Family Life Education Community Review of New Materials

Recommended Family Life Education Instructional Materials Available for Community Review

Comments

Comments will be made using an online feedback form. The feedback form was available on this website starting at 8 a.m. on October 31, 2022. The comment period closed on December 1, 2022, at 4:30 p.m.

School Board members consider all comments submitted by December 1, 2022 at 4:30 p.m.

School Board members vote on the recommendations.

For more information, call the Office of PreK-12 Curriculum and Instruction, Health, Family Life, and Physical Education at 571-423-4550.

Program Administration Recommendations

Grades 4 - 8

Provide instruction during the Human Growth and Development unit in gender combined classes.

  • Normalizes discussion of reproductive systems, reproductive process, and other topics related to human sexuality.
  • Provides opportunity to talk about sensitive topics with individuals who are different from themselves which builds communication skills important for healthy relationships.
  • Provides an inclusive environment for all students.

Students accessing the modified curriculum and assigned male would not participate in viewing the media Janet’s Got Her Period or in explicit instruction on the use of menstrual pads.

  • Includes students with low-incidence disabilities or CAT B.
  • Recommend students assigned male do not participate in this specific instruction.
  • All students will receive instruction on the menstrual cycle unless they are opted out by their parent or guardian.

Grade 10

Remove testicular self-exam video from grade 10 lesson [lesson1, self-exams] and combine genders for the entire grade 10 lesson.

  • Video, Testicular Cancer and the Importance of TSE, is not available in a format accessible to all schools.
  • Currently, all students receive instruction on breast and testicular cancer. This change would have all students learning about testicular self-exam and breast self-awareness.

Objectives & Descriptive Statement Change Recommendations

Grades 4-6

To support gender combined instruction, the following changes to objectives and descriptive statements are recommended:

  • Remove the phrase “gender separate” from all Human Growth and Development objectives in grades 4-8.
  • Remove language that indicated instruction in puberty lessons that would currently only happen for girls or boys
  • Update language to be more inclusive

Grade 4

Current Lesson Objective

4.1 (Gender Separate): The student will recognize the physical changes that occur during puberty and relate these changes to the increased need for personal hygiene. 

Descriptive Statement: Instruction includes the following physical changes: growth spurt, increased sweat production, skin changes, mood swings, growth of pubic and underarm hair, increase shoulder width in boys, and breast and hip development in girls.  In addition, the importance of personal hygiene in relation to these bodily changes is discussed. Instruction for girls includes basic anatomy of the female reproductive system, menstruation, and the intended use and proper disposal of sanitary products. Instruction for boys includes basic anatomy of the male reproductive system, erections, and nocturnal emissions. Emphasis is placed on the fact that the onset of sexual changes and growth patterns varies with individuals and that this is natural. Focus is on the development of a positive attitude toward oneself during puberty and appreciation for individual differences.

Revised lesson objective

4.1 The student will identify the basic structures of the reproductive systems, recognize the physical changes that occur during puberty and relate these changes to the increased need for personal hygiene.

Descriptive Statement: Basic anatomy of the reproductive systems is introduced.  Instruction includes physical changes of puberty experienced by most individuals– growth spurt, increased sweat production, skin changes, mood swings, and growth of pubic and underarm hair.  Typical changes for individuals assigned male at birth will include increased shoulder width, erections, and nocturnal emissions.  Typical changes for individuals assigned female at birth will include breast development, widening of the hips, and menstruation.  The importance of personal hygiene in relation to these bodily changes will be discussed including the use and proper disposal of menstrual products.  Instruction will emphasize that there is a wide range of ages when individuals begin puberty and how each individual experiences puberty can differ.  There will be a focus on developing a positive attitude toward oneself during puberty and appreciation for individual differences.

Grade 5

Current Lesson Objective

5.1 (Gender-separate): Students will recognize the physical changes that occur during puberty and relate these changes to the increased need for personal hygiene.

Descriptive Statement: Instruction includes the following physical changes: growth spurt, increased sweat production, skin changes, mood swings, growth of pubic and underarm hair, increased shoulder width in boys and breast and hip development in girls, menstruation, erections, and nocturnal emissions. Although instruction for boys includes brief mention of personal hygiene products during instruction about menstruation, girls only are taught about the intended use and proper disposal of personal hygiene products. Focus is on the development of a positive attitude toward oneself during puberty, an appreciation for individual differences, and an understanding of the relationship between changes that occur during puberty and the ability to conceive and bear children.

Revised Lesson Objective

5.1 Students will recognize the physical changes that occur during puberty and relate these changes to the increased need for personal hygiene. 

Descriptive Statement: Basic anatomy of the reproductive systems is reviewed. Instruction includes physical changes of puberty experienced by most individuals – growth spurt, increased sweat production, skin changes, mood swings, and growth of pubic and underarm hair. Typical changes for individuals assigned male at birth will include increased shoulder width, erections, and nocturnal emissions. Typical changes for individuals assigned female at birth will include breast development, widening of the hips, and menstruation. The importance of personal hygiene in relation to these bodily changes will be discussed including the use and proper disposal of menstrual products. There will be a focus on developing a positive attitude toward oneself during puberty and appreciation for individual differences. Students will understand that puberty prepares human bodies to be able to reproduce.

Grade 6

Current Lesson Objectives

6.1 (Gender Separate): Students will explore the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during puberty and relate personal hygiene to these changes. 

