Discussion Questions:

1. When can puberty occur?

2. List 3 physical changes that bodies undergo during puberty.

3. What does it mean that sex and gender exist on a spectrum?

4. What is 1 mutual experience that people of any/all sex or gender(s) may share?

Discussion Questions:

1. True or False: Everyone experiences sexual orientation the same way. 

2. What 3 sexual orientations are described in the video? 

3. Do you think that sexual orientation can change over time?

1. Am I Normal? Puberty Explained

2. Is this Normal? Puberty in People with Penises

3. Is this Normal? Puberty in People with Vaginas

4. Is This Normal? Puberty in Intersex and Non-Binary People

The videos highlight the range of experiences people may have, emphasizing that everyone will experience it differently in a way that is unique to their own body.

Discussion Questions:

1. Pick 1 of the 4 videos that sounds most interesting to you (or watch them all!). What are 2 things that you learned?

2. Why do you think the video titles refer to individuals as “People with Penises/Vaginas” instead of girls and boys?

To-Do:

1. As you watch the movie, keep the following guiding question in mind:

   1. What is the purpose and primary function(s) of the human reproductive system?

2. After watching, take the online quiz and save your results.

To-Do:

1. As you read the entry and look at the diagrams, think about the following guiding question:

   1. What are the roles of the reproductive organs in the human reproduction system?

2. After exploring the site, pick 1 reproductive organ diagram to sketch and label.

Discussion Questions:

1. What does Mei’s mom mean by “Did the red peony bloom?” What does her mom bring into the bathroom?

2. Is Mei's mom being supportive? Why or why not?

3. What does Mei turning into a red panda symbolize?

4. How does Mei become a human again?

The puberty-related discussion questions below are pulled directly from the publisher. If your teacher requires this book as ELA anchor text, click here for more guiding questions.

Discussion Questions:

1. “ Why is it so important to the girls to get their periods sooner rather than later? Why do Margaret and Janie buy bras?”

2. “How do Margaret and her friends buy into these stereotypes about how girls should act and look? How and why do some of the boys at school emphasize stereotypical expectations about female bodies? Do you think these stereotypes still exist now? Do you see them in your life and school?”

3. “Margaret emphasizes her desire to be "normal" over and over again… Why do you think she feels this desire so strongly? What do you think she learns about being normal? How does society tend to define normal? How do you define normal?”

To-Do:

1. Read the Introduction, “Lots of Questions.”

2. Read through the table of contents and pick one topic that interests you in each section: "Part 1: What is Sex?," "Part 2: Our Bodies," and "Part 3: Puberty."

3. As you read from your 3 chosen chapters, take notes on the main idea of each section and provide supporting evidence. 

4. Extension: Become an expert on one of your chosen topics. Prepare a poster to share through a classroom gallery walk.

Discussion Questions:

1. Which character do you relate to most in the book - Zai, Mimi, Cooper, or Omar? Why?

2. Why is sex a funny word? What do you think makes kids laugh about the topic?

3. How does the book answer our essential questions? Provide 2-3 pieces of evidence per question.

Discussion Questions:

1. Which experience(s) can you relate to in the book?

2. What is 1 term from the glossary that you learned? Provide a definition in your own words.

3. Who/what are trusted sources you can go to for answers to your puberty questions?

1. How do bodies change–physically, emotionally, and sexually–during puberty?

2. What is gender identity and sexual orientation? How do individuals experience gender & sexuality on a spectrum?

Discussion Questions:

1. What did you learn from these interviews?

2. How do you think the kids and their parents felt having these conversations? Why might they feel that way?

3. Who can you always talk to about puberty?

• Revenge of the Red Club by Kim Harrington

• Planet Middle School by Diana Peterfreund

• Then Again, Maybe I Won't by Judy Bloom

• The Moon Within by Aida Salazar

• Karma Khullar's Mustache by Kristi Wientge

• The Amazing Life of Birds (the twenty-day puberty journal of Duane Homer Leech) by Gary Paulsen

• The Babysitter's Club by Ann M. Martin

As you read, look for answers to the essential questions and record supporting evidence!

Fiction:

• Go with the Flow by Karen Schneemann & Lily Williams

• Gender: A Graphic Guide by Meg-John Barker

• Drama by Raina Telgemeier

• Anya's Ghost by Vera Brosgol

• The New Girl by Cassandra Calin

• Pizza Face by Rex Ogle & Dave Valeza

• Turning Twelve by Kathryn Ormsbee & Molly Brooks

Nonfiction:

• The Period Comic by Florence Igboayaka

• Wait, What?: A Comic Book Guide to Relationships, Bodies, and Growing Up by Heather Corinna & Isabella Rotman

• You Know, Sex: Bodies, Gender, Puberty, and Other Things by Cory Silverberg & Fiona Smyth

  
  

As you read, look for answers to the essential questions and record supporting evidence!

• Will Puberty Last My Whole Life? by Julie Metzger, Robert Lehman & Lia Cerizo

• Puberty is Gross But Also Really Awesome by Gina Loveless & Lauri Johnston

• You-ology: A Puberty Guide for Every Body by Trish Hutchison, Kathryn Lowe, & Melisa Holmes

• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Puberty―and Shouldn't Learn on TikTok by Gemma Hong, Sophie Young & Amelia Pinney

• Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Puberty―and Shouldn't Be Googling by Morris Katz & Amelia Pinney

• The Care & Keeping of You by Valerie Schafer

As you read, look for answers to the essential questions and record supporting evidence!