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Pearl and Thistle/Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: GROUP USE
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  • $127

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: GROUP USE

Presentation materials for use with groups. Includes videos and slide decks, parent info flyers and worksheets. Perfect for teachers and homeschooling groups. Teach your high school class about the science of anatomy and reproduction in conversation with Catholic theological concepts about the dignity and "Language" of the body!
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Let's see... your Catholic school needs you to do both a "sex ed" and "TOB" program, but you feel like you're looking for a unicorn.

All you want is one program that can cover:

  • male & female anatomy

  • the menstrual cycle (like-- the whole menstrual cycle, not just periods!)

  • the basics of sexual reproduction (without graphic details!)

  • how teens can learn to understand and care for their bodies responsibly (without promoting premarital "safe sex")

  • what the Church teaches about marriage, sex, and family planning and how these values are actually reflected in our biology

Really... is that too much to ask? (I don't think so!!)

But you can't find that. So you cobble together programs from all sorts of different places and it's just a lot of work.

But what if I told you that your lesson plan could already be DONE?

My mother was a high school biology teacher in a Catholic school.

I have seen first-hand how much PREP and after-hours work teachers pour into their students. And I know how frustrating it can be when it feels like the right resource just isn't there... and you buckle down to create it yourself. 

So if you've been searching for something which can explain to your high-schoolers:

  • the facts about biology, sex, and reproduction; and

  • God's plan for marriage and respect for the dignity of our bodies...

then look no further!

Introducing...

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens

Your complete lesson plan KIT!

I'm Christina Valenzuela:

I've been an NFP instructor for over a decade, and have two formal theological degrees plus almost almost twenty years of pastoral ministry and teaching experience.

But more importantly, I'm a parent.
And I know that our Church bears the responsibility for providing these resources for families.

I know that parents are the primary educators of their children, but not all parents are equipped to provide this specific sort of education at home, so they need the help of a trustworthy partner in education: their Catholic school.


What are some of the key values in this presentation?

Science + Faith

Our Catholic faith understands that there is a single Truth, reflected in both science and theology. Therefore, understanding biology  can and should be used as an aid in our faith life.

Straight Talk

Our children need information that is neither vague nor graphic. Images used give detail but are not explicit. Proper biological terminology and concepts are presented factually alongside Church teaching.

Body Literacy: Sooner

This series introduces the concept of "body literacy" and gives a gentle invitation for teen girls to learn how to chart their cycles for health (not for fertility!) Our young people need a safe space to learn about this aspect of their bodies, because many women's reproductive health issues begin to manifest in these teens years. Introducing the concept can prime our teens (boys and girls!) to be more familiar with and use NFP in the future.

  • $127

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: GROUP USE

Yes! This is just what I need

Let's take a closer look at what the lesson covers:

SIX VIDEOS- approx. 45 MINUTES TOTAL

You can use these videos directly in class, OR use them to hone your own script to deliver the slide deck. 

Intro + Male & Female Anatomy

6 minutes

In this video, Christina introduces the concept of "body literacy" and sets the stage for exploring human anatomy and biology as a means to better understand our selves as creatures, which leads to deeper knowledge of the Creator. 

Christina provides a brief overview of female and male reproductive anatomy in humans.

The Menstrual Cycle

10 minutes

In order to understand how male and female anatomy work together for fertility, it is first necessary to do a deeper dive in the process of the menstrual cycle. 

This video gives an overview of how four key hormones work throughout the cycle, and explains why ovulation is the most important event (not a period bleed!). Examples of healthy variations of cycles are explained, as well as a quick look at anovulatory cycles. 

Reproduction & Fertility

9 minutes

Christina explains the process of sexual reproduction in humans, and explains that human couples go through periods of natural fertility and natural infertility during the course of the menstrual cycle. 

This video introduces the concept of a "fertile window" relative to ovulation, which is aided by the female production of cervical fluid. 

The Language of the Body

8 minutes

Because humans are made in the image and likeness of God, our bodies are an important way that we express the Truth of who we are. JPII reminds us that our bodies speak a special form of language, which we did not author-- and that Truth is communicated in a unique way through sexual intercourse between married persons.

Body Literacy

8 minutes

Christina offers an overview of the daily changes men may observe as a result of testosterone, and an explanation of changes a woman might observe throughout the course of a cycle. Because of these changes, menstrual cycles are also considered a vital sign of girls' health.