Descriptive Statement: This includes a review of physiological changes introduced in fifth grade and a brief examination of psychological and social changes, including mood swings, changing family and peer relationships, and increasing interest in romantic relationships. Ways to cope with these changes are addressed, including proper diet, exercise, and talking with a trusted adult such as an adult family member, teacher, counselor, or member of the clergy. The relationship among bodily changes, good personal hygiene and positive interactions with others is emphasized. Girls only review the use and proper disposal of personal hygiene products.

Revised Lesson Objectives

6.1: Students will explore the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during puberty and relate personal hygiene to these changes. 

Descriptive Statement: Instruction will review the physical changes introduced in grades four and five and discuss psychological and social changes typical during puberty including mood swings, changing family and peer relationships, and increasing interest in romantic relationships. Students will discuss the role proper diet, exercise, and talking with a trusted adult has on managing the changes of puberty. The relationship among bodily changes, personal hygiene, and positive interactions with others is emphasized. The use and proper disposal of menstrual products will be reviewed.

Grade 7

Current Lesson Objective

7.1 (Gender Separate):  Students will examine the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence.

Descriptive Statement: Students are briefly introduced to the changes that occur during adolescence, including emotional and social changes addressed in the Emotional and Social Health unit. Instruction includes a review of the changes that occur during puberty in both the male and female (growth spurt, pubic and underarm hair, mood swings, skin changes, hygiene-related changes); the changes that occur to males only (including erections, ejaculation, broadening of shoulders, muscle development, nocturnal emission); and the changes that occur to females only (breast development, broadening of hips, menstrual cycle).

Revised Lesson Objective

7.1  Students will examine the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence.

Descriptive Statement: Students will review social and emotional changes associated with puberty that were introduced in the Emotional and Social Health unit.  Instruction will include review of physical changes that most people experience during puberty and changes that typically happen to individuals assigned male at birth (broadening or shoulders, erections, ejaculations, and nocturnal emissions) and changes that typically happen to individuals assigned female at birth (breast development, widening of the hips, and menstruation).  The importance of personal hygiene will be discussed.

Grade 10

Current Lesson Objective

10.1 Students will discuss sex-specific health concerns.

Descriptive Statement: Topics will include early detection strategies (self-examinations and medical examinations) and identification of warning signs of various gynecological disorders, breast cancer (female and male) and testicular cancer. Instruction will include testicular self-examination (boys only) and breast self-awareness (girls and boys separately).

Revised Lesson Objective

10.1 Students will discuss sex-specific health concerns.

Descriptive Statement: Topics will include early detection strategies (self-examinations and medical examinations) and identification of warning signs of various gynecological disorders, breast cancer, and testicular cancer. Instruction will include testicular self-examination and breast self-awareness.

This next recommended objective and descriptive statement change is not related to the recommendation for gender combined instruction.

Current Lesson Objective

10.5 Students will recognize the development of sexuality as aspects of one’s total personality.

Descriptive Statement: Instruction will include how sexuality develops throughout a lifetime and how sexuality encompasses attitudes, values, and behaviors. Sexual orientation and gender identity terms will be discussed with focus on appreciation for individual differences.

Revised Lesson Objective

10.5 Students will recognize the development of sexuality and gender as aspects of one’s total personality

Descriptive Statement: Instruction will include how sexuality develops throughout a lifetime and how sexuality encompasses attitudes, values, and behaviors.  Sexual orientation and gender identity terms will be discussed with focus on appreciation for individual differences.

New Media Recommendations

Grades 6 & 7 Human Growth and Development Unit

"Hormones, Body Odor, and Acne, Oh My! Puberty 101" -  PBS, August 2021

Media Description

Puberty - the process of developing from a child to a reproductive adult - can make a kid look, feel, and act differently. Here’s what’s happening to your kid. Hosts Alok Patel and Bethany Van Delft are back for round two of the puberty talk. This time, they’re breaking down the science behind the body’s big shift, full of chemicals and hormones, as it grows to become capable of reproduction.

Lessons

The media will support:

  • 6.1 Students will explore the physical, emotional, and social changes that occur during puberty and relate personal hygiene to these changes.
    Instruction will review the physical changes introduced in grades four and five and discuss psychological and social changes typical during puberty including mood swings, changing family and peer relationships, and increasing interest in romantic relationships. Students will discuss the role proper diet, exercise, and talking with a trusted adult has on managing the changes of puberty. The relationship among bodily changes, personal hygiene, and positive interactions with others is emphasized. The use and proper disposal of menstrual products will be reviewed.
  • 7.1 Students will examine the physical and emotional changes that occur during adolescence.
    Students will review social and emotional changes associated with puberty that were introduced in the Emotional and Social Health unit. Instruction will include review of physical changes that most people experience during puberty and changes that typically happen to individuals assigned male at birth (broadening or shoulders, erections, ejaculations, and nocturnal emissions) and changes that typically happen to individuals assigned female at birth (breast development, widening of the hips, and menstruation). The importance of personal hygiene will be discussed.

SY2022 - 23 Family Life Education Curriculum Advisory Committee (FLECAC) Consideration

In 2022 - 23 FLECAC should explore and recommend changes regarding inclusion of the gender spectrum in the elementary FLE curriculum and a more overall inclusive curriculum in Family Life Education.