Mosaic

About

Mosaic is a custom inclusivity and empathy curriculum collaboratively designed by Trevor educators for Trevor students in Preschool through Grade 12 aimed at raising awareness of the importance of empathy, and fostering kindness and compassion within communities. The goal of Mosaic is to promote holistic relationships with one’s self, others, the environment, and technology. Mosaic offers a series of developmentally-appropriate lesson plans facilitated by faculty twice per month to foster the safety and well-being of students and community. Discussions and reflections upon these topics promote a deep understanding of the multiple dimensions of human diversity; they include a culture of “kindness,” respect, and inclusion, with the aim of launching global citizens prepared for pluralism and civic life.

Lower School

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Threes: Feelings & Emotions

In the Threes class, our Mosaic curriculum is rooted in fostering emotional growth, self-awareness, and meaningful connection. Throughout the year, we explore a wide range of feelings by helping children identify emotions in themselves and others. We provide language to name these feelings and introduce age-appropriate strategies—like deep breathing, movement, or quiet reflection—that support children in navigating their “big feelings” in healthy and empowering ways.

To support this learning, we use puppets and visual images that bring abstract concepts to life in playful, age-appropriate ways. Puppets serve as familiar and comforting tools that help children better understand emotions through storytelling and role-play, while visual images offer clear, relatable cues to support recognition and discussion of feelings.

Our approach is hands-on, personal, and deeply responsive to the unique identities and experiences of each child. Through engaging, developmentally rich lessons and classroom experiences, students are encouraged to express themselves, build empathy, and develop confidence in both their voices and their choices.
Pre-Kindergarten: Emotional Intelligence

In Pre-K we focus on self awareness—exploring our own emotional intelligence and the ways in which we can be helpful, fair, and active in our world. Students build empathy, kindness, and cooperation through the shared experiences of creating art, singing, dancing, and discussion. Through these varied mediums, students explore all of the ways that they can express and share their own emotions and how they can build their awareness of the emotions of others.
Kindergarten: Abilities & Differences

Throughout our Kindergarten Mosaic curriculum, we explore the theme of differences and abilities. Through engaging read-alouds, thoughtful discussions, and hands-on activities, we talk about topics such as skin color, abilities , gender, socioeconomic differences, and more. Classroom collaborations, community projects, and story-based lessons bring student identity to the forefront and encourages Kindergarteners to honor one another and their contributions to the global community.
1st Grade: Kindness & Forgiveness

In first grade, students explore the power of kindness and forgiveness in building a positive and respectful community. Students learn how kindness works, how to make helpful choices, and how understanding others can make a big difference. Through “bucket fillers,” “put ups and put downs,” and kindness notes, students discover ways to care for others, nature, and themselves. Learning how to forgive and why it matters, students gain tools for resolving conflict and the merits of forgiveness.
2nd Grade: Gratitude & Appreciation

Students in second grade focus on developing a gratitude practice. Throughout our year-long program, we practice viewing the world through a lens of gratitude for oneself, for one another, for our community, and for our planet and the resources it provides. Lessons focus on expressing gratitude from the perspective of different points of view, encouraging appreciation and thankfulness for all aspects of life.
3rd Grade: Empathy & Compassion

In third grade, our Mosaic curriculum centers on empathy and compassion—what the words mean, why they matter, and how we practice them. We begin by exploring the complexity of how emotions are felt, expressed, and received differently by others. Students consider how empathy extends beyond humans and shouldn't be conditional on appearance, behavior, or relationship. Through skits, comics, and reflective conversations, students practice recognizing needs, offering support, and becoming more thoughtful, caring members of their communities.
4th Grade: Mindfulness

In the fourth grade, students build independence, self-awareness, and social understanding. The social-emotional learning focus supports this by encouraging mindfulness, resilience, and positive communication. Through active and discussion-based activities like movement, breathing, puzzles, and role-playing, students learn to manage emotions, work with others, and understand different ways of learning. These experiences help them reflect, solve problems, and grow as confident, compassionate learners who can manage their time, emotions, and relationships effectively.
5th Grade: Digital Citizenship & Community Engagement

