2. Feelings about discussing
Puberty…
It’s OK
It’s OK
It’s OK
It’s OK
To be embarrassed
Not to know
To ask questions
For males and females to
know about each other
20. What are some things
you should do to look
after your skin when
outside in the sun?
Question 15
21. Why do both males and
females voices change
during puberty.
Question 16
22. The purpose of the
female’s breasts is for
breastfeeding. T/F?
Question 17
23. Some males might have
some temporary breast
growth during puberty.
T/F?
Question 18
24. Why do a female’s hips
widen as she grows?
Question 19
25. During puberty you may
experience stronger
feelings of wanting to
be liked and “fitting in”
may become more
important.
T/F?
Question 20
26. Males and females can
start to have romantic
feelings for someone.
T/F?
Question 21
27. You may find you are
starting to feel more grown-
up. What is one thing you
can do to show your
parents/teacher that you’re
ready for more
independence?
Question 22
28. Mood swings are a part
of puberty. Name some
different feelings that
you may experience.
Question 23
29. Feeling lonely and
confused at times is a
normal part of puberty.
What are some things
you could do to help you
feel better?
Question 24
30. Too much stress is not
healthy. What are some
things you can do to
manage your stress?
Question 25
31. What can you do if you
are feeling sad or are in
a bad mood sometimes?
Question 26
32. What could you do if you
find you are feeling sad
or angry for several
weeks at a time and there
is no known cause such
as the death of a pet?
Question 27
33. What could you do if
your friend comes to
you and says they feel
really sad or
depressed?
Question 28
34. What are some ways to
make sure your body
stays as healthy as
possible as you grow
up?
Question 29
37. Male Reproductive System
(side view)
Seminal
vesicle
Anus*
Prostate gland
Epididymis
Testicle
Scrotum
*Urinary bladder
Vas deferens
Urethra
Penis
*Not part of the reproductive
system
Briefly review as this was discussed in Grade 4 and 5
Embarrassment
Is common; giggling or blushing, and wiggling in chairs is expected.
Most people want to know about their bodies and those of the opposite sex.
Knowing the information helps youth to feel more comfortable and prepared as they go through puberty.
Adults can feel embarrassed too (think children are too young, no one ever talked to them, it is a private topic, not used to discussing it, or think they should have all the answers).
Knowing/Not Knowing
Is important to learn about puberty; helps to understand the changes that are/will happen.
Some students have very limited knowledge and others know more.
For some, this may be the first opportunity to explore the changes of puberty.
For those with some knowledge, it is important to continue to talk about puberty and to make sure that the information they have is correct.
Students may have learned about these topics from friends or the media. Unfortunately, those sources are not always accurate.
Asking questions
Tell students that this is not a forbidden topic and it’s okay to learn about it.
If a student has a question, it’s likely other students have the same question.
Introduce the question box (if using).
Explore why asking friends isn’t the best option.
Males and females to know about each other
Discuss respect of each other and of the topic.
We spend a lot of our lives relating to people of the opposite gender (fathers, brothers, sons, mothers, sisters, daughters). If we learn about them and their concerns, perhaps we can understand them better and can improve our relationships with them.
It may be more difficult to discuss these topics in the co-ed setting, but it is a good introduction to understanding and communicating with the opposite gender in a respectful way.
Puberty is a time of change that can be both exciting and frightening.
REVIEW:
What exactly is Puberty?
3 periods of rapid growth: conception to birth, birth to the 1st birthday and puberty
Puberty - the stage of development when a person changes from a child to an adult
Changes include physical changes, emotional, social and thinking (cognitive) changes
REVIEW:
When does Puberty happen?
Changes of puberty happen at different times. Similar to a “personal alarm clock” no two clocks are set exactly the same
Timing of puberty is influenced by heredity, nutrition throughout childhood and physical activity levels
Females usually experience puberty between 8-16 years
Males usually change between 10-18 years
Changes are generally complete by 18 for females and 20 for males
How does it all happen?
Pituitary gland (think of a “cherry pit” shape) which is located at the bottom of the brain sends out chemical messages, called hormones, to get things started.
Hormones travel in the blood stream, to different parts of the body
Females: hormones target glands called ovaries
Males: hormones target glands called testicles
Both of these glands are then signaled by these hormones to start making their own hormones
Females: the ovaries start making hormones, one of which is called estrogen
Males: the testicles start making a hormone called testosterone
These hormones then travel in the blood stream and tell other parts of the body to start changing. They cause changes allowing children’s bodies to grow into adult bodies.
