1. Unit Area: Sexuality, Diseases and Disorders
Grade level: Middle-High School
Time:15-20 minutes
Dom Splendorio
President at Prime Time Health Consulting
Greater New York City Area
Abstinence
Breaking the Ice
National Health Education Standard
Students will comprehend concepts related to health promotion and disease prevention
Ready (Objective)
Describe ways to reduce risks related to adolescent health problems
Define Abstinence and discuss the benefits of choosing sexual Abstinence
Set (Preparation)
Materials
Newsprint or flipchart, markers, tape
Go (Procedure)
1. Explain that the topic for today’s lesson is ABSTINENCE. They will be clarifying what
Abstinence means to them and will also be discussing the benefits of Abstinence for young teens.
2. Divide the group into 2-5 teams, depending on class size (5 or 6 people in a group is maximum)
3. Assign or ask each team to choose a recorder and a spokesperson.
4. Give a piece of newsprint and marker to each recorder. Ask each recorder to write the word
ABSTINENCE (spelled correctly!!) on top of his or her newsprint.
5. Tell the groups that each team will have 4 minutes to come up with as many words as they can
using the letters found in the word ABSTINENCE. Give the group two examples; “a” and “cat”.
Remind the groups that they can also make plural words like “cats”.
6. After 4 minutes, ask teams to stop writing. The group spokesperson should take their piece of
newsprint to the front of the room and tape it to the wall/chalkboard. Count the number of words
found by each team. Check to make sure each team found “real” words. Announce the winning
team and award prize to that team (healthy snack, extra credit point, etc.)
7. Discuss what Abstinence means by eliciting some responses from the class.
8. Ask the class if people their age ever think about sex? Tell them that thinking about sex, having
curiosity about sex, and learning about sex from their parents, school, and books is normal and
healthy. Explain the difference between thinking about sex and actually having sex.
9. Write down a working definition of Abstinence:
Abstinence- avoiding sexual intercourse with another person. Sexual
intercourse can be vaginal, anal, or oral.
10. List advantages of Abstinence (no fear of pregnancy, diseases, guilt, worry, reputation, etc.)
Sample Word List
ante ban bat bats beast beat beet bent best bin bins
bit bite bites cab cabin cabins cabs can cane canes cans
cant cast cat cats cent cents ease east eaten in inn
insect is it neat nest nine nit nits saint sane sat

2. satin scent seat seen sent sin sit site stab stain tab
tan tin