So, apparently I have way too much time on my hands (or maybe I'm just way too dedicated to this entire thing). But I've made lesson plans for what
I consider to be comprehensive sex education. Keep in mind a few things before reading:
As far as I'm concerned, sex education should be a regular required class, just like Math or English, that begins in the 6th grade and lasts through the 12th grade.- This is by no means a complete lesson plan guide, but rather merely a guide to what should be taught in a comprehensive sex education class. Nor is it necessarily in the order that students should learn these things; however, I did try my best to keep things pretty consecutive. If you'd like me to add something to this guide, please comment and I'll probably throw it in.Comprehensive Sex Education Guide for Grades 6-12
1. Learning about both the male and female human body, including development. (This is co-ed, since I think most school districts have children learning about their own bodies separately in the 4th grade.)
i. About females - vagina, menstrual cycles (and what one can use, such as pads/tampons/sponges/cups/etc), growing breasts, ability to have children, etc.
ii. About males - penis, penis growth, balls dropping, etc.
iii. Explain in general about sperm and eggs.
(In general because most students by this time will NOT have had much education in biology, so trying to explain such things as the difference between a gastrula and a blastula, which I barely remember half the time, will be pretty difficult.)
2. What is sexual intercourse?i. Explain that this usually refers to putting a penis in a vagina.
3. Physical consequences of sex.i. Pain for girls (hymen breaking). Potential pain for guys too, if something goes wrong.
ii. Pregnancy: explain that the above-mentioned sperm and eggs come together inside a woman's body to form a baby.
iii. STDs: explain about various illnesses.
4. How to protect oneself from physical consequences of sex.i. The ABCs of sex - Abstinence, Being Faithful, and Condoms.
ii. Explain what abstinence is and that it's the only 100% sure way of protecting oneself from both pregnancy and STDs.
iii. Explain what "being faithful" means, and that it's the best way to protect oneself from STDs (if neither person has STDs to begin with), though not necessarily pregnancy.
iv. Explain what condoms are, and that they can protect from both STDs and pregnancy, though they are not 100% foolproof, even if used perfectly. Tell students that if they must have sex when not in a lasting relationship and are not prepared for the consequences of doing so (either becoming pregnant or getting an STD), the best thing to do is to get protection, or ask someone to get protection for them. Provide free condoms in the class.
v. Explain about blood tests, and how it's good to check for STDs before and after every time one has a new partner.
5. Review in more detail the potential consequences of having sex.i. Pregnancy: have an activity where students must carry around a doll or something of the sort every day during the school day for a month. (Take marks off if student forgets doll when coming to class, as a lesson in responsibility.) Or have an activity where both girls and boys carry around something heavy around their waist to show what it's like to be around 8 months pregnant.
ii. STDs: show pictures of what can happen to one's body when one has an STD. Have an activity where one person per day in the class must draw something spotty or weird on their face, and walk around as if they have an STD. This lesson is meant to show how society shuns those who are ill in such a way.
6. Birth control.i. Review the ABCs of sex (focusing especially on condoms) and how one can protect oneself from BOTH pregnancy and STDs.
ii. Describe other forms of protecting oneself from pregnancy.
a. The pill.
b. The birth control shot.
c. Skin patches.
d. IUDs and vaginal rings.
e. Birth control sponges.
f. Spermicide.
g. Plan B.
h. Rhythm method.
i. Pull-out method.
iii. Explain the positive and negative consequences of each of the above-mentioned things. Include average costs of each thing, effectiveness, side effects, etc.
(You'll notice I left it off the list above, because I feel that this needs very detailed explanations and discussions. It's also somewhat different from the other mentioned forms of birth control, and a lot more controversial.)
i. Explain in detail what abortion is.
ii. Explain in detail the consequences (both positive and negative) of abortion.
iii. Discuss the differences between pro-choice and pro-life stances, as well as the idea that the concepts of "life" and "humanity" begin at different stages for different people.
iv. Have class discussions as well as discussion groups, and some opinion-assignments on abortion and its moral and physical consequences. Allow students to form their OWN opinions on the morality of abortion.
8. Adoption.i. Explain that this is an alternative to abortion for someone who doesn't want or can't have a baby.
ii. Discuss the emotional effects of giving a child up for adoption on both the parent and child.
9. Emotional consequences of sex.i. Again, pain issues - emotional consequences of being hurt.
ii. Discuss having sex in relationships as being slightly safer not only physically, but also emotionally, because one is more likely to be loved and cared for in a lasting relationship than during a one-night stand.
iii. Discuss the emotional and psychological consequences of being used for sex, or of being dumped or cheated on after having sex with someone.
iv. Discuss the emotional and psychological consequences of being teased (even violently) by one's peers for having lost one's virginity - or for not.
10. How to protect oneself from emotional consequences of sex.i. Waiting for a well-defined, lasting, and trusting relationship before having sex.
ii. Realizing that if one does not wait, one can be harmed by above-mentioned things.
