Grades 7-9
OWL curriculum provides a sexuality education program for youth that models and teaches caring, compassion, respect, and justice. This holistic program moves beyond the intellect to address the attitudes, values, and feelings that youth have about themselves and the world.
Unlike many other sexuality curricula currently available, this program is comprehensive and progressive. In an inclusive and developmentally appropriate manner, it addresses sensitive topics that are typically excluded. Although the curriculum was developed by the Unitarian Universalist Association and the United Church of Christ, this volume is completely secular and free of specific religious doctrine or reference. However, the underlying values of the program reflect the justice-oriented traditions of both denominations.
Maintaining the OWL values and assumptions established in the first edition, the second edition introduces new content, activities, perspectives, language, and resources for today’s young teens. New topics include body image, social media/internet, bullying/bystander responsibilities, and consent education. Popular activities and discussion topics remain, and users have more options for alternate activities and multi-media resources to accommodate their participants’ specific needs and interests. A facilitation guide offers suggestions for including youth with special needs in OWL programs.
The second edition is comprised of twenty-five ninety-minute workshops in a new order that will make it easier to plan OWL programs that suit participants’ increasing comfort and schedules.