Puberty Workshop for

​4th and 5th Grades

Course Outline

Because we are always improving our curricula, this outline provides a general idea of the topics covered but is not a rigid lesson plan. Here are the outcome objectives:
​
Session 1: Puberty, Hygiene and Being Normal 
  • Students will learn 3 physical changes that everyone goes through during puberty.
  • Students will learn 3 ways to take care of their hygiene.
  • Students will learn that puberty changes happen at different times and in different ways for everyone, and that is normal.
  • Students will learn that there are cisgender, transgender, intersex and non-binary people who go through puberty. 

Session 2: People with Penises and Changes 
  • Students will be able to define sperm.
  • Students will be able to list 2 reasons why erections happen to the penis and the clitoris.
  • Students will be able to list 2 changes that more to people with a penis.

Session 3: People with Vulvas and Changes
  • Students will know what two things can cause a pregnancy.
  • Students will be able to define menstruation/periods and what are a tampon and pad.
  • Students will be able to list 2 changes that only happen to bodies with a vulva.

Session 4: Ownership, Communication and Relationships
  • Students will learn who owns their body and consent.
  • Students will learn about keep their bodies safe and about what to do if they have been touched without permission.
  • Students will be able to list two trusted adults is in their life.
  • Students will learn about how to be good friends and how to be an ally to people of different identities than their own. 

​Session Details

Session 1: Puberty, Hygiene and Being Normal

I. Introduction
   a. Agreements
   b. Anonymous Question Box
II. What is Puberty?
   a. Icebreaker activity, introduces talking to trusted adults
III. Puberty Changes
   a. Introduction to puberty changes that happen for most people.
      i. These may include: pimples, growth, mood swings, attractions and sexual or “tingly” feelings, Body Odor
IV. Discussion: Hygiene
   a. Basic Hygiene information for puberty youth
V. Emotional Changes
   a. Information about Hormones and Feelings
VI. Conclusion:
   a. Review Objectives
   b. Answering questions anonymously
​
Examples of anonymous questions:
Do you have to go through puberty?
Why do tingly feelings happen?
How often can you wash your privates?
Session 2: Path of the Sperm and Changes

I. Introduction
II. Review: Changes
   a. Discussion of Changes for folks with a penis and/or more testosterone
      i. this may include: breast growth, penis and testicle growth, erections, ejaculations
III. Review of Anatomy
   a. Visual Review of Parts of the Reproductive system
   b. Visual Review of genitals
IV. Path of the Sperm
   a. Review of Path of Sperm
   b. Reasons why erections and ejaculations may happen
V. Circumcised and Uncircumcised
   a. Describe who the two types of penises can look.
   b. Information on hygiene
   c. Cultural or religious reasons for the practice
VI. Conclusion:
   a. Review Objectives
   b. Answering questions anonymously
​
Examples of anonymous questions:
Why do boys have sperm?
How can you get rid of an erection?
Why do boys have nipples?
Session 3: Path of the Egg and Changes

I. Introduction
II. Review Changes
   a. Discussion of Changes for folks with a vulva and/or more Estrogen
   b. These may include: breast growth, vaginal fluids, menstruation, blood flow/erections of vulva.
III. Anatomy/Body Parts
   a. Genitals
   b. Reproductive System
IV. Path of the Egg
   a. Visual Review of ovulation, pregnancy and menstruation
   b. Reasons why lubrication and erections may happen
VI. Optional Activity:
   a. Condoms and why people use them
   b. Information about Risk Reduction and STI’s when people are sexually active
VII. Responsibility, Parenting, Future
   a. Pregnancy and when to be a parent
VIII. Conclusion:
   a. Review Objectives
   b. Answering questions anonymously

Examples of anonymous questions:
How does the sperm get to the egg?
Why would someone want to have sex?
Why do people grow breasts?
Session 4: Ownership, Communication and Relationships

I. Introduction
II. Review: Path of Sperm/Path of Egg
III. Possible Puberty Review
This may include definitions of puberty, anatomical parts of reproductive systems and genitals, path of egg and sperm, hygiene information, information about pregnancy and relationships, trusted adults, boundaries, etc.
IV. Discussion: Relationships and Puberty
   a. Relationship definitions
   b. Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
V. Discussion: Your body is your own
   a. Body Ownership and Sexual Abuse
   b. What to do if someone has experience abuse.
VI. Brainstorm: Trusted Adult
   a. Discussion of Trusted Adult in young peoples lives
VII. Conclusion: Review Objectives
   a. Answering questions anonymously

​Examples of anonymous questions:
How do two men have a baby?
Who can you tell if someone hurts you?
What do you do if you have a crush on someone?