Starting in September 2025, Alberta Education is requiring that all school divisions including Chinook’s Edge School Division notify parents about instruction related to subject matter dealing primarily or explicitly with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality.
This notification also provides parents with the option to ‘opt in’ their child for instruction related to the subject matter.
You can expect that your child’s school will provide you with a form appropriate to your child’s grade level. On the form you will be able to choose whether you wish for your child to opt in to the instruction.
Please see below the grade level and curricular topics that you can “opt in.”
Learning outcomes dealing with gender identity, sexual orientation or human sexuality in K-6 Physical Education and Wellness
Grade 3
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Learning Outcome: Students analyze different roles within varied contexts and examine how roles can support the development of talents, virtues, and resilience. |
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Knowledge |
Understanding |
Skills & Procedures |
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Family structures can vary; may include extended family; and may consist of a single parent, a mother and a father, stepparents, two fathers, or two mothers. Families can be intergenerational with many generations residing in one home. Children may spend time between more than one family. Positive role models can inspire individuals to develop personal talents and potential. |
Roles are influenced by family, role models, learning environments, and community. Roles are established and maintained through culture and relationships with people and the land. |
Investigate how personal talents and potential are influenced by role models. |
Grade 4
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Learning Outcome: Students explain how development and puberty are connected. |
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Knowledge |
Understanding |
Skills & Procedures |
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Puberty is a period of rapid growth and progression from childhood through adolescence to adulthood. Puberty marks the beginning of the life stage of adolescence. A growth spurt can be an indicator of the beginning of puberty. Puberty prepares the human body for reproduction. Puberty prepares people to function as adults, with healthy
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Puberty can allow individuals to take on new roles and responsibilities and experience new learning opportunities. |
Recognize that puberty marks the beginning of a new life stage as individuals move toward becoming mature adults. |
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Differences in physical characteristics can occur during and after onset of puberty. The progression of puberty can be experienced in unique ways. Physical changes in puberty include
Puberty can result in social- emotional changes, such as
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Puberty is a process of maturation that includes physical and social- emotional changes. Awareness of changes that happen in puberty can support mental health and emotional well-being. |
Describe changes that happen during puberty. |
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Some cultures have different celebrations that recognize the transition into puberty. |
Cultural traditions can mark the transition from childhood to adulthood. |
Explore how transitions into puberty are acknowledged in different cultures. Recognize that First Nations, Métis, or Inuit entry into puberty can be accompanied by ceremony that supports the ongoing transition into adulthood. |
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Adolescents may have questions about puberty and its associated changes. Puberty can be supported using credible sources, such as
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Sources of support are available for adolescents during puberty. |
Identify credible sources in the community to support individuals through the changes that occur during puberty. |
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Changes to hygiene practices include
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Puberty can require changes in personal hygiene practices. |
Identify how personal hygiene practices may need to be modified as the body changes. |
Grade 5
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Learning Outcome: Students connect puberty to the capacity for human reproduction. |
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Knowledge |
Understanding |
Skills & Procedures |
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Each part of the human reproductive system serves a specific function. The human reproductive system and other body systems are interconnected. Human reproduction occurs when a sperm cell and egg cell join together (fertilization) and implant in the uterus (implantation). |
Well-being is supported through knowledge and awareness of human reproduction. Human reproduction includes a sequence of biological processes. |
Identify the components of the human reproductive system. Describe the functions of the components of the human reproductive system. |
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Changes in puberty include
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Puberty signals changes in a person’s reproductive capability. |
Describe how physical changes during puberty affect reproductive capability. |
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Menstruation is the monthly cycle that prepares the body for a possible pregnancy. The female reproductive system includes ovaries that contain egg cells. Ovulation occurs when an egg releases from an ovary. Hormonal changes regulate the menstrual cycle and ovulation. The egg travels to the uterus and is released with the lining of the uterus, if unfertilized. Fertilization is more likely to occur at a specific point in the menstrual cycle. The male reproductive system includes testicles that produce sperm. |
Puberty is often associated with the processes of menstruation and sperm production. |
Describe the processes of menstruation and sperm production. |
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Sperm travels through the vas deferens and is combined with other fluid to produce semen. |
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Positive health practices during puberty include
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Positive health practices during puberty support a healthy reproductive system. |
