Back in January, in my seventh grade classes we discussed the reproductive system.
The state frameworks are very vague on this subject but they say that they need to be covered.
LS.2.7.6 - Identify human body systems:
- nervous
- digestive
- circulatory
- respiratory
- excretory
- integumentary
- skeletal/muscular
- endocrine
- reproductive
I searched our
districts personnel policy book and found nothing relating to the issue. I then went to talk to the assistant principal to discuss what should be covered in the unit. She told me to stick to what is covered in the
book that was approved on the
state adoption list. In the past, at the end of the previous unit, I would allow students to write anonymous questions on a piece of paper (or type it if it made them feel better). I would then type the questions (editing them for appropriateness and vocabulary, obviously) and categorize them. I ran this idea by the assistant principal and she said that that would be okay and for me to just run the list by her for approval. I agreed and went on about my way.
Keep in mind that 7th graders range in age from 12-14 (sometimes 15).
Fast forward 2 MONTHS:
At parent/teacher conference I was approached by an upset parent. The parent thought that I should have sent home notification to the parents about the upcoming week long unit. Her main complaint was that students were exposed to images similar to the following:
A few questions for my readers:
- Are/should these images be offensive to a parent of a 13 year old?
- Should schools send home an opt-out letter to parents before state approved curriculum?
- Aren't kids already exposed to this information (albeit, in a misguided manner)?
These are my thoughts, what are yours?
