Teaching Tool - Making Decisions about Sexual Health

This presentation teaches students how to apply what they have learned about healthy relationships and sexually transmitted infections to decision-making regarding sexual activity to promote sexual health.

Target audience: students in Grades 7
Length of core content presentation: 50 minutes

Criteria Met

Grade Ontario Curriculum Codes
7 Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education (2019) D1.3, D1.5, D2.4

Goals

In delivering this presentation, the teacher will:

  • Create an environment in which students feel comfortable discussing sexual health
  • Provide opportunities for students to think critically about decision-making relating to relationships and sexual activity to promote sexual health

Objectives

By the end of this presentation, students will:

  • Identify factors shaping decision-making about sexual activity
  • Demonstrate knowledge of various strategies for promoting sexual health
  • Demonstrate the ability to reason critically in making decisions about sexual health

Core Knowledge Content

Core knowledge content provides the teacher with the background information needed to prepare and teach this health class.

Learning Activities

  • Making decisions about sexual health (essential)
    Time: 50 minutes

    Materials

    Instructions

    • Cue the PowerPoint presentation
    • Follow the prompts for the ice-breaker activity (driver's licence discussion) on slide 2
    • Using the notes, deliver presentation and lead a discussion about decision-making for sexual health

    Variations

    • Have students complete the Abstinence worksheet using one of the options below:
      • Distribute the worksheet to the students during the presentation (follow the prompts in the slideshow). Have students complete the worksheet individually during the presentation.
      • Organize students into groups of 3-4 and allow them to complete the worksheet together following the presentation. Once students have completed the worksheet, have them share their answers in a whole class discussion.
    • If desired, consult with the school health nurse to address difficult questions or to arrange a question and answer session for the class with the nurse
  • You decide
    Time: 20 minutes

    Materials

    Instructions

    • Open a brief whole class discussion to review healthy relationships and sexual health
    • Inform students that in this activity they will be exploring some different scenarios and suggesting how those involved should proceed
      • Pretend that you're watching one of these scenarios unfold and that you have the power to decide what happens next. What should the person do?
    • Read a scenario aloud and invite the students to discuss their ideas. Consider using the following prompts for the discussion:
      • What is the problem here?
      • What might the outcomes be? Negative outcomes? Positive outcomes?
      • What are some things the person should consider?
    • Supplement and clarify information, using the Core Knowledge Content as needed
    • Repeat with the remaining scenarios

    Variations

    • Allow students to discuss the scenarios in small groups
    • Create a gallery walk
      • Place a different scenario at a different station throughout the classroom
      • Divide students into small groups, each beginning at a different station to discuss that station's scenario and their response
      • After several minutes, have groups rotate to the next station and scenario
      • Once groups have visited each station, have a brief whole class discussion in which students reflect on the activity and on the scenarios
      • Optional: Include a blank sheet onto which groups record their responses at each station
    • Quick review: whenever time permits (5-10 minutes), revisit one or two scenarios to discuss decision-making and responding to difficult situations

Consult Your School's Public Health Nurse

Your school's public health nurse can help you prepare for delivering this presentation and can assist you in developing engaging projects and extension activities. To reach your school's public health nurse, contact healthyschools@niagararegion.ca or 905-688-8248 ext. 7379.

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