Prepare students for trivia questions to review what they know about puberty. Have students work in small groups to respond to questions about puberty. (See full instructions in the Teaching Tool.)
The process of changing from a child into an adult
Testosterone
Estrogen
8 – 16; remind students that these are age ranges, some start sooner and some finish later
10 – 18; remind students that these are age ranges, some start sooner and some finish later
shoulders and chest broaden, genitals grow larger, muscles develop more in males than in females, Adam’s apple, voice deepens
breasts develop, hips widen, menstruation
to regulate body temperature; everybody sweats, even children but during puberty different glands develop that start to produce a sweat that causes body odour
shower/bathe daily to reduce the bacteria that can lead to odour; deodorant/antiperspirant; clean clothes - socks, underwear, shirt; perfumes, body sprays, etc. are not necessary (refer to school policy re: scent free environment)
deodorants are perfume for the underarms – it doesn’t stop sweat but makes it smell nicer; antiperspirants control odour and wetness by decreasing the amount of sweat produced
Acne, pimples, zits. The increase in hormones during puberty causes oil (sebaceous) glands to produce excess amounts of oil (sebum).
wash face daily; don’t pick pimples; keep hands away from face; keep hair off face; limit amount of stress; headbands, sports equipment and backpack straps rubbing on the skin can lead to skin irritation and acne; use of over the counter medicated acne products; visit to a health care professional is necessary in some cases
No, but it’s still important to eat healthy and some people may be more likely to develop acne due to hereditary factors
Slip on proper clothing; slap on a hat; slop on sunscreen SPF 30 min.; seek shade; slide on sunglasses
Larynx/voice box is getting bigger; it is more noticeable in males and some males may even develop an Adam’s apple
T - they’re to breastfeed their young if they choose to; briefly discuss how the media has sexualized breasts making them embarrassing for some to discuss
T – is related to hormones regulating themselves early in puberty
Preparation for childbirth
T; briefly discuss peer pressure
True, they may be surprised as to who they are attracted to; stress the importance of differing family values; and there are different types of relationships
offer to help with chores; follow through on commitments you’ve made
happy, sad, angry, scared, confused, lonely
take some time to consider why you might be feeling this way; talk to someone you trust; do something you enjoy; put the screens down and go spend time with people you enjoy; journal; play/listen to music; spend time with your pet
We all have stress in our lives. Make the point that some stress is healthy but when it gets too much then exercise; read; music; pets; friends; talk to someone
Smile, get active, do something they like to do, listen to music, spend time with a pet, journal, talk to a friend
Tell an adult, parents, teachers, counselors, school nurse, clergy etc.
Be a good friend by listening and going together to a trusted adult for help; talk about the importance of getting help and not keeping it ‘secret’; if your friend won’t go then consider going alone to talk to someone you trust
Eat healthy foods, drink water when thirsty and have milk at meal times, be physically active – no need to join the gym, limit stress, get enough sleep/rest – between 9 & 11 hrs./night, say no to smoking, alcohol and drugs; incorporate refusal skills as time permits
Explain to students that they will now review how puberty affects the male reproductive system.
Prior to presenting the diagram of the male reproductive system (next slide), have students complete Anatomy Matching Game (see instructions and materials in Teaching Tool).
Students learned this in Grade 5 so this is review
Testicles
Male reproductive glands of which there are usually two, about the size of walnuts.
Males only need one in order to be able to reproduce.
If a male has only one testis (born that way or sometimes an accident or cancer causes the loss) the remaining testis doubles its sperm production.
Sometimes one can grow faster than the other, normal for one to hang lower.
Two functions - production of testosterone, which causes the changes of puberty, and the production of sperm.
Scrotum
Sac of skin that holds the testicles.
It pulls the testicles closer to the body if it is cold and lowers away from the body if it is hot.
The testicles have to be kept at a certain temperature just below body temperature in order to produce healthy sperm, which is why they are on the outside of the body.
During puberty the scrotum will grow and turn darker in colour.
It is a very sensitive area – easily damaged – important to protect during sports activities by wearing a jock.
Never deliberately kick anyone there.
Epididymis
The coiled tube at the back of the testicle that holds and carries sperm.
Vas Deferens
The tube which carries sperm out of the testicles (also known as the sperm duct)
Since there are 2 testicles, there are 2 vas deferens.
Both join with the urethra, which is the tube located under the bladder.
Seminal Vesicles
Two small pouches behind the bladder and above the prostate gland that produce fluid.
This fluid mixes with sperm and other fluid to produce semen.
