GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2
RATES OF PUBERTY CHANGES
Les s on 2
GRADE
8
LEARNER OUTCOME1 W-8.3:
Recognize and accept that individuals experience different rates of physical,
emotional, sexual and social development.
MATERIALS:
1. HANDOUT: How Appearance Changes in Puberty
2. ANSWER KEY: How Appearance Changes in Puberty
3. SLIDE: Different Rates of Growth
INTRODUCTION:
The second lesson plan in this series provides students with an opportunity to
closely examine the physical, emotional, sexual and social changes that will occur
during puberty, and to recognize and accept that these changes may occur at
different rates for different people.
APPROACHES/STRATEGIES:
A. GROUND RULES (5-10 min)
Ensure ground rules are established before beginning this lesson. For classes that
have already established ground rules, quickly reviewing them can promote a
successful lesson.
B. FEELING GOOD AT HOME FOLLOW UP (5 min)
Students may share their discoveries about handling the emotions covered in the
handout.
1. Teachers can verify that students completed one of the assignments by visually
checking to ensure that the student either collected the signature of a parent or
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2
guardian or that the student completed a journal entry. You may consider collecting
completed handouts and awarding a prize to one student by picking one out of the
pile of signed forms.
2. Use the following questions to debrief the Feeling Good at Home handout.
· What did you learn about handling difficult emotions between people?
· What did you learn about the impact of a sincere
B. HOW APPEARANCE CHANGES IN PUBERTY
(40-45 min)
Students will identify what kind of physical changes to
expect during puberty and to understand these changes
happen at different rates for different people and this is
perfectly normal.
This activity is meant to generate discussion about
different body types and to ensure that students are not
to judge each other based on appearances. Puberty is
something that everyone goes through but our
individual experiences may be different from one
another. It is important that students are sensitive to
these changes and always treat others with respect. We
have no control over how puberty will change our
bodies and the misinterpretation of these body changes
You may choose to
provide students with
a list of words used to
fill in the blanks to
simplify or speed up
this step.
1. Distribute the How Appearance Changes in Puberty handout.
2. Give students time to complete the handout. You may choose to have them work
in pairs or in small groups to encourage discussion. Encourage the use of critical
thinking skills versus guessing.
3. As a class, review the handout using the How Appearance Changes in Puberty
Answer Key. As you review, allow students to fill in words or answers that they
missed in their handout. Allow time for questions and discussion. Emphasize the
following themes as you discuss the material:
· The age range for puberty changes is extremely varied. All are normal.
Use the Different Rates of Growth slide to illustrate this.
· Differences are not “good” or “bad.” They are simply different.
4. Debrief this activity using the following questions:
· What did you learn that surprised you during this activity?
· What did you learn that could help you feel good about yourself during
this activity?
· How can we help people around us to feel good about themselves?
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2
QUESTION BOX (10min)
Address questions from last class. Have students fill out questions and address them
next class.
SELF REFLECTION
During the lesson, were:
·
·
Ground rules being followed?
Good practices established regarding group work and discussion?
What will you change for future classes with this group?
What will you change for future use of this lesson?
STUDENT ASSESSMENT
During the lesson, did students:
Knowledge:
·
Identify what makes them feel good/bad/better about themselves?
Skills:
·
·
List ways that they can help others feel better about themselves?
List ways that they can recognize self-worth?
Attitudes:
·
·
Understand the impact of a sincere compliment?
Understand that it is normal for teens to have different rates of puberty
development?
1. Alberta Education. (2002). Health and life skills guide to implementation: Kindergarten to grade
9. Retrieved from http://education.alberta.ca/media/352993/pos.pdf
2. Adapted from Canadian Federation for Sexual Health. (2005). Beyond the basics: A sourcebook
on sexuality and reproductive health education. Ottawa. Retrieved from
http://www.cfsh.ca/About_CFSH/Publications/Beyond-the-Basic-Sourcebook.aspx
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 HANDOUT: APPEARANCE CHANGES
HOW APPEARANCE CHANGES DURING
PUBERTY
Dear Puberty Expert,
I know there is a lot to learn about how kids’ bodies grow during puberty. I have some ideas, but I don’t
know if they are right or true for everybody. I know kids get taller, but I’m pretty sure they grow in other
ways too. Some kids in my class are already growing. I heard you had a class on this, and you might
have the answers to some of my questions.
