All About Puberty! | Estrogen + Testosterone Edition (Intermediate)
In this eight-part self-paced course, I take a detailed, age-appropriate, and medical approach in teaching learners about hormones, reproductive anatomy, hygiene, reproduction, and what changes to expect during puberty.
Dr. Telisha Tausinga, M.D. (she/her)
Average rating:
4.9
Number of reviews:(1,000)
What's included
8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks
of teacher support1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1-2 hours per week. There will be individual activities such as quiz questions and open-ended questions that learners must respond to as they move throughout the course. Learners will complete a "Time to Climb" activity, where they can choose an avatar to represent themselves as they complete quiz questions and try to make it to the top of the mountain! There are also icebreaker challenges where learners are encouraged to ask parent figures about puberty topics. There will also be optional "Learning links" to outside websites and resources which may be helpful for further learning.Certificate of Completion
Learners are informally assessed by their successful completion of the course module and in their interactions in the Outschool classroom. Certificates of completion are available upon request.Class Experience
US Grade 4 - 7
Intermediate Level
From new hair to new smells, puberty can be overwhelming! And with all these changes, it is easy to feel alone. Not only is it important to talk about the physical changes that come with puberty, but connect with others about going through these situations. In this class, I create a virtual safe space for students to learn, ask questions and discuss important topics about their bodies on an individual level. *Students must be familiar with puberty and sexual education topics in order to get the most out of this course.* This class builds off of material from my, "All About Puberty" beginners courses. In this class, we will go more into detail about puberty changes. Although my other classes are not required to take before this course, learners should be previously exposed to the basics of pubertal changes to get the most out of this course. This content is aimed at learners ages 8-13. However, you know your learner best, and I am more than willing to accommodate younger learners who are ready for this material. *NOTE: Some sections in this course review similar material and slides covered in my beginner's courses, but go more into significantly more detail. Please reach out to me if you have any questions about which of my courses might fit your learner's needs.* COURSE LAYOUT AND TEACHER INTERACTION: This will be a series of eight self-guided Nearpod modules about health topics surrounding both anatomical female and male puberty. Each interactive Nearpod module will include audio annotated slides, mix-and-matching games, drawing activities, Time to Climb multiple choice quizzes, discussion points, and challenges for learners to complete before the next section. Modules will be posted weekly for the course of eight weeks. Learners should expect to spend anywhere from 0.5-2 hours completing each week's materials. I will also be available in the Outschool classroom to answer your learner's questions and guide their learning throughout the course materials. WHAT WE DON'T COVER: This course functions as a precursor to sex education. We do not cover details regarding gender identities and expression, puberty blockers, birth control, masturbation, intimate relationships, sexually transmitted infections, or safe sex practices. However, questions on these topics may potentially be asked by learners. I do my best to answer these questions simply, to open up a dialogue between learners and parent figures in the future. If you have any further questions about the course, please reach out. I look forward to meeting your learners! Dr. Telisha
Learning Goals
Students will further their understanding of puberty and development topics, opening up opportunities for conversations with parent figuresStudents will learn the basics of reproductive biology, sexual intercourse, and consent
Syllabus
8 Lessons
over 8 WeeksLesson 1:
Introduction to Puberty; All About Ovaries
- Parent Figures and Puberty
- Puberty Introduction
- Anatomy (Ovaries) 3 assignments
Lesson 2:
All About Testicles
- Anatomy (Testicles)
- Sex and Gender 2 assignments
Lesson 3:
All About Hormones
- Hormones and the Endocrine System
- Introduction to Biological Sex Development 3 assignments
Lesson 4:
All About Reproductive Biology
- Primary Sex Characteristics
- Reproductive Biology
- Fertility
- What is Consent? 2 assignments
Other Details
Learning Needs
This course is self-paced, where material can be utilized at whatever speed is best for the learner. Most content is presented in an audio format, so learners can listen while looking at visual materials reflected in the slides.
Parental Guidance
In this class, we will be taking a medical approach to puberty. Because of the subject, there will be graphics and discussions on potentially sensitive and triggering topics. Please note that I will take a basic, age-appropriate approach and allow ample opportunities for students to ask questions. Please note that there will be cartoon graphics illustrating anatomy and puberty changes.
Potentially sensitive topics will be covered:
- basic female reproductive anatomy, such as learning to identify a uterus, labia, vagina, and breasts
- physical changes to anatomical female bodies during puberty, such as hair growth, periods, and acne
- appropriate hygiene practices for menstruation, such as tampon/pad application and removal
- basic male reproductive anatomy, such as learning to identify a penis, testicles, scrotum, and prostate
- physical changes to anatomical male bodies during puberty, such as pubic and facial hair growth, ejaculation/erections, and wet dreams
- hormonal changes to the body
- topics surrounding reproductive biology, such as sexual intercourse and consent
This class is meant to create a virtual safe space where students can have productive, informative sessions about how they will be or are currently affected by puberty. I will also be providing resources for appropriate further sex education for parents and students alike.
Pre-Requisites
Learners may benefit from completing my "All About Puberty" Beginners courses before completing this course. However, no prereqs are required, and many learners choose to complete this class as a stand-alone course.
Supply List
Paper and writing utensils for optional note-taking. Learners may also print out the class slides to annotate while completing the module.
Language of Instruction
English (Level: B1)
External Resources
In addition to the Outschool classroom, this class uses:
- Nearpod
Sources
The materials provided in this course are my original curriculum, utilizing a combination of my illustrations and photos from Unsplash, a copyright-free online collection of original photos. Learners will be provided a copy of my original slides. I encourage learners to take notes on these slides throughout the class and only use them personally.
Resources for further puberty education topics will also be provided throughout the course. All sites provided are from reputable scientific organizations such as the Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic, Nemours Health, Sex Positive Families, and more.
Joined April, 2020
4.9
1000reviews
Teacher expertise and credentials
2 Degrees
Doctor of Medicine in Health Professions and Related Programs from University of Utah
Bachelor's Degree in Science from BYU
Puberty is an important and crucial topic for young learners to experience with appropriate guidance. I have taught over 5,000 learners on Outschool using my original puberty curriculum and hope to continue this for many years.
I am currently a resident physician training in plastic and reconstructive surgery. While attending medical school, I completed in-depth courses on human anatomy, biochemistry, pathophysiology, and reproduction. While obtaining my bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, I took opportunities to learn about sexuality, the science of puberty, and human biology through multiple university-level courses. I was also an assistant teacher in a college-level anthropology course for two years, where I taught lectures on topics such as race, gender, identity, and cross-cultural interactions. I also worked as a medical scribe and assistant in an OBGYN office, logging over 1,000 clinical hours while working with patients of all ages.
I have over a decade of educational and clinical experience with sexual education and human biology. With this class, I will use my science, anthropology, and clinical medicine background to provide timely, useful information for learners beginning puberty.
*Although I am a doctor, the information provided in this course is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for medical concerns or conditions.*Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$5
weekly8 pre-recorded lessons
8 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Completed by 106 learners
Ages: 8-13
