Sex Can Wait: An Abstinence-Based Sexuality Curriculum for High School.

This curriculum, directed primarily to students in grades nine and ten, is a 5-week sexuality education program designed to promote sexual abstinence as the best decision young people can make for themselves. The guide is divided into four general areas of emphasis. Section one, "Knowing Myself," helps students feel good about who they are as individuals and deals with decision making, the establishment of values, and self-esteem. The lessons in section two, "Understanding Sexuality," address gender roles (sexual identity), male and female reproductive anatomy and physiology (including conception), sexually transmitted disease, and teen parenting. The third section, "Relating to Others," is devoted to helping students understand the impact of both verbal and nonverbal messages and develop the skill of assertive and constructive communication. This section contains three units on communication skills, relationships, and sexual decision making. The final section, "Planning My Future," is designed to help students discover a sense of connection between their decisions and behavior and life outcomes. It contains two units on goal setting and life planning. Teaching tips, suggestions for answering student questions, and a family handout consisting of a permission letter, guidelines for talking to preteens about sex and sexuality, and suggested reading material for parents and guardians are provided. Transparency masters, student handouts and a glossary are included. (LL)