INFORMED ADOLESCENCE® curriculum overview
The INFORMED ADOLESCENCE® curriculum has three educational components consisting of (1) Teen Resilience, (2) Sexual Health, and (3) Boundary Setting and Personal Safety which support development of self-awareness, relationship capacity, communication clarity, and community building along with fact-based and developmentally sequential puberty, anatomy, and sexual health information. All components are taught at each grade level (5th-8th) each year. There is careful attention to inclusiveness and intersectional awareness in every lesson (gender, sexuality, race, cultural differences, ability, learning differences, etc.). Curriculum materials include a strong focus on consent and communication as well as defining, setting, and articulating boundaries. Communication with parents and other supportive adults is encouraged. Yearly parent nights facilitated by the INFORMED ADOLESCENCE faculty are encouraged with the parents for each grade and the curriculum includes a section dedicated to this purpose.
“The INFORMED ADOLESCENCE curriculum has really given me the confidence and context for how to talk about tricky subjects with my students. I feel ready to speak to them about issues they are facing as they experience puberty and adolescent growth and development. I like that the curriculum lays out terms students can hear and use in their everyday lives that will help them become more mature, respectful, and confident adolescents. Before working with INFORMED ADOLESCENCE, I felt more cautious about speaking to my students about their growing and changing bodies and emotions. Now, I feel ready to discuss and wrestle with all of their experiences.”
— Sixth-Grade Teacher
Teen Resilience This aspect of the curriculum begins in 5th grade by defining what personal characteristics make a good friend and contribute to a strong community. In 6th grade, the focus is on growing student awareness of the greater world and the fear and excitement that the students may be feeling about getting older, navigating social dynamics, and increasing independence. We work with emotional awareness and empathic/emotional development. In 7th grade, the focus expands to include relationship health in person and on line, self-care, navigating “othering,” and continuing boundary setting. In 8th grade, the focus is on values awareness, mental health, drug and alcohol informed decision making, and on increasing problem-solving capacities including discernment about when to seek outside help and support for problematic behaviors.
“These resilience lessons have taught me better how to respect myself and those around me.”
“Learning about consent focussed language has helped me NOW, and I know it will help me in the future.”
— Middle-School Students
Sexual Health This aspect of the curriculum begins in 5th grade with a discussion about puberty from biological, developmental, and personal care perspectives. In 6th grade, lessons focus on awareness of gender differences, the components of sexuality, and consent in all interactions—not just in sexual matters. In 7th grade, sexual health lessons focus on reproductive biology, gestation and birth, interrupting the use of sexual slang and shaming words for bodies, and consent as it specifically relates to romantic and sexual relationships. In 8th grade, the focus is on further skill development for navigating romantic or sexual relationships with integrity and consent, and on awareness about pregnancy prevention and safety with regards to transmission of STI/STDs. Sexual Health lessons conclude with a module on body positivity, self-acceptance and conversation about sexual behaviors for pleasure.
“Having this content taught for my children during middle school has been incredibly impactful. My children received factual information presented in a way that engaged them and assisted them in growing into their adolescent bodies. This is sexual education that they will carry with them and put to use throughout their lives. I am incredibly appreciative!”
— Parent of High-School Students
“The boundary setting and personal safety lessons help with feeling confident that our kids are heading into the teen years and beyond with an excellent foundation for how to have healthy and fulfilling relationships.”
— Parents of Two Middle-School Students
“I hope I will never have to use any of these skills but I am well prepared in case I do.”
“Our lessons on boundaries were vital for me because I used to be sort of quiet when it came to telling others what not to do. Thanks to our verbal exercises, I am now fully capable of communicating to others what my boundaries are.”
— Eighth-Grade Students
Boundary Setting and Personal Safety This aspect of the curriculum looks at personal agency and assertiveness, as appropriate for middle school students, and emphasizes body autonomy and the right of a child to speak up if they are afraid, being harmed, or unsure of the actions or intentions of another person. The lesson at each grade level has a three-pronged approach to self-protection including: (1) information about and practice of mental preparedness and awareness; (2) verbal assertiveness strategies with role play; and (3) physical defense skills including evasion, assertive posture, and physical resistance. The presented skills were chosen because they can be taught by non martial artists and effectively used by a younger or smaller person against a larger or stronger attacker. The curriculum includes involving trusted adults for support and help after needing to use any self-protection skills. Each year builds on the previous—adding more skill, refined practice, and deeper detail.