1

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of their own role in creating a balanced, peaceful, kind community by creating the building blocks for a “kindness bridge” in the classroom.

lesson 2

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of their own role in creating a balanced, peaceful, kind community by creating the building blocks for a “kindness bridge” in the classroom.

lesson 3

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of their own role in creating a balanced, peaceful, kind community by creating the building blocks for a “kindness bridge” in the classroom.

lesson 4

In this lesson, students will learn the importance of their own role in creating a balanced, peaceful, kind community by creating the building blocks for a “kindness bridge” in the classroom.

curriculum license

What's Included?

Evidence-Based Lessons for Grades K-12

2-Year Campus License Agreement

Online Teacher Portal Access

Easy to navigate, up-to-date teacher portal with all lesson materials, handouts, and support resources.

Asynchronous Training

Self-paced asynchronous training specifically crafted to support implementation

Customizable Live Training (optional)

Available for additional cost.

Nest Concierge Service

Regular virtual office hours available for campus staff seeking implementation support.

Discount on Nest Workshops

For students and/or school staff. Learn more about Nest Workshops.

easy implementation

We Value Teachers' Time.

Nest reduces barriers for implementation through time-efficient educator trainings with concrete takeaways and an incredibly easy to use teacher portal.

learn more

frequently asked questions

Is the “You Belong Here” curriculum considered a Social Emotional Learning curriculum?

Our 'You Belong Here' (YBH) curriculum prevents violence by addressing the interconnectedness of all acts of harm, and uncovering their single root cause - the human need for significance & belonging. Using proven social-emotional learning (SEL) framework, our programming builds empathy, accountability, gratitude, and emotional agility through human-centered education. Nest students ultimately build better connections and stronger communities so they can flourish both in their childhoods and throughout their lives.

Are the lessons intended to be taught in sequential order?

Yes, YBH lessons are designed with a gradual scaffold and build upon each other. Teaching them in order will assure that students develop the necessary skills to move forward with the material.

How many lessons are included in the curriculum?

There are 5-6 lessons for each unique grade level, except at the middle school level. Based on Health standards, 7th and 8th grade lessons are combined.

Who are the lessons designed to be taught by?

The YBH curriculum is aligned with national and state Health Education standards, therefore Health educators typically teach this material. However, every school district/organization can decide who is the most qualified (and trained) to facilitate the YBH curriculum.

How long are the lessons in this curriculum?

The lessons within this curriculum address challenging topics. They have been created for skill building, engagement, discussion, and critical thinking. Facilitators should prepare 45-50 minutes for lessons, if being taught in its entirety.

How do staff members get trained?

Asynchronous training will be embedded in the teacher portal. School districts/organizations can request live training in person training for an additional cost.

Can counselors and teachers co-facilitate lessons?

Yes, any trained professional can facilitate these lessons.

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Interested in bringing the YBH Curriculum to your School?