Identify positive health practices during puberty. |
Grade 6
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Learning Outcome: Students investigate human reproduction from fertilization to birth. |
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Knowledge |
Understanding |
Skills & Procedures |
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Pregnancy can occur as a result of sexual intercourse. Pregnancy can be confirmed by a test. Abstinence means choosing not to have sexual intercourse. Any sexual activity always requires consent. Self-control can support decision making related to human reproduction. Different types of birth control can have varying levels of effectiveness and risks. Sexual activity can expose individuals to sexually transmitted infections and blood-borne infections. Some birth control measures can lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections and blood- borne infections. |
Pregnancy is a natural human process. Abstinence is the most effective way to prevent pregnancy. Sexual activity without consent is sexual assault and can have physical, emotional, social, and/or legal consequences. Birth control and natural family planning can help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. |
Identify effective ways to prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. |
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Factors that influence reproductive decisions include
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In Canada, individuals have the right to make decisions about reproductive health and can decide if, when, and how often to reproduce. |
Examine factors that can influence decisions related to reproductive health. |
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The length of a pregnancy is approximately 40 weeks and is divided into three stages called trimesters. A child born before 37 weeks of pregnancy is called a pre-term birth. Fetal development during pregnancy can be adversely affected by
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Fetal development occurs in stages throughout a pregnancy. |
Examine fetal development in each of the three trimesters. Examine factors that can adversely affect fetal development. |
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Supportive health practices during pregnancy include
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Supportive health practices can enhance reproductive health, a healthy pregnancy, and safe childbirth. |
Identify health practices that support a healthy pregnancy. |
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Reproductive health information can be provided by credible sources, such as
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Credible sources can provide accurate information on reproductive health and support healthy reproductive decisions. |
Identify credible sources of reproductive health information. |
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There are diverse traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs regarding reproductive health. |
Traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs can affect understandings of human reproduction. |
Consider ways that human reproduction can be influenced by traditional, cultural, and religious beliefs. |
Teaching human sexuality in Grades 7-9 Health and Life Skills
Grade 7
Specific learning outcomes:
- W–7.3 examine the human reproductive process, and recognize misunderstandings associated with sexual development
- W–7.12 identify the effects of social influences on sexuality and gender roles and equity; e.g., media, culture
- W–7.13 examine the influences on personal decision making for responsible sexual behaviour
- W–7.14 examine abstinence and decisions to postpone sexual activity as healthy choices
Grade 8
Specific learning outcomes:
- W–8.3 recognize and accept that individuals experience different rates of physical, emotional, sexual and social development
- W–8.7 determine the signs, methods and consequences of various types of abuse; e.g., neglect, physical, emotional, sexual abuse
- W–8.12 identify and describe the responsibilities and consequences associated with involvement in a sexual relationship
- W–8.13 describe symptoms, effects, treatments and prevention for common sexually transmitted diseases; i.e., chlamydia, HPV, herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B/C, HIV
- W–8.14 identify and describe basic types of contraceptives; i.e., abstinence, condom, foam, birth control pills
Grade 9
Specific learning outcomes:
- W–9.3 apply coping strategies when experiencing different rates of physical, emotional, sexual and social development; e.g., positive self-talk
- W–9.7 evaluate implications and consequences of sexual assault on a victim and those associated with that victim
- W–9.12 determine “safer” sex practices, e.g., communicate with partner, maintain abstinence, limit partners, access/use condoms/contraceptives properly
- W–9.13 identify and describe the responsibilities and resources associated with pregnancy and parenting.
- W–9.14 develop strategies that address factors to prevent or reduce sexual risk; e.g., abstain from drugs and alcohol, date in groups, use assertive behaviour
New Curriculum grade 7-9
Teaching human sexuality in draft Grades 7-9 Physical Education and Wellness
To be updated once draft curriculum is approved.
Grade 10 or 11
Teaching human sexuality in High School Career and Life Management (CALM)
Each specific outcome is supported by bulleted examples. These bulleted examples do not form part of the required course but are provided as an illustration of how the specific outcomes might be developed.
Specific learning outcome: P11. examine the relationship between commitment and intimacy in all its levels
- identify expectations and commitments in various relationships
- examine a range of behaviours for handling sexual involvement
- describe how personal values play a role in relationships
- explain the role of trust and ways to establish trust in a relationship
- develop strategies for dealing with jealousy
Specific learning outcome: P12. examine aspects of healthy sexuality and responsible sexual behaviour
- explain the ongoing responsibility for being sexually healthy
- examine a range of behaviours and choices regarding sexual expression
- describe sexually healthy actions and choices for one’s body, including abstinence
- analyze strategies for choosing responsible and respectful sexual expression
- describe the ways in which personal values influence choices
- assess the consequences of being sexually active