Human Growth and Development
Philosophy
The West Allis-West Milwaukee School District curriculum is designed to work in partnership with the parents/guardians’. We recognize that parents are the primary educator of the students in their own Human Growth and Development. The district’s role is to provide developmentally appropriate and medically accurate information. It is the parent/guardians’ role to work in complement with that information to share and explain. The curriculum is developmentally appropriate, based in medical research, and is abstinence centered. As human growth and development plays a small portion of a student’s total education experience, both inside and outside of the classroom, the West Allis-West Milwaukee curriculum is designed to encourage the following statements by students.
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Respect for self and others
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Understanding the importance of safety (both physically, emotionally, and socially)
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Understanding how life choices impact one’s own health
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Understand the legal implications of choices
Rationale
It is important to acknowledge that the goal is to establish a partnership between the school district and parents in human growth and development education, with the parent/guardian being the primary role. Curricular materials and programming presented in the classroom are designed to provide factual information for students. Abstinence (making the choice not to become sexually active) is recognized as the best alternative, as well as the only 100% effective way to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, and prevent pregnancy.
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction: Human Growth and Development: A Resource Guide to Assist School Districts in Policy, Program Development, and Implementation
Goal
The goal of this curriculum is to provide students with a developmentally appropriate 4th/5th/6th/7th/8th/10th grade instructional programming that will include topics related to human growth and development in order to provide accurate information and develop a partnership between school and parent for the purposes of education. The goal is to provide content that is developmentally and age appropriate for students, in addition to addressing knowledge related to human growth and development and specific skills necessary to display healthy behaviors.
Objectives
As related to the human development programming:
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Increase self-awareness and build self-esteem (4th and 5th grade)
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Understand how the human body changes over time (4th and 5th grade)
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Develop interpersonal skills that lead to the development and maintenance of healthy relationships (4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th grade)
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To teach medically accurate facts about human sexuality, including reproductive systems, pregnancy risks, human development from conception through adulthood (6th, 7th, 8th, and 10th grade)
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To teach facts about sexually transmitted diseases, sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS (7th, 8th, and 10th grade)
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Understand how intersecting identities can play a role/influence beliefs and expectations around gender, gender identity, gender roles, gender expression, and sexual orientation (8th and 10 grade)
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To encourage and understand that safe relationships are abstinence centered and the only way to prevent pregnancy is through abstinence (8th and 10th grade)
Primary Resources: ***Note: Teachers shall teach the curriculum as approved by the Board of Education. Textual and media material are important resources, teachers shall not use any supplemental resources in the Curriculum/Content Area of Human Growth and Development. Lessons shall be implemented as approved by a designated WAWM staff member. Lessons are made available in advance for parent/guardian review.
National Sexuality Education Standards Addressed
- 4th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
- 5th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
- 6th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
- 7th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
- 8th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
4th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
4th Grade Girls slide Presentation
4th Grade Boys slide presentation
AP.5.CC.1 Describe male and female reproductive systems including body parts and their functions
AP.5.AI.1 Identify medically-accurate information about female and male reproductive anatomy
PD.5.CC.1 Explain the physical, social, and emotional changes that occur during puberty and adolescence
4th Grade-I cans
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I can find medically accurate information about my own human growth and development.
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I can discuss changes in my body with a trusted adult.
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I can understand physical and emotional changes that are happening within my body.
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I can demonstrate my role within my own personal hygiene.
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I can demonstrate the physiology of the human body and basic correct terminology for parts of the reproductive system.
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I can recognize that each individual student is unique, including myself, and that each person deserves to be treated with respect.
5th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
5th Grade Girls slide presentation
5th Grade Boys slide presentation
PD.5.INF.1 Describe how peers, media, family, society and culture influence ideas about body image
PD.5.AI.1 Identify medically-accurate information and resources about puberty and personal hygiene
PD.5.CC.2 Explain how the timing of puberty and adolescent development varies considerably and can still be healthy
PD.5.AI.2 Identify parents or other trusted adults of whom they can ask questions about puberty and adolescent health issues
HR.5.CC.1 Describe the characteristics of healthy relationships (e.g., family, friends, peers)
HR.5.INF.1 Compare positive and negative ways friends and peers can influence relationships
HR.5.AI.1 Identify parents and other trusted adults they can talk to about relationships
PD.8.INF.1 Analyze how friends, family, media, society and culture can influence self-concept and body image
5th Grade-I cans
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I can understand how puberty affects my body (physically and emotionally) and acknowledge these changes as a normal part of growth and development.
