In MDE's Policy on Comprehensive School Health Education, the State Board recommends that Michigan schools provide at least 50 hours of health at each grade, Prekindergarten through Grade Twelve, to give students adequate time to learn and practice health habits and skills for a lifetime.

If we look at Michigan's Grade Level Content Expectations for grades 4, Growth and Development is RECOMMENDED, but not mandated, to be taught (see Strand 7 with 3 standards). In 5th grade, it's also called, "Growth and Development" (see Strand 7 with 4 standards) and starting in 6th grade, Strand 7 includes 7 standards on Sexuality Education.

• Health GLCE Grade 4
• Health GLCE Grade 5
• Health GLCE Grade 6

“Note: State law makes whether to offer sexuality education a local district decision. Course content must be reviewed by the district’s Sex Education Advisory Board to determine whether it is consistent with the district’s board policies and approved sexuality education curriculum. If the district chooses to offer sexuality education, certain content must be included in an age-appropriate fashion in the K-12 instructional program. This content is integrated into these content expectations. For the specific language of the law, see Sections 380.1507, 1507a, and 1507b of the Michigan Compiled Laws at www.michiganlegislature.org.)”

According to the Michigan Department of Education, To teach sex education, teachers must be qualified to teach health.2 (§380.1507).

According to MDE, a teacher with an elementary certificate may teach "all subjects," which may include health education, including sex education, at the grades indicated on the certificate. Some certificates specify that "all subjects" may be taught only in self-contained setting (SC) for some grades.

The Michigan Department of Education (MDE) issues permits to meet different school staffing needs when a properly certified and endorsed teacher is not available. For questions pertaining educator preparation, certification, placement and permits, contact MDE-EducatorHelp@Michigan.gov. If course content and lessons are being taught outside of the classroom setting, but within the instructional day, state law regarding teacher qualification applies. Because the classroom teacher is ultimately responsible for all instruction, they must be in the

classroom if guest speakers are presenting.

Puberty education, sometimes called growth and development, would fall under reproductive health, which is a part of sex education.

• Puberty the Wonder Years - grades 4, 5 and 6, available in Spanish, Scope and Sequence

• Rights, Respect, and Responsibility - K-12, available in Spanish

• Michigan Model for Health™ - 4th and 5th Grade HIV lessons

• Puberty Talk -grades 5 & 6

• Advocates for Youth - ages 9-15
• The ABC's of ME - K--5, autonomy, boundaries, consent

How do you know what curriculum is best for your students?

• HECAT: Module SH - Sexual Health Curriculum
• Developing a Scope and Sequence - CDC
• Guidelines for Comprehensive Sexuality Education
• Puberty Curriculum Review Questions
• Use local data: Youth Assessment Survey, MiPHY
• Parent/caregiver surveys - Parent Survey Example

• Puberty the Wonder Years video list

• Amaze.org - multiple videos on puberty

• Pop’n’Olly - videos on lgbt+

• Always Youtube Channel

Puberty Books for Children - Puberty the Wonder Years

Books on Puberty - Common Sense Media

The Best Sex Education Books for Kids of all Ages (and Their Parents) - Parents

Promoting Healthy Sexuality for Children and Adolescents with Disabilities

Sexuality Education for Students with Disabilities

Curriculum

Curriculum, PD, and Resources

Healthy Relationships

FLASH Curriculum

Elevatus: Sexuality Education for People with Developmental Disabilities

Life Horizons

Books

You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body

It's Perfectly Normal

Teaching Children with Down Syndrome about their Bodies, Boundaries, and Sexuality

Special Boys' Business

What's Happening to TOM?

TOM Needs to Go

What's Happening to ELLIE?

FOR PARENTS: When Young People with Intellectual Disabilities and Autism Hit Puberty

LGBTQ+

The ABC's of LGBT+: (Gender Identity Book for Teens, Teen & Young Adult LGBT Issues)

Using Inclusive Sex Education Language

Promoting Healthy Development of Sexuality and Gender Identity

Pop'n'Olly - LGBT+ Education for Children, Parents, Carers & Teachers

The Gender Unicorn

"You don't have to be an expert on puberty to do an excellent job of teaching your child about puberty." - Wendy Sellers, Puberty the Wonder Years

Books for Parents and Children to Read Together and Discuss

Talking to your Child about Puberty

Parent-Child Communication

Tips for Talking about Sexual Health

Growth and Development, Ages Nine to Twelve - What Parents Need to Know

Are you an Askable Parent?

An Age-by-Age Guide to Teaching Kids about "The Birds & the Bees"

Parenting Through Puberty: Mood Swings, Acne, and Growing Pains book

Positive Parenting Tips for Healthy Child Development

National Sex Education Standards

• Consent and Healthy Relationships

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Puberty and Adolescent Sexual Development

• Gender Identity and Expression

• Sexual Orientation and Identity

• Sexual Health

• Interpersonal Violence

“Teacher Talk Puberty” Facebook group
“Spot On” Period Tracker
Magicgirl - Teen period tracker
Always website
Menstrual Hygiene - CDC

Puberty is Starting Earlier - Are Schools Keeping Up? - Edutopia, 2024

Bringing your Puberty Education into 2024: Issues and Hot Topics

Free or low cost health coverage for children under the age of 19 or pregnant women of any age. Call the MI Child and Healthy Kids hotline at 1-888-988-6300 or apply online.

The contents of this newsletter on puberty are solely those of the authors or contributors. The OAISD is not endorsing any of the resources or curriculum mentioned above.

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Email: ssills@oaisd.org
Website: www.oaisd.org
Location: Ottawa Area Intermediate School District, 13565 Port Sheldon Street, Holland, MI, 49424