The 5th-grade Mosaic curriculum begins with a focus on digital citizenship, where students learn about topics such as "footprints" or digital footprints, etiquette, digital health, and responsibility. In addition to digital citizenship, the curriculum emphasizes community engagement throughout the year. Students partner with outside organizations working in a variety of areas including food insecurity, urban farming, and clean water access. These meaningful, hands-on activities connect classroom learning to real-world experiences. This dual focus equips students with both the skills to navigate the digital world responsibly and the empathy to engage actively with their broader community.

Middle School

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6th Grade: Ethics

Ethics, the study of universal principles of fairness and respect for all people, is essential for students’ individual lives, community, and society as a whole. It goes beyond simply understanding what is right or wrong; it involves cultivating values that contribute to a better world. By embracing ethical principles, students can drive positive change and work toward creating a more just and inclusive society. This includes confronting systemic inequalities, promoting equity and diversity, and ensuring that everyone has equal opportunities and access to resources, regardless of race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, abilities or socioeconomic status.
7th Grade: Cultures, Religions & Worldviews

The 7th-grade Mosaic curriculum helps students understand that each person is uniquely distinct, shaped by individual thoughts, perspectives, and experiences. These differences often stem from diverse cultures, religions, and worldviews. Everyone belongs to multiple, interconnected cultures, and to truly understand ourselves and others, we must recognize and appreciate the cultural influences that shape us. The world is vast and fascinating, and it becomes even more so as students explore and learn about the myriad of ways people live and interact within it.
8th Grade: Social Media & Technology

Social media significantly influences teen culture, with surveys revealing that 90% of teens aged 13-17 use social media platforms. Additionally, two-thirds of teens own mobile devices with internet access, spending an average of nearly nine hours online daily, excluding homework time. Given this heavy engagement, it is crucial to provide guidance for teens. The 8th-grade Mosaic curriculum guides students in effectively navigating the opportunities, challenges, and potential pitfalls of social media.

Upper School

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9th Grade: Mental Health

The 9th-grade Mosaic curriculum focuses on Mental Health & Well-being, equipping students with tools to manage stress, build strong friendships, and navigate high school. Throughout the year, students explore their support network at Trevor and learn techniques for active listening and fostering supportive relationships. Key lessons emphasize the importance of sleep, managing phone use, and practicing gratitude. A significant component of the course involves learning and applying mindfulness techniques to enhance presence and self-awareness. Students use journals to document their thoughts, engage in activities, and track their personal growth over the year.
10th Grade: Race, Privilege & Socioeconomics

In an interconnected society, understanding race, privilege, and socioeconomics is essential. The 10th-grade Mosaic curriculum covers the historical and current significance of race and ethnicity, the concept and impact of privilege across various contexts, and the socioeconomic factors influencing lives, such as poverty and wealth. Through open, engaged dialogue, students share thoughts, ask questions, and practice empathy for others. The curricular goals are to build empathy, foster inclusivity, and equip students with the knowledge to positively impact the community.
11th Grade: Sexual Identity & Gender Identity

Understanding sexual and gender identities enriches our vocabulary and helps us navigate social settings with greater empathy. Exploring these topics fosters education and respect for diverse identities. Mosaic’s commitment to promoting inclusivity and respect, especially in a nonjudgmental environment, is vital for building a sense of belonging and understanding. Being open to and learning about diverse perspectives and identities enhances students’ abilities to coexist peacefully, making communities safer and more connected.
12th Grade: Changing Environments

Trevor seniors stand at the threshold of adulthood, entering a rapidly changing world. Through the Mosaic curriculum, they explore climate challenges on local and global scales while preparing to engage with adult issues such as civil discourse, activism, and consent. This comprehensive program equips them with the tools to navigate the transition from high school to college and beyond.