I just had my first go at teaching health class, and let me tell you, it was quite the adventure. Now, I know what you’re thinking, health class can sometimes bring up topics that may make others uncomfortable. But, diving into topics like healthy relationships and sexual health was actually pretty interesting and such an important topic for our grade eights to explore.
One of the strands we delved into was all about gender expression, gender, sexual orientation, and your sex. We talked about how each of us expresses ourselves in unique ways and how important it is to respect and celebrate those differences.
One of the coolest parts of our discussion was all about making others feel included and supported, especially when it comes to gender-related topics. Whether someone is questioning their identity or just needs a friendly ear, being there for each other is key. It’s all about building a community where everyone feels valued and loved for who they are.
And you know what? The timing couldn’t have been more perfect because guess what month it is? That’s right — it’s Pride month! 🏳️🌈 So, we took a moment to reflect on how we can make our school a place where everyone feels welcome and included, regardless of who they love or how they identify.
To spread some extra positivity, we decided to get crafty. Students partnered up and created posters with a positive message about embracing diversity and celebrating Pride month. Then, we plastered it all over the school, spreading those good vibes far and wide. These lessons I took from the OHPEA Health Lessons which are what we are using to direct all of our health lessons and to keep us on track.
I look forward to exploring more topics and connecting them to relevant topics for our students.
