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Growth, Development, and Sexual Health

Grade 4 - 6

Overview

In late elementary, Growth, Development, and Sexual Health is taught in the fifth grade. Students in fifth grade are experiencing many changes with their bodies related to development and puberty. Students at this age may also be developing romantic interest in others or experiencing their first “crush.” The Sexuality Information and Education Council of the United States (SIECUS 2019) states, “sexuality education is a lifelong learning process of acquiring information. As young people grow and mature, they need access to accurate information about their sexuality.” Adolescents and even pre-adolescents are developing the attitudes, knowledge, and skills needed to become sexually healthy adults (SIECUS 2019). Providing medically accurate, unbiased information on sexual health to students is important and necessary; therefore, teachers are often motivated to teach development and sexuality education. Teachers and administrators should ensure they have the knowledge, resources, support, and collaborative environment to do so effectively.

Information and Resources

GLISTEN

GLISTEN works to ensure that LGBTQ students are able to learn and grow in a school environment free from bullying and harassment.

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Amaze

Amaze offers fun, informative, animated videos that give students accurate, age-appropriate information about sex, their body and relationships. Check out Amaze Jr. which brings parents age-appropriate sex ed resources about talking to kids ages 4-9 and fun videos to share with your children.

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Curriculum and Lessons

Rights, Respect, and Responsibility: A K-12 Curriculum

Rights, Respect, Responsibility is an age-appropriate curriculum for Grades K-12 that fully meets the National Sexuality Education Standards and seeks to address both functional knowledge related to sexuality and specific skills necessary to adopt healthy behaviors. 

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The image displays the text %22Advocates for Youth%22 against a blue background, with the tagline %22Rights. Respect. Responsibility.%22 below it.

Confident Me - Dove Self-Esteem Project

Confident Me is a set of six evidence-informed lessons and resources for teachers & educators aimed at 11- to 14-year-olds aligned to promote adolescent body confidence.

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Book List

Grade 4 - 6

The image shows the cover of a book titled %22The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys%22 by Lynda Madaras with Area Madaras. The book cover features a cartoon illustration of a young boy in a suit and tie.

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Boys

by Lynn Madaras (2007) Spanish language version (2011)

The image is a colorful collage featuring various illustrations and text related to a book titled %22Will puberty last my whole life?%22, which appears to be a guide for young people about growing up and dealing with puberty-related topics.

Will Puberty Last My Whole Life? REAL Answers to REAL Questions From Preteens About Body Changes, Sex, and Other Growing-Up Stuff

by Julie Metzger (2012)

The image shows the cover of a book titled %22The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Girls%22 by Lynda Madaras, with a cartoon illustration of a young girl on the cover.

What’s Happening to My Body? Book for Girls

by Lynn Madaras (2007) Spanish language version (2011)

The image depicts a colorful and playful comic book cover with the text %22SEX IS A FUNNY WORD%22 prominently displayed, surrounded by a group of diverse cartoon characters in various poses.

Sex is a Funny Word: A Book about Bodies, Feelings, and YOU

by Cory Silverberg (2015)

The image is a book cover titled %22Sex, Puberty and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up%22 featuring illustrations of a young boy and girl.

Sex, Puberty, and All That Stuff: A Guide to Growing Up

by Jacqui Bailey (2014)

The image features the name %22GEORGE%22 written in colorful letters, with a small face peeking out from the letter %22O%22.

George

by Alex Gina (2015)

Classroom Activities

Rows of yellow chairs and desks in a colorful, organized classroom setting.
  • ​Use an anonymous ‘Question Box’ to respond to students' questions on puberty and sexual health in a non-intrusive, objective, supportive, and reassuring way. 
  • Create a hygiene display or kit for students to learn about different products. 
  • Provide age-appropriate health education brochures or fact sheets about the importance of proper hygiene. 
  • ​Create human life cycle cards with pictures and definitions to display in the classroom. 
  • Participate in World AIDS day on December 1st. 
  • Participate in National Latino AIDS Awareness Day on October 15th. 
  •  Participate in National Youth HIV & AIDS Awareness Day on April 10th.​
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Partnering with the Family

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Partnering with your School

  • Encourage school librarians to purchase and make available age-appropriate books on growth and development, puberty, gender, sexuality, and healthy relationships. These books should be inclusive of students of all genders and sexual orientations.
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Partnering with your Community

  • Create a list of community based organizations and governmental agencies in the community that provide growth, development, and sexual health information and health or social services for students, families, and school staff to use.