Prostate gland
Donut shaped gland under the bladder; size of a chestnut.
Surrounds the urethra.
The testicles produce sperm and the vas deferens carries this sperm to the prostate gland, where it mixes with fluid from the prostate and seminal vesicles.
The purpose of these fluids is to nourish the sperm and keep them alive.
Sperm + fluid = substance called semen.
Spermatogenesis
There are special cells produced in the testicles after the onset of puberty called sperm cells.
One cell, the tiniest cell in the male body, can reproduce when united with the special female egg cell (ovum).
They are very small – need a microscope to see them.
Once a male starts to make sperm they will continue to make about 400 million each day for the rest of their life.
Sperm are shaped like tadpoles and are able to swim by lashing their tails.
Sperm build up in tubes around the testicles called the epididymis.
As sperm is being produced the older ones die off and will be reabsorbed by the body.
When sperm is going to leave the body, in a process called ejaculation they travel through the vas deferens and mix with fluids released from both the seminal vesicles and prostate gland to form a white sticky fluid called semen.
Urethra
The urethra is the tube that runs the length of the penis.
It has 2 branches – one to bladder, one to vas deferens.
The urethra provides a passageway for both urine and semen to leave the body.
Urine and semen cannot come out at the same time as the acidity of the urine would destroy the sperm cells in the semen.
When the penis is ready to release semen, a valve blocks off the branch to the bladder so urine cannot escape.
Penis
The penis is a tube-like organ of spongy tissue, nerves and blood vessels; and varies in size.
It takes a while for the penis to grow and it will grow as the rest of the body grows. Testicles grow first.
The foreskin is the name given to the skin on the end of the penis that pulls back when the penis gets hard (erection).
Sometimes this skin is removed in a procedure called circumcision, usually done soon after birth.
Some of the factors that play into the parents’ decision include: religious reasons, personal and cultural beliefs and parents want their baby to “look like” the father. It is normal either way.
Used to be routinely done – now is more common to be based on a person’s choice.
Males who have not been circumcised should cleanse beneath the foreskin of the penis regularly by gently pulling it back from the glans, rinsing the glans and inside of the foreskin with warm water, then pulling the foreskin back over the head of the penis.
Anus
The opening of the end of the digestive tract where feces/solid waste/poop leaves the body.
Not part of the reproductive system, but part of the digestive system.
Changes in the male reproductive organs at puberty
Erections
The tissue that makes up the penis is called spongy tissue.
Under a microscope this tissue has many tiny holes in it.
These tiny holes fill up with extra blood which causes the penis to get bigger, harder and stand out from the body, called an erection.
Erections happen for physical reasons before puberty, even before birth.
They can also happen when the penis is touched or when excited.
Sexual thoughts send message to penis – thickens and sticks out from body.
Can happen when it is least expected or wanted (e.g. first thing in the morning when you have a full bladder, during sleep, when you are anxious or frightened, no reason at all), not always related to sexual thoughts.
This can be frightening and embarrassing. This is a normal process of growing up.
An erection does not mean that sperm will be released (ejaculation). Erections will go away on their own. Males can cope with an unwanted erection by:
Focusing on something else until it goes away
Sitting down
Putting your hands in your pockets to try to hide it
Wearing baggy pants if it keeps happening
At the pool? Jump in or put your towel in front of you
Ejaculations
Ejaculation is the release of semen from the penis.
The penis must be erect before an ejaculation occurs.
Usually has to be some extra touching of the penis for this to happen (e.g. during sexual intercourse or masturbation).
Muscles push the semen into the urethra and out the penis.
There are millions of sperm in one ejaculation.
Wet dreams (Nocturnal Emissions)
Wet dreams are ejaculation of semen during sleep.
This is one time that semen comes out without any extra touching of the penis
If a male wakes up and finds a wet, sticky spot on his pajamas, semen came out when he was sleeping.
A male may be concerned that he has wet (urinated) the bed but this is not the case.
Some males have wet dreams, some don’t. Whatever happens is OK.
Males should change their PJ’s and sheets as needed and then put them in the laundry.
It is important to remember that it is a normal part of growing up.
Jock itch
There is increased perspiration during puberty, including in the pubic area.
Sweaty underwear or jock straps can lead to a scaly, itchy rash in the genital area.
It is important to keep clean, and keep the skin dry (e.g. dry well after bathing or showering; use of corn starch).
It can be treated with anti-fungal preparations available at the drugstore without a prescription.
If the problem persists, see your health care professional.