How to Teach the Reproductive System
Teaching children or teenagers about the reproductive system can be difficult. Adolescents might not feel comfortable discussing reproduction in the classroom, and older teens might laugh or make inappropriate jokes to conceal their own discomfort. Fortunately, there are ways to make this topic easier to address in a classroom setting.
Instructions
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Classroom Tips
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1
Send home a parent letter a couple weeks before teaching the reproductive system. This is particularly important if you are teaching elementary school children who might not be familiar with reproduction. Encouraging parent and child communication at home will make students more comfortable in the classroom, and also will help to avoid any conflicts with parents.
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Bring in a guest speaker. Students might feel more comfortable asking a stranger questions. Also, if you bring in an expert, such as a gynecologist or midwife, students might take the subject more seriously.
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Respect students' questions and concerns. This is a very sensitive topic, and students might be embarrassed to ask questions. Be sure to discourage and discipline any laughing or disrespectful behavior from other students.
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Separate boys and girls if necessary. For example, if you are showing a graphic video depicting the female reproductive organs, it might be helpful to dismiss the boys or have them watch a similar video in another room that explains the male reproductive organs.
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Tips & Warnings
Don't paint the reproductive system in a negative light. Doing so will only add to the discomfort that students already might feel.
Emphasize the reproductive aspect of this bodily system. Show pictures and videos about birth and pregnancy, rather than simply preaching about STDs.
There is a great example of a parent letter at the website of the 2004 Core Knowledge National Conference. (See Reference 1, page 18 below.)
Be sure to consider any state laws or school rules before outlining your teaching program.
