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Lesson 1: Introduction to the Curriculum/Setting Ground Rules

Objectives:

Students will:

  • Establish ground rules for this class in order to ensure an atmosphere of respect and trust.
  • Realize that this class is about the physical, emotional and social changes of puberty.
  • Understand that although boys have many differences they will each go through the changes of puberty sometime between the ages of 10-17.

Vocabulary: puberty

Materials: Picture Card 1 chart paper, marker

Procedure:

  1. Read Picture Card 1 and go over discussion questions.
  2. Setting Goals. Tell students that this is going to be a class that has a lot of personal and special information. The teacher should share his/her goals for the class. Goals could include:
    • that students will know more about their bodies and will appreciate how special their bodies are;
    • that students will understand the changes of puberty and will realize they are normal and healthy so that they will not be scared;
    • that students will recognize and feel good about the social and emotional changes taking place at this age; and
    • that students will feel comfortable enough to ask questions.

      • Explain to students that in order to accomplish these goals it's necessary to set ground rules for the class.

  3. Establishing Ground Rules. Read the following 4 situations and after each one have students identify the problem and try to name a ground rule that would prevent a problem like this. As students come up with ideas, the teacher can write them on chart paper.
    1. During this special class Jack asks if girls grow hair on their chests like boys. All the students laugh and yell things like "What a stupid question!" and "Can you believe he asked that?"

      2. Problem: Jack's feelings are hurt. This situation might make other students afraid to ask questions.

      Ground Rule: No put-downs. No making fun of another student's comments or questions. Be sensitive to other's feelings. Show respect for one another.

      Ground Rule: All informational questions are OK. No questions are dumb.

    2. During this class, Sam asks the teacher if she shaves her legs.

      3. Problem: The teacher feels embarrassed.

      Ground Rule: The students should not ask the teacher personal questions and the teacher should not ask the students personal questions. It is inappropriate.

    3. During class the teacher holds up a picture card and asks Jamie to name the private parts of a boy's body. Jamie can't remember the words and feels very uncomfortable and embarrassed about the class. The teacher tells him he must answer.

      4. Problem: Jamie is not feeling good about himself or the class.

      Ground Rule: In this class everyone has the right to "pass" on any question or activity. Also, the teacher may choose to "pass" because she/he may not want to cover that topic yet or may not be allowed to answer because of school guidelines.

    4. Al asks several questions about a beaver. When someone asks what a beaver is he says "You know, it's a cunt or a pussy".

      5. Problem: Not everyone knows all the slang terms. Also, slang terms are degrading and make students feel bad about their bodies which is contrary to the goals for the class.

      Ground Rule: Try to use the words taught in the class which are the words doctors and most adults use.

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      Note: Let students know that if they can't remember the words used in the class and they want to ask a question that you will help the student find the word they are looking for. When students use a slang term and others laugh, the teacher should remain calm and give the student the correct term. Then slang terms do no seem shocking and the teacher remains in control of the class setting.
  4. Your ground rules chart should be displayed during each class so that they can be referred to easily. Even if students can't read, the chart itself can serve as a reminder. The chart should look something like this.

    5. Ground Rules:

    1. Show respect. No put-downs.
    2. Everyone has the right to "pass".
    3. All questions for information are OK.

      4. No questions are dumb.

    4. No asking personal questions.
    5. Use words taught in this class that doctors and most adults use.