69

After a small scuffle over whose turn it is next, a student volunteer draws a yin-yang on the board. This symbol, for our class, stands as a wee reminder that roughly half of the population -that being the female population- is not represented in our all male school, middle-school sex ed classes. We also review the 4 class guidelines, (see first blog entry if curious or forgetful). We do a lot of reminding.

Ready to begin our Puberty from Head to Toe unit, I reinforce to the students that if a question comes up, please ask it. "You may feel hesitant-that is normal. Answering your questions, helping you navigate some of the foggy terrain that goes along with hitting puberty, feeling sexual, not hitting puberty or not feeling sexual- that is what this class is for. This time of life can be shameful or hilarious or it can be horrifying at times. So go ahead and ask questions, everyone will learn from them. The answers, as you know, probably have to do with hair and fluid anyway."

As an ice breaker, actually a shatterer, I purposely offer an example:
After a student saw a James Bond movie he asked, "James Bond had a girlfriend in the movie and her name was Christmas. He said at one point, 'I have to go, Christmas only comes twice a year' - I think that was sexual, was it?"
That was a great question for him to ask. I said, "Yes, it was sexual, you were right to think so." Then we went on to explain orgasms and slang terms for orgasms in that class.

This class sat silent.

I said, "OK, we have to define 3 things before we begin Puberty from Head to Toe."

A hand goes up, "What is 69?"

"Great question, thanks for asking." I turn to the board, nod at the yin yang, and begin a rather similar drawing.