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I can describe the role that a healthy lifestyle impacts my body (health, exercise, and nutrition).
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I can understand the role that the media (print, TV, and social media) plays in my social development. This may include the influence of behaviors, self-perception, and self-image.
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I can explain my body and the changes that my body is experiencing.
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I can identify trusted adults that a student can go to promote safety, for support, and for assistance.
6th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
HR.5.IC.1 Demonstrate positive ways to communicate differences of opinion while maintaining relationships
6th Grade-I cans
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I can describe the anatomy of the male and female reproductive systems.
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I can describe physical and emotional changes that occur in the human body during puberty.
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I can identify healthy relationships and how they impact my life and others in my community. Ability to identify the signs and characteristics of a healthy relationship.
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I can discuss the importance of abstinence as a responsible choice and understand the benefits of sexual abstinence.
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I can discuss the importance of self-respect and respecting peers.
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I can identify trusted adults that a student can go to promote safety, for support, and for assistance.
7th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
AP.8.CC.1 Describe the male and female sexual and reproductive systems including body parts and their functions
PD.8.CC.1 Describe the physical, social, cognitive and emotional changes of adolescence
PR.8.CC.3 Describe the signs, symptoms and potential impacts of STDs, including HIV
7th Grade-I cans
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I can describe what are sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including prevention and personal health impacts.
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I can describe the physical, social, and emotional changes that happen during puberty.
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I can understand the anatomy of male and female sexual/reproductive systems.
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I can discuss what are the characteristics of a healthy relationship and effective ways to maintain positive relationships.
8th Grade Standards/Presentation/I Can Statements
PR.8.CC.1 Define sexual intercourse and its relationship to human reproduction
PR.8.CC.2 Define sexual abstinence as it relates to pregnancy prevention
PR.8.IC.1 Demonstrate the use of effective communication skills to support one's decision to abstain from sexual behaviors
PR.8.IC.2 Demonstrate the use of effective communication and negotiation skills about the use of contraception including abstinence and condoms
PR.8.CC.5 Describe the signs and symptoms of a pregnancy
SH.8.CC.1 Define STDs, including HIV, and how they are and are not transmitted
SH.8.AI.1 Identify medically-accurate information about STDs, including HIV
SH.8.CC.3 Describe the signs, symptoms and potential impacts of STDs, including HIV
8th Grade-I cans
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I can understand how pregnancy can be prevented.
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I can understand the physical and financial impacts of pregnancy.
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I can describe the cause, symptoms, complications, and prevention of STDs & STIs (including HIV/AIDS), including failure & prevention rates of contraceptives methods.
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I can discuss what are the characteristics of a healthy relationship and effective ways to maintain positive relationships.
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I understand how intersecting identities can play a role/influence beliefs and expectations around gender, gender identity, gender roles, gender expression, and sexual orientation.
CASEL Standards
Responsible decision-making
The abilities to make caring and constructive choices about personal behavior and social interactions across diverse situations.
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Learning how to make a reasoned judgment after analyzing information, data, and facts
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Identifying solutions for personal and social problems
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Anticipating and evaluating the consequences of one’s actions
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Reflecting on one’s role to promote personal, family, and community well-being
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Evaluating personal, interpersonal, community, and institutional impacts
Relationship skills
The abilities to establish and maintain healthy and supportive relationships and to effectively navigate settings with diverse individuals and groups.
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Developing positive relationships
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Resisting negative social pressure
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Seeking or offering support and help when needed
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Resisting negative social pressure
Social awareness
The abilities to understand the perspectives of and empathize with others, including those from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and contexts.
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Taking others’ perspectives
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Demonstrating empathy and compassion
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Recognizing situational demands and opportunities
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Understanding the influences of organizations and systems on behavior
Self-awareness
Self-management
No Student may be required to take instruction in Human Growth and Development if the Parent/Guardian file a written request that the student be exempted. Exemption forms are available at your Child’s School Office.