Middle School Comprehensive Sexual Health Curriculum
adopted by the Board of Education on March 21, 2023 for use in Science 7 and Life Science courses
Per the California Department of Education (CDE)
The California Healthy Youth Act (EC 51930-51939) requires that students in grades 7-12 receive comprehensive sexual health education and HIV prevention education at least once in middle school and once in high school. The Education Code defines comprehensive sexual health education as “education regarding human development and sexuality, including education on pregnancy, contraception, and sexually transmitted infections” (EC 51931(b)) and HIV prevention education as “instruction on the nature of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and AIDS, methods of transmission, strategies to reduce the risk of HIV infection, and social and public health issues related to HIV and AIDS” (EC 51931(d)).
Setting the Classroom Environment
Learning Targets:
Understand the behaviors and expectations for engagement during comprehensive sexual health instruction.
Show empathy for others that may feel embarrassed during instruction.
Activities:
Discussion: Setting the Classroom Environment
Video: What is sexuality?
Establish Ground Rules/Agreements
Responding to Questions
Identifying Trusted Adults
Identity
Learning Targets:
Examine different social identities and the factors that influence the development of one’s identity.
Understand the concept of gender and the impacts of negative gender stereotypes.
Activities:
Discussion: Define identity
Student Handout: Defining My Identity
Who/what determines our identity? In what ways?
Slides: Gender
Video: Gender Spectrum
Handout: Genderbread Person
Video: Range of Gender Identities
Video: Find a Different Word
Reproductive Anatomy
Learning Targets:
Describe the structure, function, and major organs of the human reproductive system.
Recognize physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty.
Activities:
Slides: Reproductive Anatomy (assigned male at birth | assigned female at birth)
Videos: Am I Normal?
Human Reproduction
Learning Targets:
Understand the process of human reproduction.
Compare all pregnancy options.
Activities:
Slides: The Menstrual Cycle
Video: The Menstrual Cycle
Activity: Menstrual Cycle Sequencing
[Optional] Audio/Reading: How Schools Can Address Period Poverty
Slides: Conception & Pregnancy
Video: Pregnancy 101
Video: Labor and Vaginal Birth
Activity: Pregnancy Options Handout
Sexually Transmitted Infections
Learning Target:
Describe the ways in which sexually transmitted infections are spread and how to prevent them.
Activities:
Discussion: Daily Decision Making
Video: What are STDs? #Fact Check
Activity: Guess Who? - STI Version
Where to get an STI test: Get Tested
Activity: Finding Accurate Information
HIV/AIDS
Learning Targets:
Describe how HIV/AIDS is transmitted, impacts the human body, and can be prevented.
Develop awareness of the stereotypes and stigma associated with individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Activities:
Slides: HIV & AIDS
Video: What is HIV?
Activity: Transmission Mismatch (cards)
[Optional] Video: "Little Secret"
Activity: HIV & AIDS Mythbusters
Activity: HIV Stigma Scenarios
[Optional] Activity: HIV Hotline
Birth Control
Learning Targets:
Compare methods of preventing unplanned pregnancy.
Activities:
Activity: Decision Making
Slides: Birth Control
Video: How do contraceptives work?
Comparing Contraceptives - method, accessibility, duration, effectiveness (using contraceptive kit)
The Right Way to Use A Male Condom (not a demo)
Two Truths and a Lie - Contraceptives Version
Relationships & Boundaries
Learning Targets:
Understand the importance of communicating and respecting personal boundaries.
Recognize, report, and prevent human trafficking.
Activities:
Slides: Relationships & Boundaries
Video: Tea Consent (clean)
Video: The Signs
Video: What is Sexual Assault?
Human/Sex Trafficking
Activity: Song Analysis
Activity: Taking Action (website review)
Communication
Learning Targets:
Evaluate the effectiveness of different types of communication styles and approaches.
Activities:
Slides: Communication
Choosing Words Carefully Activity
How & What We Communicate
Activity: Talking by Text
