Introduction
In order to devise a good method of instruction to any group of learners, the instructor/teacher should first understand the needs of these learners. The teacher should do this by analyzing the group of learners in terms of their age, beliefs background knowledge and the likely impact the subject of instruction will have on them (Blackburn, 2007).
It is only through this knowledge that the instructor will know the best method to apply when giving instructions to the learners. This is because the instructor identifies with these learners and gets to know, first hand, the plight of these learners. He will know what they (learners) know and what they do not know; thus, will give instructions in a comprehensive manner (Wiggins, 2005).
Topic of Instruction
The unit of instruction for this instruction process is Human Sexuality to children aged between 12 and 13 years. This is a relevant topic since, at this age, children start exploring on matters regarding their (human) sexuality. They have a lot of unanswered questions.
However, they feel embarrassed to discuss these issues, and teachers, parents, guardians and other elders need to provide a good environment to discuss these issues with kids (Bolin & Whelehan, 2009). Therefore, the kids will know a lot about their sexuality. They will develop in to adults who are mature sexually, socially and emotionally.
Specific /Projected needs of the learners
As already stated, these groups of learners are very curious, and they need to be taught to deal with issues of human sexuality. First, these learners need to feel appreciated and wanted. At this stage, these children can develop in isolation if they are not shown affection by other people. They are developing emotionally, and the instructor should have this in mind so as to avoid situations that could hurt these kids’ emotional development.
The kids need to be constantly monitored in terms of their interactivity with other kids. They should be persuaded to relate with other kids; this way, they will develop an appreciation for other people, and they will also appreciate themselves in the process.
The learners in this age bracket are also undergoing a lot of physiological changes, and these changes need to be explained to them. Girls of this age bracket start developing breasts, and this is a development that could make them embarrassed. They also start to have menstrual cycles, and unless this is explained to them, they will become very disturbed.
Young people of both genders at this age also start to develop pubic hair, and they will become disturbed if proper explanation is not given. Therefore, the topic on Human Sexuality should be taught to these students. It will help these students to be confident in their development by knowing that they are developing in the proper means.
At this age, these young people also start developing attraction towards members of the opposite sex. Unfortunately, these people find it hard to talk about this with elders, and they may end up engaging in irresponsible sexual escapades. This could expose them to many dangers including STI’s (including HIV) and teenage pregnancies.
Therefore, it is of paramount importance that these kids are taught on good ways of managing their sexual urges. The instructor should clarify (to these children) that it is not wrong to develop sexual urges (in fact, it is healthy), but he should teach these kids to be responsible enough to control their sexual urges (Bolin & Whelehan, 2009).
This knowledge is one of the most sought by these children; the instructors should impart this knowledge in a comprehensive manner. This will ensure that these children grow in a sexually responsible manner.
Impact of these needs to the instruction and curriculum
These needs have a great impact to the instruction and curriculum that is designed for these children. This is because the curriculum should take into consideration the stage of development of these people. It is only in doing this that the curriculum will achieve its objective of instructing these children in a proper manner.
Therefore, the curriculum designers will use features that are popular with these people to come up with the curriculum. For instance, the curriculum developers will include stories that uplift the self image of people in this age.
Heroes in the stories designed for these children are peers of the same age, and children can identify with these heroes (Good, 2008). Therefore, the concept of instruction contained in such a story will be engraved in the minds of these learners; they will not forget. Therefore, the instruction objectives will be met easily.
The curriculum will also entail instructions that encourage children of the two genders to interact. The curriculum should encourage communication; thus, they should be taught communication skills. The curriculum will do this by organizing outside activities that will encourage interaction among students. The environment outside the classroom is very effective in fostering this interaction.
Conclusion
The topic on Human sexuality has a lot of appeal to the kids of this age. This will make them attentive to the instructor as s/he teaches this lesson. The topic has a live long impact on these children, and they will appreciate the things taught in the lesson. Therefore, the instructions and the curriculum should be devised to cater for the needs of these children.
References
Blackburn, B. (2007). Classroom Instruction from A to Z: How to Promote Student Learning. New Jersey: Eye on Education.
Bolin, A. & Whelehan, P. (2009). Human Sexuality: Biological, Psychological, and Cultural Perspectives. New York: Taylor & Francis.
Good, T. (2008). Looking in Classrooms. North Carolina: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.
Wiggins, G. & McTighe, J. (2005). Understanding by design. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Merrill Prentice Hall.