11. "Sexting" and social consequences of being a sexual being.i. Explain the meaning of sexting and other related things.
ii. Discuss society's views on such things. Discuss consequences of having one's sexuality revealed to one's peers and to society in general.
a. Example of girl who killed herself because all of her so-called "friends," and many other people, were calling her a whore for giving her boyfriend a naked picture of herself.
12. On rape.i. Define rape and explain what it is supposed to be (the idea of wanting control and power rather than just sex).
ii. Explain in detail why rape is
wrong. Have students discuss.
iii. Explain and discuss the psychological effects of being raped.
iv. Explain and discuss what can happen to people who are raped - such as being murdered, or mutilated, or getting an STD, or becoming pregnant.
a. Discuss abortion in such a situation.
v. Explain that victims of rape are most often raped by someone they know.
a. Date rape, discuss the drugs used in such situations.
vi. Explain the difference between forcible rape and statutory rape. Have students discuss their opinions on both.
vii. Explain and discuss other topics such as molestation, sexual harassment (both verbal and physical), etc.
i. Explain the following: don't go places alone at night, have a buddy with you. Don't get overly drunk at a party and be unable to have control over your own body. Potentially carry some sort of weapon (such as pepper spray) if you live in a dangerous area.
ii. Discuss what one should do when one is raped, especially that one must tell the police RIGHT AWAY. (Very important topic, to be discussed in detail.)
14. On sexuality.i. Explain the definitions of the following words:
a. Heterosexual.
b. Homosexual (as well as the difference between gay and lesbian).
c. Bisexual.
d. Transsexual.
e. Other terms describing someone's sexuality, which students should be aware of (including, but not limited to transvestite, hermaphrodite, polysexual, pomosexual, asexual, etc.)
ii. The difference between "sex" and "gender."
iii. Teach students about toleration and acceptance. Also teach students that it's okay to be "different" from one's peers. Have students discuss.
iv. Explain hate crimes.
15. On other forms of sex.i. Oral sex.
ii. Anal sex.
iii. Remind students that one does not need to have vaginal sex to contract an STD or to be emotionally hurt, and that protection is needed during any form of sex.
iii. Have students discuss what "losing one's virginity" really means.
16. On marriage.i. Explain the positive and negative consequences of waiting until marriage to have sex. Have students discuss.
ii. Discuss divorce.
17. Miscellaneous - other things that should probably be touched upon in a comprehensive curriculum, though perhaps not until students are older.
i. Prostitution.
ii. Psychological effects of supressing one's sexuality and sexual nature, as well as psychological effects of being too "free" in one's sexual nature.
iii. The effects of drugs on sex. Both legal (such as medicine) and illegal (such as Ecstasy) forms.
iv. Pornography - discuss the current "ideal" view of what sexual body parts are supposed to look like, and the psychological effects on people because of such views.
v. Masturbation.
vi. Inviting parents to class to let them see what their kids are learning.
What you think about sexual education in schools? Would you add or remove anything in this lesson plan?
True 
Comments (33)
This post is, of course, awesome ;D
you've put plenty of thought into this! it's a great outline
I vehemently disagree with the idea of not teaching masturbation until students are older.
I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this. Like, a lot of things, particularly about men, I don't really understand, despite my long-term relationship, because they were never properly explained, such as how they develop and whatnot. I don't think I knew what rape was until high school. I never learned too much about birth control until I found it necessary for me to start taking it. But, I think some of the emotional consequences of sex are things you just have to figure out for yourself...like, emotions are harder to explain, I think, then some of the more physical things. All in all, though, I do think it's necessary for there to be more comprehensive sex ed in schools...there are way too many pregnant teenage girls these days for the schools to keep avoiding it.
yes i agree with some of the above comments, U have certainly put a lot of thought into this. i wonder what it could be like if animals had to learn their own sex education?
I totally agree with your curriculum, and I wish our curriculum was like this.
How about both the positives and negatives of having sex, your consequences seem to focus on the negative, other areas you make sure to give both, perhaps an oversight.
@schallerbrandon@xanga - I agree
I don't think many parents would be willing to sit their children through six years of sexual education. Most parents are uneasy with a simple lesson on it.
While it not being a terrible idea, it is unrealistic to believe that most education systems are going to make room for such courses in their already large and mandatory schedule with which there isn't much room for maneuvering.
As an elective, however, or a small series of electives, this would be much more feasible.
The milestone of parents overcoming sexual discomfort with their offspring, is one that most societies haven't reached quite yet.
Yet, when there is a will there is a way.
Sexual Education is very important.
Great post!
Good post, lots of info :D
@SerenaDante@xanga - it is.
I like this post. But the current state of society is all of the reason that so much is needed.
The emotional effects of choosing abstinence, when understood, are almost entirely positive and empowering in one's self worth, self respect, and ability to carefully select a well fitting partner. The only downside is in knowing that it will take a while for most to find that person; and one has to suffer from often seeing people being frivolously sexual in the open. That first part doesn't have to be negative though. It can be viewed as a longer period of time to put one's life in order and help others before prospecting for a partner.
I agree with this post so much it hurts. Especially #14! If abstinence only sex ed isn't annoying enough with the ~sex is a disgusting act you should only do when you're married because somehow it becomes less disgusting~ approach, the heteronormativity of it all just makes it all the more worse. Screw the fundies. Abstinence only does not work.