1. Does everybody go through puberty sometime? Yes____ No____
2. Will growth be more than just getting taller? Yes____ No____
3. Is everybody supposed to change at the same time? Yes____ No____
4. Do boys and girls change at the same time? Yes____ No____
·
·
GIRLS change: sooner____ same____ later____
BOYS change: sooner____ same____ later____
5. So it’s normal for many girls to be taller than many boys at our age? Yes____ No____
6. I heard someone say my friend was having a “growth spurt.” What’s that?
Growth spurts are when you grow ______ than ever before. During puberty, instead of growing about 2
inches per year, you may grow 4 inches or more per year. You may hear your family say, “You are
growing out of your clothes too fast!” But, you can’t help it!
7. Is it better to start puberty sooner, or better to start later?
Better sooner____ Better later____ Not better either way____
8. Why doesn’t everybody start puberty at the same time?
How and when we grow is not something anyone has control over. It is ____________ before birth.
Whether you start your growth spurt earlier or later it will not affect how big or small you will be in the
end.
9. What if I’m really early or late in starting puberty? I don’t want to be different.
Being different in body changes _____ something that can be judged as ______ or ______. No one
has control over when or how these changes occur. It is like the colour of your eyes, or how fast your
hair grows. It is not something anyone should ever have to feel bad about. Even if it would be easier to
change at the same time or in the same ways as your friends, differences are a __________ and
__________ part of life.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 HANDOUT: APPEARANCE CHANGES
10. What if someone teases me?
It may mean they don’t understand __________, or they may be being mean. You could try
__________ or even educating them. Or you could try telling a __________ and getting their support. If
that doesn’t help, you should ask a trusted adult for help and support.
11. Please tell me all the details about puberty changes? Will I grow everywhere all at once?
Some parts of your body will grow __________, while other parts grow __________. It is different for
everyone, but here is the usual order:
·
·
·
First feet. Feet can be full-size long before you are!
Then arms and legs.
Then back bone and other bones.
12. What exactly will make me “fill out?” What should I expect?
It is __________ to gain weight from increasing __________ and bone mass during puberty. In later
teen years, you will also gain some __________.
13. Isn’t fat bad? Yes____ No____
Many people have __________ ideas about body fat. Sometimes body fat has been thought of as
“bad”, but this is not always true, and it is not __________. People are naturally pre-disposed with
different _______________. When something in nature is “pre-disposed,” it is like eye colour—it is not
in anyone’s control. Eating well and being active is most important. No matter what people think, one
body type is not better than another - just different. Saying someone is “bigger” or “smaller”, “shorter” or
“taller”, should only be a way to __________a body type, never a way to __________a person as
“good” or “bad”, as if they were doing something “right” or “wrong”. This would be the same as judging
someone because of their eye or skin colour. It is not correct or fair. Because so many people have
incorrect ideas about body types we will be talking more about this in later lessons.
14. Girls develop earlier than boys. Are there other differences for girls?
Yes____ No____
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 HANOUT: CHANGES FOR GIRLS
PUBERTY CHANGES FOR GIRLS
1. How much can a girl gain during puberty?
While everyone is different, it is normal for girls to gain body fat during puberty. Girls may gain ____
pounds or more in one year. This is a normal part of growing up.
2. Why do girls gain more body fat than boys?
This is the beginning of the normal, healthy rounding-out of a girl’s body as she grows into a young
woman. Nature ____________ most adult women to carry more body fat than most boys and men. This
is part of a woman’s special design for bearing children, and it should not be confused with being
overweight. It is __________ and __________ for a woman to have a more rounded figure than a man.
Puberty is when this begins.
3. What does a girl’s body do with the added fat?
At first a girl may develop a layer of fat all over, like an extra layer under the skin. Then it will begin to
be more obvious in certain parts: __________, __________, and __________.
4. Do girls get taller before they gain weight or rounder first?
Either way. Everyone is different. Some may get rounder first, and only later gain height. Others may
get quite tall and thin first. Some girls will remain very thin all their lives, whether they are taller or
shorter. Despite what people think a very thin body __________ the most common or natural body
shape for a woman.
