GRADE 7
Topics include:

• Effective communication in relationships
• Identifying sources of support re. sexuality health issues
• Male & female reproductive systems and fertilization
• Sexually transmitted infections
  Sexual abstinence

• Making informed decisions
• Consequences of sex & drugs
• Identifying sources of support re. sexual health issues
• Sexually transmitted infections & H.I.V. Transmission, symptoms & prevention
  Sexual abstinence and other methods of contraception
•  & other prevention

At the Grade 7 level, students are assisted to review their Reproductive System vocabulary using a group label sorting activity. Small groups attempt to be the first to correctly place reproductive anatomy parts into three categories "Male", "Female" or "Both.

These labels are then applied to diagrams of the Male and Female Reproductive Systems. This is followed by discussion about the pathway of fertilization, and any questions the students may have about this topic.

Guided video viewing, which informs about the physical and emotional aspects of Sexually Transmitted Infections, games which simulate germ transmission and demonstrations and discussions about S.T.D. prevention all combine to educate Grade 7 students about this concerning Public Health issue.

Many of the communication skills taught in the Grade 6 V.E.P. program (negotiation, refusal, active listening) are taught or reviewed in the context of sexual relationships.

Limit setting behaviours and strategies are explored as ways to successfully practice abstinence.

Students are prompted to develop a list of resource people they might approach for assistance should they have questions, or need for prevention supplies.

Public Health Nurses can bring a variety of teaching materials to your classroom to help meet the Sexual Health learning objectives of your Grade 8 students.

Videos about A.I.D.S. and the immune system, writing assignments considering " How H.I.V. would change my life", simulated fluid exchange games and symptoms/treatment/prevention sorting activities are a few of the ways we review the topic of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

Videos and contraceptive samples are available for classroom demonstration or small group studying and reporting. Tours of Health Unit Clinics or visits to Pharmacies may be arranged, with parental permission, to help students identify and seek out sources of community support with regard to sexuality issues.

A variety of activity sheets are available to supplement 'Life Skill" discussions regarding sexual behaviour choices. Some of these include:

• Assertiveness, Delay & Refusal
• Media Pressures
• Temptation & Self Control
• Are You Ready for Sex? (a student and family sheet).

To adequately cover the Sexual Health materials outlined in the Ontario Elementary Schools Health Curriculum, the Ministry of Health mandates Public Health Units to ensure that six (6) hours of classes are offered in Grade 7 and Grade 8 to educate the upcoming generation about these concerning, preventable public health issues.

HEALTH CURRICULUM

Grade 7
Growth and Development

• Explain male/female reproduction systems related to fertilization.
• Distinguish fact from myth re: menstruation, spermatogenesis, and fertilization.
• Identify methods of transmission and symptoms of STIs.
• Identify ways to prevent the spread of STIs. Explain the term abstinence as applied to sexuality.
• Use effective communication skills to deal with relationships and situations. Identify sources of support with regard to sexuality.

Grade 8
Growth and Development

• Promote abstinence as a positive choice for adolescents.
• Review symptoms, transmission and prevention of common STIs and HIV. Identify high-risk behaviours related to STIs and HIV.
• Discuss methods used to prevent pregnancy.
• Apply living skills in making informed sexual decisions.
• Analyse the consequences to engaging in sexual activities while using drugs including alcohol.
• Identify sources of support with regard to sexuality.

Sexual Health Teaching Evaluation Executive Summary