7th/8th Grade Family Life Curriculum Course

The 7th/8th grade curriculum empowers students to make healthy decisions about relationships, sexuality, and personal safety by developing critical thinking skills, learning to identify healthy versus toxic relationships, and developing media literacy to analyze how TV, music, social media, and advertising portray relationships and sexuality. A science-based unit provides medically accurate information about puberty, reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, conception, contraceptive methods and their effectiveness rates, and common sexually transmitted infections, while emphasizing that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent pregnancy and STIs. A dedicated personal safety lesson teaches students to recognize harassment, abuse, and assault as issues of power and control, understand that abuse is never the victim's fault, and practice bystander intervention while accessing concrete resources including school counselors, the DCS Child Abuse Hotline (1-888-SOS-CHILD), and RAINN (1-800-656-HOPE). By combining accurate health information with emphasis on boundaries, consent, and respect, this curriculum prepares 7th & 8th grade students to advocate for their sexual health and safety.

Question 1: How do I make healthy decisions about my body, relationships, and personal safety as I grow and change?

Question 2: What do I need to know about my reproductive system, STIs, pregnancy, and my rights to stay healthy and safe?

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This foundational unit equips students with the critical thinking and communication skills needed for healthy development. Students learn a structured problem-solving approach to make responsible decisions, understanding how self-awareness, self-esteem, and personal values guide their choices. They explore what makes relationships healthy versus toxic, identifying red flags like manipulation, control, and one-sided dynamics through activities like the "Healthy vs. Toxic Relationship Questionnaire" and "Defining Toxic Relationships" matching exercise.

Students also develop media literacy skills by analyzing how TV, music, social media, and advertising portray relationships and sexuality, discussing how stereotypes and false expectations can influence their views. The unit emphasizes that everyone has the power to set and maintain boundaries, say "no" assertively, and report harassment—establishing that respect, honesty, and consent are non-negotiable in all relationships.

This science-based unit provides medically accurate information about puberty, reproductive systems, and sexual health. Students learn about the physical, emotional, and social changes of puberty using the "Adolescent Physical Development Chart," understanding that everyone develops at their own pace.

They study the anatomy and functions of male and female reproductive systems, the menstrual cycle, and personal hygiene practices. Students explore how pregnancy occurs through conception and fetal development, learning about the stages from fertilization through birth and the importance of prenatal care. The curriculum examines contraceptive methods, comparing effectiveness rates, side effects, and access, while emphasizing that abstinence is the only 100% effective way to prevent both pregnancy and STIs.

Students also learn about common sexually transmitted infections—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, HPV, herpes, syphilis, and hepatitis—exploring transmission routes, symptoms, treatment, and why early screening is critical. Throughout this unit, students are empowered to make informed decisions about their sexual health.

These critical lessons teach students to recognize, respond to, and report sexual harassment and abuse. Students learn the difference between harassment, abuse, and assault, understanding that these are about power and control, not sex. Through activities like the "Could It Be?" worksheet and "Stand Up Exercise," students identify examples of inappropriate behavior and explore why victims don't always speak out—addressing myths about blame and shame.

The curriculum emphasizes that abuse is never the victim's fault and provides concrete resources, including school counselors, hotlines (DCS Child Abuse Hotline: 1-888-SOS-CHILD; RAINN: 1-800-656-HOPE), and community organizations. Students practice bystander intervention, learning how to support peers and speak up against harmful behavior. The unit reinforces that trusted adults—parents, teachers, counselors, and medical professionals—are mandated reporters who can help. Students leave understanding that everyone deserves respect and safety, and that help is always available.