General Instructional Guidelines
Instructional Content
INTRODUCTION
The purpose of the Family Life/Sex Ed guidelines is to provide an
instructional tool to assist staff in teaching Family Life/Sex
Education to their students.
We have organized our guidelines into specific topics. These topics can
be in a sequential order to facilitate the learning of new concepts and
to build on previously introduced concepts. (Example: prior to
introducing the Public/Private unit, students need to be instructed in
the Body Parts unit.)
Although it is recommended these topics be taught in this order, we
realize parts of these guidelines are not appropriate for all students
as based on assessment, individual needs and parent input. Also, some
units may be taught independently of others: i.e. Realistic Future
Goals and Relationships.
In addition to the guidelines, we have also included suggested
activities, resources and a list of terms for each topic. A glossary of
term used throughout the guidelines is also included.
Because we believe parental and group home involvement and input is
vital, we have included sampie letters for parents and Guardians.
Possible course content is noted in each of these letters.
We welcome your comments or suggestions for revisions or additions.
Currently eight of the twelve areas in this curriculum have been
developed. Four more areas are in the development process. More
areas will be put on this web site in the near future.
Completed
Self-Esteem, Emotions, and Relationships
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI)
Coming Soon
- Physical Health / Exams
- Realistic Future Goals
FAMILY LIFE/SEX ED PHILOSOPHY
- Students should have the opportunity to learn about their sexuality.
- This instruction should be consistent with their level of development.
- Because of the potential vulnerability of our students, personal body safety is the core of the family life curriculum.
- Parental and group home involvement and input is a vital part of a family life program.
- Family life programs should be designed to teach skills that will help students manage their personal, sexual, and social behavior promoting the expectations that they live by the same set of rules as the rest of society.
HEALTH/PERSONAL SAFETY/SEXUALITY CLASS
Objectives:
- To identify and review body parts, pubescent changes, body function, personal hygiene, and numerous general health issues.
- To learn, review, and apply activities and behaviors which can be public or should be private.
- To clarify, in a variety of ways and settings, appropriate and inappropriate touch.
- To discuss extensively practices for keeping one's self safe in diverse situations.
- To improve self image, personal confidence and interpersonal relationships.
All content is presented separately and distinctively, but each of
the five objectives overlaps and connects in all classes. Groups are
divided by gender and are small in number (4, 5, or 6). Information is
shared in a variety of formats: slides, videos, discussion, pictures,
"work sheets", role play, and some simple group "testing".
When each class meets it is approached with regard for the value and
uniqueness of each individual student. The foundational structure each
time we meet is consistent with the Phase Social Guidelines (i.e.
Respectful touch, Respectful distance, Respectful language, Respectful
volume, and Respectful property).
The general content progresses from first reviewing body parts,
function and care. Usually, this is done separating male and female.
Then, we move into appropriate touch and public vs. private behaviors.
A great deal of emphasis is placed upon personal safety in all kinds of
settings and situations. Respect for each other and feeling positive
about our sexuality are two more constant attitudes in place at all
times. For the more advanced groups, there may be discussion and/or
review of birth control, S.T.I.'s (including AIDS), sexual responsibility,
illegal sexual behavior, realistic future goals with emphasis on
respectful, enjoyable relationships.