Teaching teens about reproductive organs is an uncomfortable and intimidating task for anyone. Taking this topic in a scientific approach will relieve much of that stress. Reproductive organs apply to everyone. This is the anatomy of our bodies and from a scientific standpoint, it’s not any different than discussing the heart, brain, etc. Students may be wondering and talking to one another about their reproductive health as it is, so it’s essential to give them accurate information in a controlled classroom environment.
Covering this topic is a must for health educators at the high school level, and often earlier. (For more ideas about teaching reproductive organs to young children, explore our social stories for kindergarten.) It’s better to accept and embrace this as an important aspect of your curriculum, rather than dreading it. Making reproduction a fun topic will turn the tables around on the potential awkwardness and make you a much more approachable teacher. Start on the right foot by defining the words you will be using. I post the reproductive words on the board (penis and vagina) and making them say it out loud (real loud). This gets the kids laughing but also engaged, comfortable, and loosened up for the upcoming unit. Make sure to give your neighboring classes a heads up!
Following that ice breaker activity, I usually continue with a reproductive bingo or matching terminology. This will continue to build more fun and openness with a topic that originally is thought to be awkward. These activities could help but if not done with all students demonstrating maturity, it’ll follow into your following lessons. It’s key to walk that fine line and reinforce maturity of your students. The following activity suggestions will strengthen a usually intimidating unit into your new favorite one, and they can be tailored to fit the needs of your classroom!
Activities for Sexual Reproductive Organs
Visual Notetaking
Providing students with template worksheets allows them to take notes and follow along with the lesson. Students can even choose to create a character that looks like them on the online template, which adds a little comfort to a potentially uncomfortable topic.
Matching Terms
A perfect way to get students comfortable with discussing reproduction is giving them a few bits of information about the topic and building their confidence with success. Some students hold back vocalizing their thoughts because they fear being wrong. This fear is magnified when they’re expected or asked to vocalize their thoughts on a subject like reproduction. An activity like matching is a great method of going over information in a safe way.
Reproductive Bingo
Playing a game like bingo could be a great way to break the ice with this topic. Ask the students to create their own bingo sheets from the template and make use of the "Move Cell" feature of Storyboard That. Cut out the terms and put them into a bowl for the kids to pull and yell out.
Puzzle
Cutting the reproductive organs or printing them onto a blank puzzle paper could be a great summative activity. Asking the student to put them in order from the production of sex cells or direction sex cells must travel for reproduction is another way of showing cognitive learning.
Custom Worksheets
Another fantastic way to ensure students are learning what they need to know is to create custom worksheets that can be tailored to how your students learn. All of the imagery used in the storyboard activities above can be used in worksheets! If students need more help with vocabulary or understanding each part, it's easy to create materials for them to assess how well they've comprehended the information they've learned.
Outlining Differences
Students should understand that not everyone may fit into either male or female boxes. Intersex individuals are born with several variations of genitals, gonads, sex hormones, or chromosomes. Having students sort similarities and differences into boxes helps shift conversation into gender and sexuality. You can refer to Storyboard That's article on gender and sexuality for additional activities.
Fill in the Blank
Filling in the blanks for guided images helps students retain information and understand how it fits. Ask the students to fill in the description based on where the arrows in the images are pointing. They'll be able to demonstrate their understanding by themselves or with a partner.
| Proficient | Emerging | Beginning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Correct Title of Cells | The cell title box has both correct names of the reproductive systems indicated in the cell. | The cell title box has only one correct name of the reproductive systems indicated in the cell. | The cell title box has both incorrect names of the reproductive systems indicated in the cell. |
| Understanding of Content | The storyboard overall achieves the goal of the assignment. The student was able to fill in the blank information in the description of the cell. The function of each reproductive system was fully and accurately described for both terms. | The student was able to fill in the blank information in the description of the cell. The function of each reproductive system was mostly correct for only one term. | The student was unable to fill any of the blank information with accurate information. Both descriptions of terms were inaccurate. |
| Use of Conventions | There are few to no grammar or spelling mistakes. The text clearly indicates messages of classroom content. | There are some grammar or spelling mistakes, but understanding of content is clear. | There are too many grammar or spelling mistakes, creating an unclear understanding of content. |
Essential Questions for Understanding Reproductive Organs
- Where are male and female sex cells formed?
- What is fertilization and where does it take place?
- Where does a fertilized egg implant itself?
How to Foster Open and Respectful Discussions
Establish Ground Rules:
Set clear guidelines for respectful communication and participation in discussions. Encourage active listening, empathy, and open-mindedness. Establish a safe space where all opinions and perspectives are valued and respected.
Create an Inclusive Environment:
Ensure that all students feel welcome and included in the discussion. Emphasize the importance of diversity and encourage students to embrace different viewpoints. Foster an environment where students feel comfortable expressing themselves without fear of judgment or ridicule.
Encourage Active Participation:
Create opportunities for all students to contribute to the discussion. Use strategies like think-pair-share, small group discussions, or rotating speaking roles to engage everyone. Provide prompts or guiding questions to stimulate thoughtful responses and promote deeper thinking.
Practice Effective Communication Skills:
Teach and model effective communication skills, such as active listening, paraphrasing, and using "I" statements. Encourage students to express their thoughts and opinions respectfully, using evidence and examples to support their views. Guide students in acknowledging and addressing conflicting viewpoints with understanding and empathy.
Manage Conflict and Controversial Topics:
Provide guidance on how to navigate disagreements and conflicts in a constructive manner. Teach conflict resolution strategies, such as finding common ground, seeking compromise, or agreeing to disagree. Create a supportive atmosphere where students can explore controversial topics without personal attacks or hostility.
Reflect and Summarize:
Wrap up the discussion by summarizing key points and highlighting the diversity of perspectives shared. Encourage students to reflect on what they have learned from the discussion and how it may have influenced their own thinking. Emphasize the importance of respectful dialogue in building understanding, empathy, and cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions about Teaching Reproductive Organs
What is the suggested approach for teaching reproductive organs to teens?
Taking a scientific approach will relieve much of the stress and making reproduction a fun topic will turn the tables around on the potential awkwardness and make the teacher a much more approachable person. Starting with defining the words, and using fun activities to build openness and comfort with the topic can be very helpful.
Why is it important to teach teens about reproductive organs?
Students may be wondering and talking to one another about their reproductive health as it is, so it's essential to give them accurate information in a controlled classroom environment. Covering this topic is a must for health educators at the high school level, and often earlier.
What are some suggested activities for teaching about reproductive organs?
Activities such as visual notetaking, matching terms, reproductive bingo, puzzles, custom worksheets, outlining differences, and fill-in-the-blank can be used to make learning about reproductive organs more engaging and effective.
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