Church Teaching on Family Planning

8 minutes

Christina now shows how the Church uses knowledge about anatomy and physiology, in conversation with theological concepts about the dignity of the body and the Sacramentality of marriage, to articulate a moral teaching on family planning.

She introduces the difference between methods of natural family planning which respect the natural rhythms of fertility and infertility in the life of a married couple, and other methods which do not. NFP allows us to speak the Truth with our bodies, and encourages us in the virtue of mutual chastity.

  • $127

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: GROUP USE

Yes! Sign us up

FAQs

How do I involve parents?

This lesson plan kid includes a sample letter to parents, which invites them to OPT IN to this program for their teens. If parents choose not to have their child participate, you can tell them that the SAME program is available for use at home, if they so desire!

If you feel that offering this as a group program is NOT the right fit for your school, please contact me about bulk pricing for individual family programs.

What age is this best for?

This video series is recommended for sophomore year or older, but freshmen who have already taken a foundational biology course would be able to follow the lessons well. 

Is this only for girls?

I have many programs which are specifically for girls, but this is not one of them! Our teenage boys also need to learn about the workings of the female system, and to understand that both men and women can become body literate and can work together in the context of planning a family *naturally* within marriage.

How long do I have to access these materials after I purchase?

Purchasing this lesson kit means that you have lifetime access (as long as Pearl & Thistle is around!) to provide the videos and have the PDF resources for your class. 

Can I download these videos?

All videos hosted through this platform are not available for download. In order to play them, you will need access to the internet. 

Can I show these videos in a group?

Yes! This is for classroom use, but that can include any other group format like a scouting troop, parish, or other shared education format.

Does this presentation talk about different types of birth control?

This presentation mentions "contraceptive or barrier methods" as distinct from Natural Family Planning, but does not go into detail about any of the drugs, devices, or procedures.

Does this presentation explain how to use NFP?

This presentation explains the underlying concepts of NFP: namely, that there is an identifiable window in which a married couple can get pregnant, and that looking for biomarkers for ovulation can help that couple try to conceive or postpone pregnancy. The logistics of how to do this are not explained.

  • $127

Anatomy, Reproduction, & Fertility for Catholic Teens: GROUP USE

Let's go!

Detailed Contents

Resources for Parents

Before providing this presentation to a class, it is highly recommended that you send a parent letter explaining the program for parents. This section includes a sample parent letter in the form of a .docx, as well as a handout which offers a quick review of the menstrual cycle in case you'd like to give the parents a little "refresher," and some sheets explaining the mission and offerings of Pearl & Thistle more broadly, so they can research on their own.
Sample Parent-Guardian letter.docx
  • 17.9 KB
Review of the Menstrual Cycle.pdf
  • 1.55 MB
Flyer for Parents
  • 3.27 MB

Presentation Materials for Teachers

This section includes a full slide deck if you would like to deliver the presentation on your own OR use them for handouts, plus additional handouts to accompany learning along with the videos. 
Part One Slides.pdf
  • 12.9 MB
Part Two Slides.pdf
  • 13.2 MB
Reproductive Anatomy Handout.pdf
  • 1.27 MB
Reproductive Anatomy Handout- KEY.pdf
  • 1.36 MB
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle- WORKSHEET.pdf
  • 494 KB
Phases of the Menstrual Cycle- KEY.pdf
  • 686 KB
Speaking the Truth- Reflection Guide.pdf
  • 501 KB

Videos- Part One

This section provides an overview of reproductive anatomy, the menstrual cycle, and understanding reproduction and fertility. 
Intro + Male and Female Reproductive Anatomy
  • 7 mins
  • 297 MB
The Menstrual Cycle
  • 10 mins
  • 227 MB
Reproduction and Fertility
  • 8 mins
  • 242 MB

Videos- Part Two

In these videos, we put what we know about biology directly in conversation with our Catholic faith. We think about JPII's concept of the Language of the Body as it relates to body literacy, and survey the Church's moral teachings on family planning. 
The Language of the Body
  • 8 mins
  • 318 MB
Body Literacy
  • 8 mins
  • 192 MB
Church Teaching on Family Planning
  • 9 mins
  • 449 MB