A SUITE OF SEL CURRICULUM FOR K–5
Highly Engaging for all Learners – Easy to Use for Teachers
Teaching SEL can be challenging. The concepts are complex, and students — especially the ones who need it most, can be tough to engage. Big Bad Boo’s approach changes that. By pairing powerful stories with flexible, teacher-friendly lessons, SEL time becomes a meaningful (and enjoyable) part of the school day. Used by over 3 million children in 15 countries, the curriculum strengthens wellbeing, belonging, and citizenship in ways teachers can see and students can feel.
DEVELOPMENTALLY DESIGNED FOR EVERY STAGE
Lili & Lola (K–1)
Stories rooted in everyday childhood moments, helping early learners practice empathy, self-regulation, honesty, and simple problem-solving.
16 Hudson (Grades 1–2)
Lively neighborhood stories featuring families from around the world help students practice empathy, inclusion, conflict resolution, and friendship.
Judge Jodhi (Grades 3–4)
Problem-solving narratives that develop fairness, social responsibility, democratic values, and media literacy.
1001 Nights (Grades 4–5)
Classic stories retold to explore empathy, social responsibility, democratic values, and civic participation.
HOW WE SPARK MEANINGFUL CHANGE
- Story-Driven Learning
Every lesson begins with an award-winning animated story created by Emmy-winning talent and childhood development experts. When students watch characters navigate real-world dilemmas, they naturally internalize the skills and apply them to their own relationships. - Expertly Guided Development
Lessons are designed by experts from Sesame Workshop, the National Science Foundation, and PBS. Aligned with CASEL competencies, the curriculum leads students through a purposeful K–5 progression of social, emotional, and citizenship skills. - Built for Real Classrooms
Each lesson includes clear guidance and editable slide decks to support teachers at all levels of experience. Teach a full block or break it into 15-minute segments for morning meetings, advisory, or literacy blocks. Veteran teachers can extend discussions; newer teachers can follow the structure confidently. - Beyond the School Walls
Take-home activities help families reinforce skills at home, and the Oznoz platform allows parents to stream episodes in multiple languages — creating consistent messaging across school and home.
EACH GRADE-LEVEL CURRICULUM INCLUDES:
• Animated Episodes: High-quality stories that model specific SEL and citizenship skills.
• Ready-to-Use Lesson Plans: Guided reflections that move students from watching → thinking → doing.
• Graphic-Novel Quality Slides: Fully editable visuals designed for effortless delivery in any classroom.
• Take-Home Activities: Simple, meaningful extensions that reinforce skills beyond the school walls.
“Students actively ask for these lessons. One student, who is often pulled out for extra support, told me first thing in the morning that he didn’t want to miss the 1001 Nights lesson. He asked me to plan around it.”
– Educator, Netherlands –
“Teaching citizenship and social emotional skills was very difficult. The children were not interested. With [1001 Nights], the cartoons are very funny so the students are very interested and will not dare to let me skip a class. For me, using this program, teaching citizenship is more fun and easier”
– Teacher Group 5 – Utrecht –
“Decades of research show that children can learn prosocial behavior and social emotional skills from watching positive role models on television. Engaging stories and appealing characters pull children in to maximize learning. Children can and do learn pro-social behavior and social emotional skills from watching positive role models.”
– Dr. Sholly Fisch, Developmental Psychologist and Big Bad Boo Curriculum Lead; Former Vice President of Program, Research and Curriculum, Sesame Workshop –
“You really notice students listening more carefully to each other’s viewpoints and trying to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. These lessons encourage open, thoughtful discussions — almost like philosophical conversations — and you can feel that happening in the room. You also see their behavior changing in front of you -especially the most difficult children.”
– Teacher Group 5 – Amsterdam –
THE DIFFERENCE TEACHERS SEE
Big Bad Boo’s data shows measurable impact, but even more compelling are the behavioral shifts teachers experience every day. Across pre- and post-assessments and interviews, teachers consistently report increases in students’ empathy, integrity, inclusion, compromise, connectedness, happiness levels, optimism, self-confidence as well as noticeable improvements in classroom climate and culture.
These improvements correlate to meaningful reductions in bullying, intolerance and children, especially the most vulnerable, being left out. Both the data and teacher observations point to the same conclusion: the students who experience the most significant behavioral growth are those who need it most — the hardest to engage, the most isolated, and the ones whose behaviors and attitudes have historically been the most challenging in the classroom.
If an SEL program isn’t producing visible shifts in student behavior, relationships, and classroom climate, it’s not doing its job. With Big Bad Boo’s curriculum, teachers routinely see their classrooms evolve into thriving, connected learning communities.
SEAMLESS IMPLEMENTATION
High Engagement that Fits Real Classrooms We know school schedules are demanding — SEL has to fit real classrooms. This curriculum is designed to be flexible, not fixed, ensuring SEL is a core part of the culture rather than an “add-on.”
Universal Language
Shared vocabulary across grades transforms playground conflicts into teachable moments
Evidence-Based
Developed by Sesame Street’s former Head of Curriculum to guide students along a purposeful K–5 progression of social, emotional, and citizenship skills.
Flexible Delivery
Teach a full lesson block or weave 15-minute segments into morning meetings or advisory.
MEASURABLE GROWTH WITH 3+ MILLION CHILDREN WORLDWIDE
Big Bad Boo curricula have been used with over 3 million children in 15 countries – from public schools across North America, Europe and Asia, to children post (or in the midst of) conflict with UNICEF in refugee safe spaces. The results of these implementations, from 3rd party assessments using qualitative and quantitative instruments, have been consistent. The program increases citizenship, SEL, and UNICEF life skills, including empathy, integrity and self-confidence, while significantly improving student wellbeing, climate and culture.
“Today I saw how discussing challenging topics like prejudice can become easier when we use something familiar to children — in this case, the 1001 Nights story. What I witnessed today is a strong example of how citizenship education can be done well. It was very inspiring to be here.”
– Prime Minister Mark Rutte, Netherlands –
THE OUTCOME
From Classroom Lessons to School Culture When SEL is engaging: consistent, and shared, schools don’t just teach skills — they build cultures where students feel confident, connected, and capable of contributing.
• Students participate more deeply
• Conversations become more authentic
• Conflicts turn into teachable moments
• Classrooms become communities
“You really notice students listening more carefully to each other’s viewpoints and trying to put themselves in someone else’s shoes. These lessons encourage open, thoughtful discussions — almost like philosophical conversations — and you can feel that happening in the room.”
– Teacher Group 6, The Netherlands –
NEXT STEPS