5. Are there any other changes in girls that boys don’t share?
Girl’s pelvic bones (just above her hips) very gradually begin to __________. This is essential for a
woman to be capable of having a baby when she is an adult. Wider pelvic bones are one of the reasons
why women normally have bigger hips than men.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 HANOUT: CHANGES FOR BOYS
PUBERTY CHANGES FOR BOYS
1. Aren’t men usually bigger than women? How can boys begin developing later than girls?
Once outward growth begins, boys quickly catch-up. Many boys eventually become __________ and
more __________ than girls.
2. Is it normal for boys to gain body fat during puberty too?
Often____ Sometimes____ Rarely____
Some boys become fatter before they get taller. However, as boys grow taller, they often stretch out
into a taller, slimmer body. While there are natural differences, most fully developed men carry
__________ body fat than most women.
3. What other changes occur for boys?
Later in puberty, __________ can become wider and eventually more muscular. However, boys usually
do not __________ their bodies until later teen years. Then, they will begin to look less like boys and
more like men.
4. Anything else?
More than half of all boys will have some __________ swelling in puberty. This is normal and does not
mean he is developing breasts. It will go away in a few months. Boys need to know not to worry about
this.
5. What happens to boys’ voices during puberty?
When a boy’s voice box has grown larger, usually by age 14 or 15, his voice becomes __________.
This may happen somewhat suddenly or in a gradual, less noticeable way. Some boys experience a
__________ of their voice as they go through this change. Their voices may become high-pitched or
“squeaky” unexpectedly.
6. Isn’t that embarrassing? What if a boy gets teased?
There is no reason to be embarrassed, because it is simply part of growing up and is completely
normal. This is something that all boys will go through and it is mean to tease someone when it is
happening to them.
7. Aren’t there some other outward changes for both boys and girls during puberty?
Yes____ No____
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 HANOUT: CHANGES FOR BOTH
CHANGES IN PUBERTY FOR BOTH
1. What are some things in common for both boys and girls?
Boys and girls grow hair in new places: first __________ and __________ hair, then on arms and legs,
and for boys, eventually ___________ and __________ hair. Also, two glands become more active: oil
and ___________.
2. What about the glands?
When oil glands are more active, you may notice your hair gets oily faster. Also, many kids have some
pimples or skin acne when they are further along in puberty. When sweat glands are more active you
may notice you perspire more. Also, perspiration may have a more __________ odour. When oil and
sweat glands become more active, kids usually need to bathe or shower and wash their hair more
often. You may want to ask a parent or guardian for deodorant.
3. It sounds like this puberty business goes on for a while. I guess it doesn’t happen overnight.
That’s __________.
4. It also sounds like different parts of the body grow earlier or later—even more or less than
other parts. If some bones grow faster than others, or I’m adding body mass before I get taller—
or the other way around—won’t I look kind of funny or out of proportion?
Yes____ No____ Maybe ____
You will not look funny! It is important to understand that the way you grow in puberty may not be
even. For example, your arms and legs may grow long, while your backbone is still short. Your feet may
be as big as an adult’s, even 2 or 3years before the rest of you grows taller. Your ears and chin may
grow before the rest of your face.
For a while you will look very different than how you will end up. One day you may look in a mirror and
enjoy seeing the changes. Another day, you may not be so crazy about them.
It may help you to know that many kids feel this way at one time or another. Most kids feel a little
awkward or clumsy when some parts of their bodies are growing faster than other parts. Remember,
you are not a finished product yet! That is why teasing about body changes is especially unfair and
hurtful.
This is not a time to judge or worry about your physical appearance. It is a time to be amazed at the
many wonderful changes your body is going through as you are growing up.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
Objective: Students will identify what kind of physical changes to expect during puberty and to
understand these changes happen at different rates for different people and this is perfectly normal.
This activity is meant to generate discussion about different body types and to ensure that students are
not to judge each other based on appearances. Puberty is something that everyone goes through but
our individual experiences may be different from one another. It is important that students are sensitive
to these changes and always treat others with respect. We have no control over how puberty will
change our bodies and the misinterpretation of these body changes can contribute to issues with body
image and self esteem.
Structure: Large group activity with questions and discussion as material is presented.
Time: 40 minutes
Instructions:
1.
Distribute the Write a Book handout “How Appearance Changes in Puberty”.
2.
