Resource Materials for Relationships Sexuality

1 First and second classes Resource Materials for Relationships & Sexuality education Social, Personal and Health education First and second classes Resource Materials for Relationships & Sexuality education Social, Personal and Health education Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Government of Ireland 1998. Illustrations by Mary Hall Designed by Brian Kelly Design Printed by Brunswick Press Ltd. 2. Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Index Page Foreword 4. Acknowledgements 5. Table of Contents 6. Introduction 7. Parent/Guardian Involvement 9. Suggested Teaching Approaches 10.

2 First Class RSE Themes 14. Curriculum Integration 99. Second Class RSE Themes 102. Curriculum Integration 191. 3. Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Foreword The Resource Materials presented here are based on the Interim Curriculum and Guidelines for Relationships and Sexuality education prepared by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment and approved by the Department of education and Science. They are not prescriptive, rather they provide a menu of options for classroom lessons from which teachers can choose in accordance with their school RSE Policy. The Materials have been prepared by experienced teachers under the guidance of the RSE training Support Service for Schools.

3 They have been evaluated by personnel from the Department of education and Science, the RSE training Support Service for Schools and classroom teachers in the Pre-Test Schools. The NCCA has been consulted in the development of these Materials and has deemed them to be compatible with the Interim Curriculum and Guidelines. It is the responsibility of those who are drawing on these resources to satisfy themselves that the content of Materials which they use is appropriate to the needs of students and in line with their school RSE Policy and Programme. A sincere word of gratitude is due to all who contributed to the development and compilation of these Resource Materials .

4 Undoubtedly they will be of immense help to all who are involved in the social, personal and health education of young people. 4. Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Acknowledgements The development of these Materials has been co-ordinated by the RSE training Support Service for Schools. This service, with the responsibility for supporting the implementation of RSE in primary and post-primary schools nationally, was set up at Drumcondra education Centre in October 1995. The RSE training Support Service for Schools is funded by the In-Career Development Unit, Department of education and Science and the European Social Fund.

5 The Department of education and Science is grateful to the many people who have contributed to the production of this Teachers' Handbook. Their commitment and invaluable assistance throughout the project has resulted in the successful completion of the Materials . Thanks are extended to: The RSE training Support Service for Schools Nora Brennan, training Co-ordinator ine Lawlor, Assistant Co-ordinator Jocelyn Kelly, Secretary The Authors Mary Beausang Clare Maloney, co-writer of Junior Infant Themes 1-8. The RSE Implementation Group Chair: Emer Egan, Senior Inspector, In-Career Development Unit The RSE Project Management Group Chair: Paul Doyle, Principal Officer, In-Career Development Unit Pre-Test Schools The Pre-Test Primary Schools, co-ordinated by Siobh n Cluskey RSE Trainers The National Team Inspectors at the Department of education and Science Bernadette N ingleis Proinsias D ghaill P draig Donnabh in The NCCA Primary Working Group Noreen Kavanagh, NCCA education Officer Fionnuala Kilfeather, National Co-ordinator NPC-Primary.

6 Colm Ceallach in, Cigire Scoileanna Sally Shiels, The Council Members of the NCCA. The Drumcondra education Centre Patrick B. Diggins, Director, and Staff education Centre Network Typist Bridie Hunter 5. Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Table of Contents First Class Theme Page Things I like to do 15. My Friends 23. My Family 31. Keeping Safe 39. Showing our Feelings 49. The Wonder of New Life 59. How My Body Works 67. Growing Means Changing 77. Decisions and their Consequences 87. Second Class Theme Page Other People are Special 103. Being Friends 113. My Family 123. Keeping Safe 131. Coping with Our Feelings 141.

7 The Wonder of New Life 151. When my Body needs Special Care 161. Growing and Changing 171. Personal Decisions 181. 6. Resource Materials for Relationships and Sexuality education First and Second Class Introduction These Resource Materials have been developed to facilitate the teaching of Relationships and Sexuality education (RSE) in accordance with the Curriculum and Guidelines for Relationships and Sexuality education proposed by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA). The Materials are arranged sequentially and are age appropriate. However, they are not prescriptive, rather they provide a menu of options for classroom lessons from which teachers can choose in accordance with their school policy on RSE.

8 Schools may wish to choose RSE Materials from other sources, as an alternative, or to supplement and complement these Materials . It would not be possible to cover all the Materials but options are offered for each RSE theme, each option having adequate material for a lesson. It may prove practicable to integrate some of the options with other subject areas. A choice of activities for inclusion in the lesson is also given. Participants in the programme should feel free to choose activities which best suit their own school situation. It is envisaged that the School RSE Policy will have been developed in each individual school in partnership with the parents/guardians, the principal, the teaching staff, the Board of Management and, where appropriate, the pupils.

9 School policy will reflect the core values and ethos of the school. What is RSE? RSE is part of Social, Personal and Health education (SPHE). RSE provides children with structured opportunities to develop the knowledge, attitudes, values, beliefs and practical skills necessary to establish and sustain healthy personal Relationships as children and, subsequently, as adults. Why teach RSE in school? The general aim of education is to contribute towards the development of all aspects of the individual, including the aesthetic, creative, critical, cultural, emotional, intellectual, moral, physical, political, social and spiritual development for personal and family life, for working life, for living in the community and for leisure.

10 Relationships and Sexuality education is clearly a part of this general aim. How can RSE be included in the school curriculum? RSE can be facilitated in three ways within the school: in the context of a positive school climate and atmosphere;. as part of the timetabled SPHE;. on an integrated, cross-curricular basis. The School RSE Policy will indicate the extent to which the RSE Programme will be delivered as stand alone lessons only or by way of a dual approach through stand alone lessons and cross curricular links. The timetabled provision for RSE may accommodate the more sensitive areas of the programme and those aspects which require a more formal approach, where adequate time can be given to children to acquire knowledge, ask questions, clarify information and develop skills.