Sex/Growth Ed for Middle School

[jnemartin]

Hi All! I am looking for some advice/guidance about pioneering a sex ed program for middle school.

A little background: my school is private and not affiliated with a district or other schools, so it is a bit of uncharted territory. We have a feeder elementary school that provides some basic A&P and puberty info in 5th grade, and our high school has a mandatory Health class (MS and HS are under one roof).

There *was* a middle school sex ed program in the past, taught by a Catholic women's group, but the administration and parents didn't like the content (abstinence-based, and we are not a Catholic/religious school). But, in general, the staff and parents are in favor of providing sex ed to the middle schoolers - they just prefer something more medically oriented (good for them!). I was hired specifically because I was interested in developing a sex ed program, and leading/teaching the classes.

This year, as a pioneer program, I will have only ONE class period per grade, per gender (70 minutes for 6th grade girls, 70 minutes for 6th grade boys, and same for 7th and 8th). This may expand next year, depending on how it goes. I have decided to use the CDC's critical sex ed topics as a framework. Link here:

https://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/data/profiles/pdf/16_criteria.pdf

From your experience, what are some topics that go over well for these age groups, questions I should be prepared for, any good teaching strategies or any other advice and reflections you have to offer. I will post my proposed outline below...

[Farawyn]

Haha! I always tell my middle schoolers I'm not taking a swim down the "What If" river. Also Dads know about periods, too. They can be awesome about it.

And really, why are you swimming water with sharks anyway?

Well, they just may show up, because of all the blood, you see...

[nursekoll, BSN, RN]

About the cards- I hand them out a week or so before the class and leave a drop-box in the classroom, also hand out another card during the video in case something new becomes a question. I tell the kids to write something on their card, even if it's "I don't have a question." Then I pick up all the cards so no one feels embarrassed to be turning one in. I flip through them and just skip the ones that don't have questions on them.

Also, I've had more than two girls in different classes and heard of another at another school where they ask if they can go swimming while on their period without using a tampon and they think that the negative pressure will prevent the menstrual fluid from leaking out?!?! (my niece was actually told this by her school nurse!) NO, NO, NO who is telling you this stuff? SMH I tell them even if it was true (it's not), what do you suppose will happen as soon as you get out of the pool?

Fun times

[LikeTheDeadSea, MSN, RN]

Also, I've had more than two girls in different classes and heard of another at another school where they ask if they can go swimming while on their period without using a tampon and they think that the negative pressure will prevent the menstrual fluid from leaking out?!?! (my niece was actually told this by her school nurse!) NO, NO, NO who is telling you this stuff? SMH I tell them even if it was true (it's not), what do you suppose will happen as soon as you get out of the pool?

Fun times

Seventeen Magazine has a doctor that says how it "may" not flow out because of negative pressure, but definitely wear a tampon or cup!

Can You Swim On Your Period? - 1

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I remember back in my day, and with my kids, it was the slang they wanted to know. BJs were a big question, IIRC.

When I was in middle school, there was the option in health class to write down questions you wanted to ask anonymously. Someone in my best friend's class asked what 69 was. The health teacher told them, the smartest kid in the class raised his hand and asked "why would anyone want to do that?" and then it was an ongoing joke until we graduated high school.

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

OP, I have been teaching MS sex ed for 5 years. I love it! I teach comprehensive sex ed, using the Get Real: Sex Education that works curriculum. PM me if you want. I like to think I have a bunch of insight.

Also, the internet. More MS students than you would like to believe have seen Media. And they have questions about it. And as I say every year, "Media is entertainment that is legal for those over the age of 18. It is not realistic and often portrays unhealthy relationships." Also my class is not a "how to" class.

I also teach sex ed to 10th graders. Totally different experience, yet not at the same time...

Thanks, Jen! I will look into this. I will also take a comprehensive approach and plan to incorporate

away for kids to ask anonymous questions. As for Media/internet safety, our school actually does a whole separate program for that. I am not the hugest fan of it, because it is led by the local police and is very fear-based in approach, but I've attended it and although the delivery is not my favorite, the content is good.

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

Thank you guys all for your wonderful ideas! I've found a few great videos that cover puberty that work for 6, 7, and 8th. So that's 20 minutes down - haha!

How long should I allow for questions? There will be approximately 25 kids in each session.

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

When I was in middle school, there was the option in health class to write down questions you wanted to ask anonymously. Someone in my best friend's class asked what 69 was. The health teacher told them, the smartest kid in the class raised his hand and asked "why would anyone want to do that?" and then it was an ongoing joke until we graduated high school.

I answer the question about 69 honestly as well and most MS students get a "ew gross" look at their faces.

I also still get the "what does popping the cherry" question every year. That one takes me back to my childhood. So much misinformation about the hymen out there still.

[jeanbeth, MSN, DNP, RN]

Access! Information on which sites (like CDC) are reputable if they have questions that they can't/won't ask adults. There is so much misinformation out there.

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

Thank you all for your great suggestions! I am finally almost done pulling everything together (must finish before winter break so I don't have to think about it!).

One quick question: does anyone have a good video that explains exactly what sex is?

I am worried that I'm putting the cart before the horse by introducing condoms, when some 8th graders might really not quite understand what sex is (the past couple years there was no program for the middle schoolers, so they are all at different levels of understanding/experience). Event the condom/STI video I found only states that STIs can be contracted through "sexual contact between lady parts/member, mouth...etc..." but doesn't exactly say what that contact is.

I remember when I was young having "sex ed" that glossed over what exactly sex *is* and left me really confused, so I don't want to do that to these kids!

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

also... for a little laugh:

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

Thank you all for your great suggestions! I am finally almost done pulling everything together (must finish before winter break so I don't have to think about it!).

One quick question: does anyone have a good video that explains exactly what sex is?

I am worried that I'm putting the cart before the horse by introducing condoms, when some 8th graders might really not quite understand what sex is (the past couple years there was no program for the middle schoolers, so they are all at different levels of understanding/experience). Event the condom/STI video I found only states that STIs can be contracted through "sexual contact between lady parts/member, mouth...etc..." but doesn't exactly say what that contact is.

I remember when I was young having "sex ed" that glossed over what exactly sex *is* and left me really confused, so I don't want to do that to these kids!

Go here:

AMAZE - Age appropriate info on puberty for tweens and their parents

I just got introduced to this site by another educator and I'm kinda in love with it!

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

Go here:

AMAZE - Age appropriate info on puberty for tweens and their parents

I just got introduced to this site by another educator and I'm kinda in love with it!

Thank you! I just watched all the videos you sent. I have seen that one series before and I like the #3 video on STI and contraceptives, but none of the videos actually say what sex *is*. I feel the rest of the info could be confusing without the basic explanation.