The Curriculum At a Glance
At Getting Along, we’re dedicated to creating a curriculum that truly makes a difference—but we can’t do it alone. We’re looking for passionate individuals who share our mission to review our materials, provide feedback, and engage in meaningful discussions to help us refine and improve. Your insights will directly impact how we educate and inspire others. If you’re interested in lending your perspective, please sign up below—we’d be incredibly grateful for your time and expertise!
The full curriculum is available to review by clicking through the links provided here on this page. Beneath our curriculum, you will also find the four key books that have served as the intellectual foundation of the Getting Along Academy Curriculum. Thank you!
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Ever Wonder Why the World Feels More Messed Up Than It Should Be?
Wanna Do Something About It?
This program is here to help you understand why things feel so chaotic and what you can do to make a difference. It’s about learning how the world works, why people fight, and how YOU can be part of the solution.
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1. The Invisible Slip ‘n Slide – How We Lose Our Way
Sometimes, we don’t even notice when we start thinking in ways that make the world feel worse. Our brains are wired to focus on problems, and social media, news, and negativity around us make it worse. If we don’t pay attention, we slide into bad habits—thinking the worst of people, assuming everyone is against us, and forgetting to ask if what we believe is even true. This section helps you recognize when that’s happening and how to stop it.
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2. Citizenship is Hard – Ordinary Doesn’t Cut It
Being a good person is important, but it’s not enough. You also have to be a good citizen. That means helping your community, thinking for yourself, and not just going along with the loudest voices. A strong country is made up of people who work together, even when they disagree. If we all just focus on ourselves, things fall apart. This section shows you how to be a citizen who makes a real impact.
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3. Extremism: Humanity’s Kryptonite
Ever notice how some people refuse to listen to anyone who disagrees with them? That’s extremism. It’s when people get so caught up in their beliefs that they stop thinking and start treating others like enemies. Extremism is dangerous because it tears people apart instead of bringing them together. This section helps you learn how to think for yourself and see different sides of an issue without falling into extreme thinking.
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4. The Few Tear Down the Many
A small group of people can have a HUGE influence on how everyone else thinks—especially when they spread lies or fear. Social media, news, and even celebrities can shape how we see the world, and sometimes they do it in a way that makes us fight instead of come together. Learning how to spot this and think for yourself is one of the most powerful tools you can have.
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5. Negative TV News and Its Impact
Bad news sells. That’s why TV, online news, and social media focus on the worst things happening in the world. But guess what? The world isn’t actually as bad as they make it seem. This section teaches you how to recognize when news is trying to manipulate you and how to stay informed without getting overwhelmed.
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6. The Influence of the Internet and Social Media
The internet is awesome, but it’s also full of lies, fake outrage, and people trying to get attention. Social media companies make money by keeping you angry, addicted, and engaged. Ever feel like you’re doomscrolling and just getting mad at everything? This section helps you understand how social media works and how to use it in a way that doesn’t mess with your head.
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7. The Decline of Reading & Intellectual Growth
When people stop reading and learning, they stop growing. We live in a world where people just repeat headlines instead of thinking deeply. Reading makes you smarter, more creative, and better at understanding the world. This section shows why picking up a book (instead of scrolling all day) can change everything.
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8. Economic Disparity – The Haves and the Have-Nots
Money controls a lot in our world. Some people have way too much, and others don’t have enough. Instead of working together to fix things, we argue over whose fault it is. This section looks at why this happens and what can be done to make things fairer—without resorting to extremes.
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9. Masculinity and Its Role in Leadership & Society
Some people think being tough means never showing weakness. But real strength is about patience, understanding, and making good decisions. This section breaks down why outdated ideas about masculinity hurt everyone—boys and girls—and how real leadership isn’t about acting tough but about being smart, kind, and strong in the right ways.
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10. The Absence of Universal Moral Authority
If nobody agrees on what’s right and wrong, how do we know how to act? A society without shared values falls apart. Respect, honesty, and fairness are things we all need to believe in. This section helps you think about the bigger picture of right and wrong and how your actions shape the world around you.
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Conclusion: Time to Step Up
Proof that there is a predestined path for human conduct, which we are not following, is all around us.
It's in the eyes of the hater.
It's in the wars we fight.
It's in the tears we shed after school shootings and other tragedies.
It's in the help we give to each other after these tragedies.
It's in the frustration we all feel in this underperforming society we live in.
It's in the shared embarrassment that many of us have for our national politics.
“It's in the feeling we all have that there must be a better way!”
Letters to Mikey, Glenn Gort: In Letters to Mikey, author Glenn Cort sets out to write a birthday letter to his 18-year-old son and ends up creating a whole book about how young people can navigate today’s confusing and sometimes negative world. He explains that despite political arguments, social media drama, and the feeling that people have grown farther apart, there are proven ways—like empathy, kindness, and learning from history—to reconnect and rebuild trust. By focusing on moral values, staying open to different opinions, and finding moderation instead of extremes, Cort believes the next generation can overcome division and bring more peace and optimism to society.
Alan Brinkley’s The American Presidency: In The American Presidency, historian Alan Brinkley explains how the office of the President has evolved from its early, limited power under George Washington to the far-reaching influence it holds today. He highlights key moments—such as the Civil War under Abraham Lincoln and the New Deal under Franklin D. Roosevelt—when presidents expanded the authority of the executive branch and steered the nation through major challenges. Throughout the book, Brinkley explores how each president’s leadership style, the events of the time, and changing public expectations have shaped the modern presidency, giving readers a better understanding of why the President is sometimes called “the most powerful person in the world.”
Cleon Skousen’s The 5,000 Year Leap: In The 5,000 Year Leap, Cleon Skousen argues that the creation of the United States marked a giant leap forward in human freedom and progress, bigger than many centuries of earlier human history. He highlights 28 key ideas, like natural rights, the importance of personal responsibility, and a system of checks and balances in government. According to Skousen, these principles allowed Americans to build a strong and free society, encouraging innovation, independence, and prosperity. By understanding and applying these concepts, readers can appreciate how the Constitution and the Founding Fathers’ vision shaped America’s success.
If You Can Keep It, Eric Metaxas: In If You Can Keep It, Eric Metaxas explores the idea that America’s founders created a new kind of government—called a republic—based on the principle that people should govern themselves. He uses Benjamin Franklin’s famous quote, “A republic, if you can keep it,” to show that this freedom is fragile and must be protected by each generation. Metaxas focuses on how citizens need to be virtuous, responsible, and engaged in their communities and government. By highlighting historic examples and stories, he argues that if people forget what makes the United States special—like its belief in faith, morality, and individual rights—then Americans risk losing the very liberty the Founding Fathers fought to establish.
The
90%
Theory…
I have long held a theory about life and people. It goes like this: at any given moment in America, 90% of people have the desire and abilities to help us achieve our societal goals. This means that only about 10% of us currently lack these abilities. This 10 % of society is typically much older than you are, which presents us with an amazing opportunity.