The StoryCorpsU curriculum, developed in alignment with the Common Core Standards, introduces students to the power of their own voice, helps them articulate their aspirations, and develops public speaking and critical listening skills. Students practice college and career readiness skills such as learning to communicate information in a well-structured, audience-appropriate manner and writing for a range of tasks, purposes and audiences.

The program, delivered in a classroom by teachers trained and supported by StoryCorps staff, is comprised of 29 lessons divided into three units:

• Where We’re From
• Who We Are
• Where We’re Going

In each unit, students listen to StoryCorps stories and participate in class discussions to analyze, think critically about, and reflect on the interview segments, making connections between the stories and their own lives. Students learn how to conduct their own interviews, and make their own recordings, focusing on their family histories, how they see themselves, and who they hope to become. They also conduct interviews with teachers and peers.

The 29-lesson StoryCorpsU curriculum has been implemented as part of an Advisory program and would also fit well as part of an English or History class. Each lesson plan is based upon a 45-minute class but can be modified to meet varying class lengths. Similarly, the curriculum has been used in classes that have taken place once per week over the course of the school year, but can be adapted to meet varying course lengths.