Reproductive Systems

Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

SPECIFIC EXPECTATIONS
Students will be able to: Explain the male and female reproductive systems as they relate to fertilization. Distinguish between the facts and myths associated with menstruation, spermatogenesis, and fertilization. Identify sources of support with regard to issues related to healthy sexuality (e.g., parent/guardians, doctors).

MATERIALS
Teaching Materials and Activities Helpful Hints for Teachers Teaching Segment Overheads #1 Ground Rules for Puberty Classes #2 Male Reproductive System (side view) #3 Male Reproductive System (side view) - Answers #4 Female Reproductive System (side view) #5 Female Reproductive System (side view) - Answers #6 Female Reproductive System (front view) #7 Female Reproductive System (front view) - Answers #8 Menstrual Cycle #9 Fertilization / Conception Appendices #1 - A Male Reproductive System (side view) #1 - B Male Reproductive System (side view) - Answers #1 - C Female Reproductive System (side view) #1 - D Female Reproductive System (side view) - Answers #1 - E Female Reproductive System (front view) #1 - F Female Reproductive System (front view) - Answers #1 - G Menstrual Cycle #1 - H Fertilization / Conception #1 - I Grade 7 Puberty Review #1 - J Grade 7 Puberty Review - Answers #1 - K Reproductive System Word Search #1 - L Reproductive System Word Search - Answers Assessments and Evaluation: The quiz (see Appendix #1 - I and #1 - J).
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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

HELPFUL HINTS FOR TEACHERS

Embarrassment is still common and the students may feel uncomfortable or embarrassed even though they have had Growth and Development classes previously. In Grade 7, the changes talked about in Grade 6 are now happening, which makes the subject matter personal. As well, students desire to impress people and their increased awareness of others leads to embarrassment regarding the topic. 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 sex in a respectful way. Knowledge levels may vary from student to student. Often Grade 7 students may have learned a lot about these topics from friends or the media. Unfortunately, those sources are not always accurate. As a result, it is the teachers responsibility to ensure that all information presented is accurate and current. Ensure students that it is ok not to know everything and to ask questions if there is any confusion. Have time allotted for the students to ask questions. Question boxes are also an excellent method of student inquiry.

TEACHING SEGMENT 1. Introduction of Ground Rules

Discuss the classroom rules using Ground Rules for Puberty Classes (see Overhead #1).

2. Review of Puberty and Anatomy (Male)

Distribute Male Reproductive Systems, Side View worksheet to students (see Overhead #2 and Appendix #1 - A). Have students label diagram and discuss the answers as they relate to the male reproductive system (see Overhead #3 and Appendix #1 - B). Use terminology below to briefly describe the names and functions of each organ. Encourage students to give you the answers rather than you telling them. The numbers listed below correspond with numbers on the diagram.

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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

(1) Testicles There are two testicles, which are located outside of the male body and are the size of walnuts. There are two functions, which include the production of testosterone, and the production of sperm. First function - Testosterone is a male hormone and causes the changes of puberty; Increased body hair Increased perspiration Acne Growth spurt Broader shoulders Increased muscle Deeper voice Genitals grow bigger Second function - Sperm (Spermatogenesis) Are males contribution to making a baby if they join (fertilizes) a females egg Are microscopic in size Are shaped like a tadpole Are able to swim by lashing their tails Need a temperature lower than body in order to survive Production continues throughout a males lifetime (2) Scrotum The sac that holds the testicles. (3) Penis Spongy, muscular organ. Very sensitive to feelings, touch and thought. Made up of special cells that fill up with extra blood. Gets bigger, harder and stands out from the body, which is called an erection. Can happen from birth but after puberty starts happening more frequently. An erection does not mean an ejaculation must occur erection will go away on its own. (4) Bladder Stores urine. Note the asterisk part of the urinary system (included to better understand the relationship between the systems). (5) Urethra Tube from the bladder through the penis.
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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

Tube through which urine travels from the bladder to outside the body. After puberty it is also possible to release semen through it.

(6) Vas Deferens Tube from the testicles, up into the body, to the urethra. Since there are two testicles, there are two vas deferens. Both join with the urethra under the bladder. Tube through which sperm travel out of testicles to the urethra. (7) Seminal Vesicle Two small sac-like structures which produce part of the thick fluid (semen) that contains sperm. Located above the prostate gland. (8) Prostate Gland Donut shaped gland under the bladder which is the 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. Sperm + fluid = semen. The release of semen from the body is called ejaculation. (9) Anus Opening through which feces is released from the body This means males have two openings at the bottom of their bodies: the urethra and the anus. Note the asterisk part of the digestive system (included to understand STIs).

3. Review of Puberty and Anatomy (Female)

Distribute Female Reproductive Systems, Side View worksheet to students (see Overhead #4 and Appendix #1 - C). Have students label diagram, and discuss the answers as they relate to the female reproductive system (see Overhead #5 and Appendix #1 - D). Use terminology below to briefly describe the names and functions of each organ. The numbers listed below correspond with numbers on the diagram. Encourage students to provide answers rather than being told.

