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...

[JenTheSchoolRN, BSN, RN]

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.

You may just have to say it yourself. It isn't too scary, I promise! It is fairly basic stuff if you break it down to the simple definitions of lady partsl, oral, and anal sex. And then also say that for some people sex also includes all touching of sexual body parts including the breasts.

And I'm never shy to say the three reasons why folks have sex: (1) deepen a romantic relationship with a partner (2) to have a baby and (3) because it feels good! All of these reasons are fine and completely normal :).

(For reference here's another fun video:

)

[jnemartin, BSN, RN]

You may just have to say it yourself. It isn't too scary, I promise! It is fairly basic stuff if you break it down to the simple definitions of lady partsl, oral, and anal sex. And then also say that for some people sex also includes all touching of sexual body parts including the breasts.

And I'm never shy to say the three reasons why folks have sex: (1) deepen a romantic relationship with a partner (2) to have a baby and (3) because it feels good! All of these reasons are fine and completely normal :).

(For reference here's another fun video:

)

I'm really trying to avoid saying it myself lol. But I will if I must.