Essentials for Survival · SHS1 General Science

Lesson notes

Learning Objectives

Indicator: 1.2.1.LI.2 - Explain the female menstrual cycle and show how that can be used to address reproduction-related issues.

By the end of the lesson, learners can:

Describe the four phases of the female menstrual cycle and state the approximate days on which each phase occurs in a typical 28-day cycle.
Calculate the likely day of ovulation for a given cycle length using the counting-back method.
Identify the fertile window (days during which pregnancy is most likely) for a given cycle.
Explain how knowledge of the menstrual cycle and ovulation can be used to support family planning, address fertility concerns, and promote menstrual hygiene.
Use an ovulation calculator or a printed cycle chart to determine safe and unsafe days for conception.

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Curriculum details

Strand: Processes for Living (Strand 2)
Sub-strand: Essentials for Survival (2.1)
Content standard: 1.2.1.CS.2 - Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of reproduction and their application in addressing sexually related societal problems. 1.2.1.LO.2 Illustrate the principles of reproduction. 1.2.1.LO.3 Design Possible solutions to address sexually related societal problems.
Indicator: 1.2.1.LI.2 - Explain the female menstrual cycle and show how that can be used to address reproduction-related issues.
Suggested placement: Semester 1, Week 17 (Week 17 of the year)
Our suggestion, laid out in curriculum order across three terms of twelve weeks. NaCCA does not fix the week, so follow your school's scheme of learning.
Source document note: The official curriculum document has a fault in this entry, so the curriculum text above is transcribed exactly as printed:

content standard text - p.36: this sub-strand prints 3 learning outcomes (1.2.1.LO.1, 1.2.1.LO.2, 1.2.1.LO.3) against 2 content standards, so 1.2.1.LO.3 has no content standard of its own; it is carried here with its competencies rather than dropped
Curriculum reference: NaCCA curriculum document, p. 36

Exemplars (from the NaCCA curriculum)

- Put learners into mixed-ability groups and guide them to calculate the menstrual cycle using pictures/charts/videos.
- Using Talk for Learning strategies and reflections from Internet resources/books, compare global best practices of menstrual hygiene.
Teaching and Learning Resources:
- Videos
- Pictures
- Charts/pictures and models of the reproductive system of male and female humans.
- Videos of the reproductive system of mammals.
- Internet resources such as https://www.webmd.com/baby/healthtool- ovulation-calculator;
- https://www.unfpa.org/resources/adolescent-sexual-
- Vegetative parts of plants such as corm, rhizome, and-reproductive-health; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lBHRwkZPNac; Videos showing propagation in plants, projectors and
- Journals
- Books
- Charts/videos/pictures of the menstrual cycle.
- Internet resources such as (https://www.webmd.com/baby/healthtool- ovulation-calculator; https://www.always.com/en- us/period-calculator)
- Flowers, fruits and seeds
- suckers, stem cuttings and bulbs.
- other ICT resources.
Assessment (1.2.1.AS.2). The document marks these depth-of-knowledge levels for this indicator: Level 3 Strategic reasoning.