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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

(1) Ovary The diagram shows only one ovary, however females have two. One on each side of the lower abdomen. Size and shape of an almond. Has two functions which include the production of Estrogen and Progesterone, and stores Eggs. First function Estrogen and Progesterone are female hormones that cause the changes of puberty. Increased body hair Increased perspiration Acne Growth spurt Broader hips Breast development Menstruation Second function Stores eggs (ova). Female is born with a supply of immature eggs. After puberty she begins to release them once a month which is called ovulation. Can contribute to the creation of a baby if joined with a males sperm cell which is called fertilization. (2) Fallopian Tube Diagram shows one, however there are two. Have the diameter of spaghetti. Passageway from uterus to ovary. Where egg travels when released from the ovary. (3) Uterus Very low in abdomen. Size and shape of a fist. Place where unborn baby grows. Prepares for a pregnancy each month by forming a thick, nutrientrich lining of blood and tissue. (4) Cervix Neck of uterus. Dilates during labour to allow birth. (5) Vagina Internal passageway between uterus and outside the body. Lined with mucous membrane. Normal to have a small amount of discharge. Able to expand.
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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

Passageway through which baby leaves mothers body (birth canal). Passageway through which menstrual blood leaves the body. The place where the penis goes during vaginal intercourse.

(6) Clitoris Located above urinary opening, where inner folds of skin come together. Very sensitive, provides pleasure to the female. (7) Vulva External genitals. Consists of outer and inner folds of skin (labia). Fatty pads (mons veneris) and the clitoris. Protects the internal sexual organs. (8) Bladder Stores urine. Note the asterisk Part of the urinary system (included to understand STIs). (9) Urethra Tube through which urine travels from the bladder to outside the body. Note the asterisk Part of the urinary system (included to understand STIs). (10) Anus Opening through which feces leaves the body. This means that females have three openings at the bottom of their bodies: the urethra, the vagina & the anus. Note the asterisk Part of the digestive system (included to understand STIs).

4. Menstruation and Ovulation

Discuss menstruation and ovulation Distribute worksheet using one overhead from the following two options: Overhead #6 and Appendix #1 - E - Female Reproductive System (front view). Ask students to (quickly) write in the names of the parts on the diagram. For answers (see Overhead #7 and Appendix #1 - F).

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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

Overhead #8 and Appendix #1 - G - Menstrual Cycle. Proceed as per content below

Menstruation Bleeding through the vagina. Coming from the uterus. As a result of shedding the lining of the uterus. Remember the uterus prepares for a pregnancy each month by forming a thick lining of blood and tissue. The amount of blood lost is about 3 tablespoons. Takes approximately 57 days to leave the body. Once the lining is completely shed, a new one begins to grow. Usually happens at intervals of 4 weeks, but varies a lot, particularly during first 2 years of menstruation. Usually starts about 2 years after the start of breast development. Stops temporarily during a pregnancy - lack of a period is an early sign of pregnancy. Stops permanently between the ages of 45 & 60 years (menopause). Once stopped not able to become pregnant. Ovulation The release of a mature egg from an ovary into the fallopian tube. Happens in between a females menstrual periods, approximately 14 days before the start of her next period. An involuntary process that she usually doesnt feel, but it is the time of the month she may get pregnant. Once the egg is in the fallopian tube it is possible for a sperm, if present, to fertilize it (more on this later). If the egg is not fertilized (and most of the time it is not) the egg dissolves in about 48 hours.

5. Fertilization and Conception

Discuss fertilization and conception using the Fertilization and Conception materials (see Overhead #9 and Appendix #1 - H).

Fertilization Union of one sperm and one egg. The process takes place in the fallopian tube. Happens when the male ejaculates semen into the vagina during intercourse, then the sperm contained in that semen swim up through the cervix, the uterus and into the fallopian tube. If this happens around the time of the females ovulation there is, or soon will be, an egg in the fallopian tube. One sperm will penetrate it. This is the moment of fertilization, also called conception. Many
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Topic 1 Reproductive Systems

Grade 7 Growth and Development

sperm might be around but all other sperm present in the fallopian tube will be repelled. Two cells become one cell which is neither a sperm nor an egg, but rather a zygote. The zygote starts to divide and travel to the uterus. Several (7or 8) days later it is a small cluster of cells called an embryo. This embryo imbeds itself in the lining of the uterus that has been thickening for this very occurrence. This is called implantation. The female does not menstruate because the lining is needed to sustain the pregnancy. It nourishes the developing embryo. An early sign of a pregnancy is a missed period. It is only when fertilization does not occur that the lining is shed resulting in a period.

6. Puberty Review

A puberty review quiz is included which can be used at the beginning or the end of the class (see Appendix #1 - I). Answers can be found in (Appendix #1 - J).

7. Additional Materials

A Reproductive Systems Word Search is provided for optional use (see Appendix #1 - K).

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