Read the Book Text Key “How Appearance Changes in Puberty” slowly and carefully. As
you read the words that are underlined will be filled in by students on their handouts.
3.
Allow time for questions and discussions as you go.
Emphasize the following themes as you discuss the material:
·
The age range for puberty changes are extremely varied.
·
Differences should not be seen as “good” or “bad”. They are simply different and
perfectly normal.
HOW APPEARANCE CHANGES OVER PUBERTY
BOOK TEXT KEY
Dear Puberty Expert,
I know there is a lot to learn about how kids’ bodies grow during puberty. I have some ideas but I don’t
know is they are right or true for everybody. I know kids get taller, but I’m pretty sure they grow in other
ways too. Some kids in my class are already growing. I heard you had a class on this, and you might
have the answers to some of my questions.
1. Does everybody go through puberty sometime? Yes No
2. Will growth be more than just getting taller? Yes No
As you develop you will also be filling out.
3. Is everybody supposed to change at the same time?
Everyone changes at different times, according to their own inner “body clock” or pre-determined
schedule.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
4. Do boys and girls change at the same time? Yes No
·
·
GIRLS change: sooner same later
BOYS change: sooner same later
5. So it’s normal for many girls to be taller than many boys at our age? Yes No
6. I heard someone say my friend was having a “growth spurt.” What’s that?
Growth spurts are when you grow faster than ever before. During puberty, instead of growing about 2
inches per year, you may grow 4 inches or more per year. You may hear your family say, “You are
growing out of your clothes too fast!” But, you can’t help it.
7. Is it better to start puberty sooner, or better to start later?
Better sooner Better later Not better either way
8. Why doesn’t everybody start puberty at the same time?
How and when we grow is not something anyone has control over. It is predetermined before birth.
Whether you start your growth spurt earlier or later will not affect how big or small you will be in the end.
9. What if I’m really early or late in starting puberty? I don’t want to be different.
Being different in body changes is not something that can be judged as good or bad. No one has
control over when or how these changes occur. It is like the colour of your eyes, or how fast your hair
grows. It’s not something anyone should ever have to feel bad about. Even if it would be easier to
change at the same time or in the same ways as your friends, differences are a normal and necessary
part of life.
10. What if someone teases me?
It may mean they don’t understand puberty, or they may be being mean. You could try ignoring or
educating them. Or you could try telling a friend and getting their support. If that doesn’t help, you
should ask a trusted adult for help and support.
11. Please tell me all the details about puberty changes? Will I grow everywhere all at once?
Some parts of your body will grow faster, while other parts grow slower. It is different for everyone, but
here is the usual order:
· First feet. Feet can be full-size long before you are!
· Then arms and legs.
· Then back bone and other bones.
12. What exactly will make me “fill out?” What should I expect?
It is normal to gain weight from increasing body fat and bone mass during puberty. In later teen
years, you will also gain some muscle.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
13. Isn’t fat bad? Yes No
Many people have incorrect ideas about body fat. Sometimes body fat has been thought of as “bad”,
but this is not always true, and it is not realistic. People are naturally pre-disposed with different body
types. When something in nature is “pre-disposed,” it is like eye colour—it is not in anyone’s control.
Eating well and being active is most important. No matter what people think, one body type is not better
than another - just different. Saying someone is “bigger” or “smaller”, “shorter” or “taller”, should only be
a way to describe a body type, never a way to judge a person as “good” or “bad”, as if they were doing
something “right” or “wrong”. This would be the same as judging someone because of their eye or skin
colour. It is not correct or fair. Because so many people have incorrect ideas about body types we will
be talking more about this in later lessons.
14. Girls develop earlier than boys. Are there other differences for girls? Yes No
LET’S TALK ABOUT CHANGES FOR GIRLS
1. How much weight can a girl gain during puberty?
While everyone is different, it is normal for girls to gain body fat during puberty. Girls may gain 20
pounds or more in a year. This is a normal part of growing up.
2. Why do girls have more body fat than boys?
This is the beginning of the normal, healthy rounding-out of a girl’s body as she grows into a young
woman. Nature intended most adult women to carry more body fat than most boys and men. This is
part of a woman’s special design for bearing children and it should not be confused with being
overweight. It is natural and healthy for a woman to have a more rounded figure than a man. Puberty
is when this begins.
