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
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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 teacher’s 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
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Discuss the classroom rules using “Ground Rules for Puberty
Classes” (see Overhead #1).
2. Review of Puberty and Anatomy (Male)
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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.
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 male’s contribution to making a baby if they join (fertilizes) a
female’s 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 male’s 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
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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)
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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.
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
male’s 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
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Grade 7 – Growth and Development
Passageway through which baby leaves mother’s 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
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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).
Topic 1 – Reproductive Systems
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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 5–7 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 female’s menstrual periods, approximately
14 days before the start of her next period.
• An involuntary process that she usually doesn’t 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
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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 female’s 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
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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
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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
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A Reproductive Systems Word Search is provided for optional use
(see Appendix #1 - K).