Our Middle School Sequence consists of 9 lessons designed for classrooms in grades 6-8. These lessons are available to any teacher for free. Please email karissa@sassmm.org for access.
We recommend students receive 3 SASSMM lessons per school year and begin at the start of the sequence. If students have not yet had any SASSMM lessons in middle school, they will start the sequence at Lesson 1.
We ask for students to receive the sequence in order and without skips, as lessons are designed to scaffold in a trauma-informed way that aligns with SASSMM’s teaching standards. Please consult with your local SASSMM educator regarding any questions or requests.
Each lesson can be adapted for in-person or virtual teaching and runs 40-60 minutes long.
For questions about the curriculum or to schedule with SASSMM, please email Education Program Coordinator Karissa at education@sassmm.org or your local SASSMM educator.
We recommend students receive 3 SASSMM lessons per school year and begin at the start of the sequence. If students have not yet had any SASSMM lessons in middle school, they will start the sequence at Lesson 1.
We ask for students to receive the sequence in order and without skips, as lessons are designed to scaffold in a trauma-informed way that aligns with SASSMM’s teaching standards. Please consult with your local SASSMM educator regarding any questions or requests.
Each lesson can be adapted for in-person or virtual teaching and runs 40-60 minutes long.
For questions about the curriculum or to schedule with SASSMM, please email Education Program Coordinator Karissa at education@sassmm.org or your local SASSMM educator.
Lesson 1: Personal Boundaries
At SASSMM, we view boundary education as a core piece of sexual violence prevention. This foundational lesson provides an overview of personal boundaries that will be essential for students moving through the rest of the middle school sequence. In this lesson, students will have the opportunity to reflect on their own personal boundaries and learn to recognize when their own/someone else’s boundaries may have been crossed in a physical and/or emotional way.
- Major concepts: Personal boundaries, boundary crossing, bodily autonomy
- Grade(s): 6-8
- View lesson handout
Lesson 2: Consent
This lesson introduces consent as a method of understanding and respecting boundaries. The lesson demonstrates how and why consent is important in many contexts including but not limited to friendships and romantic relationships. Students will have the opportunity to practice recognizing consent through a series of activities.
- Major concepts: Consent, boundary crossing
- Grade(s): 6-8
- View lesson handout
Lesson 3: Gender Norms
Increased gender equity is a protective factor in preventing sexual violence. In this lesson, students will explore gender through a socio-cultural lens by learning about gender stereotypes and how they affect people of all identities. Students will also examine how gender norms can lead to boundary crossing.
- Major concepts: Gender stereotypes & norms, gender binary, gender policing
- Grade(s): 6-8
- View lesson handout
Lesson 4: Relationships
This lesson focuses on relationships through the lens of boundaries and consent. Students will assess how power dynamics affect relationships and the ability to consent. Students will also consider how boundaries can vary across different relationships.
- Major concepts: Relationships, power dynamics, consent
- Grade(s): 7-8
Lesson 5: Sexuality
This lesson introduces sexuality concepts in a neutral, affirming way before the next module teaches about sexual harm, which promotes differentiation between consensual sexual activity and sexual violence. Understanding sexuality from a socio-cultural perspective helps students think critically about identity, norms, and violence. Students will explore social ideas and stigmas about sexuality and terms related to sexual orientation.
- Major concepts: Sexuality, sexual orientation, sexual activity, shame & stigma
- Grade(s): 7-8
Lesson 6: Sexual Harassment
This lesson draws upon core topics from the previous lessons to increase understanding of sexual harassment as a form of boundary crossing. Students will learn a definition of sexual harassment and apply their knowledge in a scenario activity. Students will also be provided with resources and learn about what they can do if they or someone they know is being harassed.
- Major concepts: Sexual harassment, consent, boundary crossing
- Grade(s): 7-8
Lesson 7: Sexting & Digital Safety
This lesson focuses on the importance of consent in all digital interactions. Through activities and discussion, students will examine key concepts from previous lessons (such as boundaries and harassment) in the context of online spaces and sexting behaviors. Students will also explore resource options, including support around non-consensual image dissemination.
- Major concepts: Virtual boundaries and consent, sexting, digital safety, boundary crossing
- Grade(s): 7-8