3. Where does the extra body fat go?
At first a girl may develop a layer of fat all over, like an extra layer under the skin. Then it will begin to
be more obvious in certain parts: breasts, hips, thighs.
4. Do girls get taller before they gain weight, or rounder first?
Either way. Everyone is different. Some may get rounder first, and only later gain height. Others may
get quite tall and thin first. Some girls will remain very thin all their lives, whether they are taller or
shorter. Despite what people think, a very thin body is not the most common or natural shape for a
woman.
5. Are there any other changes in girls that boys don’t share?
Girl’s pelvic bones (just above her hips) gradually begin to widen. This is essential for a woman to be
able to be capable of having a baby when she is an adult. Wider pelvic bones are one of the reasons
why women normally have bigger hips than men.
LETS TALK ABOUT CHANGES FOR BOYS
1. Aren’t men usually bigger than women? How can boys begin developing later than girls?
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
Once outward growth begins, boys quickly catch-up. Many boys eventually become taller and more
muscular than girls.
2. Is it normal for boys to gain body fat during puberty too?
Often Sometimes Rarely
Some boys gain body fat before they get taller. However, as boys grow taller, they often stretch out
their fatness into a taller, slimmer body. While there are natural differences, most fully developed men
carry less body fat than most women.
3. What other changes occur for boys?
Later in puberty, shoulders can become wider and eventually more muscular. However, boys usually
do not fill out their bodies until later teen years. Then, they will begin to look less like boys and more
like men.
4. Anything else?
More than half of all boys will have some breast swelling in puberty. This is normal and does not mean
he is developing breasts. It will go away in a few months. Boys need to know not to worry about this.
5. What happens to boys’ voices during puberty?
When a boy’s voice box has grown larger, usually by age 14 or 15, his voice becomes deeper. This
may happen somewhat suddenly or in a gradual, less noticeable way. Some boys experience a
“cracking” of their voice as they go through this change. Their voices may become high-pitched or
“squeaky” unexpectedly.
6. Isn’t that embarrassing? What if a boy gets teased?
There is no reason to be embarrassed, because it is simply part of growing up and is completely
normal. This is something that all boys will go through and it is mean to tease someone when it is
happening to them.
7. Aren’t there some other outward changes for both boys and girls during puberty?
Yes No
CHANGES FOR BOTH BOYS AND GIRLS
1. What are some things in common for both boys and girls?
Boys and girls grow hair in new places: first pubic and underarm hair, then on arms and legs, and for
boys, eventually face and chest hair. Also, two glands become more active: oil and sweat.
2. What about the glands?
When oil glands are more active, you may notice your hair gets oily faster. Also, many kids have some
pimples or skin acne when they are further along in puberty. When sweat glands are more active you
may notice you perspire more. Also, perspiration may have a more grown-up odour. When oil and
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 CHANGES IN PUBERTY ANSWER KEY
sweat glands become more active, kids usually need to bathe or shower and wash their hair more
often. You may want to ask a parent or guardian for deodorant.
3. It sounds like this puberty business goes on for a while. I guess it doesn’t happen overnight.
That’s right.
4. It also sounds like different parts of the body grow earlier or later—even more or less than
other parts. If some bones grow faster than others, or I’m gaining body mass before I get
taller—or the other way around—won’t I look kind of funny or out of proportion?
Yes No Maybe
You will not look funny! It is important to understand that the way you grow in puberty may not be
even. For example, your arms and legs may grow long, while your backbone is still short. Your feet may
be as big as an adult’s, even 2 or 3years before the rest of you grows taller. Your ears and chin may
grow before the rest of your face. For a while you will look very different than how you will end up. One
day you may look in a mirror and enjoy seeing the changes. Another day, you may not be so crazy
about them.
It may help you to know that many kids feel this way at one time or another. Most kids feel a little
awkward or clumsy when some parts of their bodies are growing faster than other parts. Remember,
you are not a finished product yet! That is why teasing about body changes is especially unfair and
hurtful. This is not a time to judge or worry about your physical appearance. It is a time to be amazed at
the many wonderful changes your body is going through as you are growing up.
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GRADE 8 PUBERTY LESSON 2 SLIDE: DIFFERENT RATES OF GROWTH
BODY TYPES
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