Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.4B Grade 12 CPI 4

 

Standard: 2.4 - Human Relationships & Sexuality

 

Strand: B - Sexuality

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator:  4 -   The student will predict how cultural and religious beliefs, popular trends and fads, and current and emerging technological advances influence sexuality and reproductive health.

 

Grade: 12

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        SEX AND SEXUALITY - Write sex and sexuality on the blackboard and brainstorm possible meanings. Having a clear understanding of the distinction will help students cope with sexual pressures and assist them to make healthy sexual choices. Explain that four aspects of one’s personality influence one’s sexuality. Students brainstorm to create a web or chart to relate the four dimensions of sexuality (biological, psychological, cultural, and ethical). After students have an understanding of these dimensions, divide the class into eight groups and assign each group a life stage: ages birth to 3; 4 to 8; 9 to 11; 12 to 18; 19 to 30; 31 to 45; 45 to 64; and 65 plus. Using the four dimensions, each group describes the role of sexuality during the assigned age span. Groups develop a chart or other visual aid and present their findings to the class.

Variation: On newsprint or handouts, list words that describe the reproductive organs. Small groups draw diagrams of male and female reproductive organs using the words and compare the anatomy and functioning of the organs prepuberty, after puberty, at menopause/middle age, and late in life.

Variation: Students research the role of hormones (e.g., estrogen, progesterone, testosterone). Next, divide the class into three groups to create a chart or visual aid on the effects of these hormones on human growth and development, sexual identity, and sexual desire.

 

·        SEXUALITY THROUGH THE LIFE SPAN - This activity requires teens to look at how sexuality develops and changes throughout the life span.
Ask students what comes to mind when someone says the word “sex.” Relate the responses to the idea that in today’s society, sex usually refers to sexual intercourse. Explain that people are bombarded by messages of a sexual nature. Young people may internalize these messages from the environment and feel pressured to experience sexual intercourse as an affirmation of their sexuality. Tell students they can broaden their understanding of sexuality by examining ways humans express their sexuality throughout the life span. Divide the class into three groups to address one of the following
questions:
-        What questions do young children ask about sex?
-        What play activities do young children create to find out about their sexuality?
-        Can you remember anything you were curious about regarding sexuality when you were a child? What was it? How old were you?

Distribute to each student a handout that outlines the stages of sexuality. Each student considers the following questions as he/she studies the handout:
-        What stage are you in? How does sexuality in the stage you are in compare with sexuality in other stages of the life span?
-        How is sexuality in childhood similar to sexuality in old age? How is it different?
-        What could parents do when raising children that would help the children develop positive attitudes about sexuality?
-        What aspects of human sexuality might be the same or different if a person were gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender?

After sufficient discussion, students develop a journal entry discussing the following statement: Sex is more than intercourse.

 

·        MYTH OR FACT - Create a list of myths and facts about sexuality (see sample list that follows). Post a large “MYTH” sign on one side of the room and a large “FACT” sign on the other side of the room. As you read a statement, students move to the side of the room they feel best represents the statement. After each move, allow time for discussion. Permit students to move if another student offers a convincing argument.

MYTH or FACT: SEXUALITY
-        Old people don’t have sexual intercourse.
-        Most teens are sexually active.
-        Males need to have sexual intercourse more than females.
-        You can’t get pregnant the first time you have intercourse.
-        You can choose your sexual orientation.
-        Having sexual intercourse will make a relationship stronger.
-        Teens who are virgins are probably gay or lesbian.
-        There are medications available that enable a man to have an erection at age 80 or beyond.
-        Humans are sexual beings from birth.
-        Women don’t enjoy sexual activity.