I think most of the commenters forget- if they agree with it, they ARE the next generation. We have the power, or are acquiring the power, to decide what will be in our childrens' curriculum. We will be the next generation of parents, and if we think this is a good idea, let's do something about it! Our generation is much more sexually open than our parents', who in turn were more open than their parents. We get more and more open every generation, and sooner or later (hopefully sooner than later), society will get past their phobia of being intellectual about sex, and stop hiding it in the bedroom. I would love it if my kids could learn this much about sex in school, (especially in school, because there is no environment less sterile than a classroom).
@Shy___Away@xanga - Absolutely, we are the future and so on... Yet, as much of us believe that we will, or would like to speak to our kids about sex, we probably won't as in depth as this guide. Yet, if we did...
There wouldn't be a need for any such program, whether it be conceptual or actual.
Personally, I'd rather teach it to my own children, rather than a stranger, yet the State/Federal Government would be the ones who decide what is appropriate to teach and what is not. In this hypothetical curriculum. Which, as a parent, I may not entirely agree with.
Oddly, I get the feeling of "Separation of Church and State" for this sexual education. We are diverse, and we do not necessarily believe in the same sexual practices as our neighbors, or the people two houses down, or even a block over. What I'm trying to say is, unlike the Law, something such as this topic isn't clearly defined. Defining that line is something difficult, something brave and dedicated people like Serena can and will tackle in the future. The catch is, Sex is not Law, there is no absolute way to go about sex and sexual practices as there are in Law. So if we are all different, in beliefs and practices, why not "Seperation of Sexual Education and State". By all means, it should always be the parent's obligation to educate their children.
This is still a great post, filled with great ideas. I just fear that overcoming politics and parents, now and in the future will be the greatest struggle for such a curriculum. Best of luck to all of you who are going to help push this through and help educate OUR kids in the future. Hopefully, a supplement to what we've already taught them.
Funny. I've been working on a comprehensive guide for Xanga that literally covers every single one of these points in depth, using my college text books from my Human Sexuality class and health, and CDC health information.
It's taking forever.
My H.S. class basically taught this exactly, but I didn't get any of this until college. High school killed any chances of safe sex for me, if I had been impressionable.
We do have sex education in our country, not as detailed as above. I was shocked that girls here in the US didn't even have a proper sex eduation in school.
I Set My Friends On Fire... ha I'm going to see them on tour soon :]
I'm sorry but this is too in depth. Some things should just be picked up through life.Wow, nicely put.
well thought-out!!
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Well I had to learn about sex and pregnancy in my health class in 7th grade, where we got to watch the miracle of life. I never want to give birth due to the stupid video, but it was effective. Then in HS, obviously I learned about sex, stds, rape, etc etc, all the stuff mentioned above. I just want to say that the only reason for putting the pull out method into the curriculum is to explain that it does not really protect you at all. You can get pregnant from that still, which is what my idiotic ex-friend almost found out when she was 17 and on a cruise.
But basically I agree with all of these points. I am not a fan of schools that just say "DON'T HAVE SEX IT'S BAD!" because the students are not going to know how to have safe sex until they find out through parents, or the media, or friends, and that can cause many more teen pregnancies and many more students with STDs.
I like this post. :) Although, I do have to ask why there is only the inclusion of heterosexual sex in defining what sex is. In fact, I didn't notice anything for homosexual sex in there at all.
But, I could've missed it!!
If not, these are things that should be added in, because not everyone is heterosexual and if homosexuals are going to have sex they, too, need to be educated. Not including it kind of makes it sound like it isn't really sex, or that it might be safer or have less emotion attached to it. That's all untrue.
I did notice that somewhere in there anal sex is mentioned, but a heterosexual couple can easily have anal sex. And many do. Often. So, I think homosexuality needs to be included on a bigger level than just that.
I am a big believer that if homosexual sex was included in sex education as something other than a brief mention that you could miss if you blinked, it would cut down on STDs. And this is a good thing for EVERYone. There are other benefits that I believe would result if this were to occur, but I haven't slept in a very long time and I don't think I'm up to listing them ALL. :p
I know that not everyone is keen on homosexuality, but learning about it doesn't mean that anyone is going to run out and do it. Just like educating heterosexuals on sex doesn't mean they're going to run out and do it.
But, yeah. o.O;; I ramble when I'm tired. Sorry!!!
I'm also sorry if it was included and I missed it while looking through all of that. :(
Wow...that pretty much sums it up! heh. I haven't thought much about sex edu. Back in the middle school days, when I was in 6th grade, we had interesting old school videos. All the boys/girls were separated.
i've been learning about basically everything on that list since about year six, i was 11.
okay it was all age appropriate and some of it may have been through play ground talk so to speak.
i've only ever been to girl only schools. my primary school taught me about sex + puberty.
my secondary school taught me about sex, puberty, + basically everything on that list + they did it well. i'll admit it didn't stop girls having sex but they knew the facts, there's no denying that. the school did well teaching us everything. i think that's the best way to be.
completely agree with the list.