
S
Go to “S” lessons: K-3rd grade / 4th-5th grade / 6-8th grade / 9-12th grade
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Safe Sex
Practices that reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancies, safe sex includes the use of barrier methods (e.g., condoms), regular testing for STIs, and communication about sexual health. Masturbation, being a solo sexual activity, carries no risk of pregnancy or STIs.
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Safe Touch
Refers to physical contact that is appropriate, consensual, and respectful of personal boundaries. Teaching children and individuals about safe touch can foster healthy relationships and prevent abuse.
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Salmonella
Salmonella is a bacterial infection often transmitted through contaminated food or water. Symptoms may include diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps, and severe cases can lead to hospitalization. Prevent salmonella infection through proper food handling and hygiene practices.
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Scams
Fraudulent schemes or deceptive practices designed to trick individuals into giving away money, personal information, or valuable assets. Recognizing common scams and vigilant consumer behavior contributes to safeguarding against various types of scams.
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School
A place where students go to get an education and learn important skills like teamwork, negotiation, problem-solving, and communication.
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Science
A systematic enterprise that seeks to understand the natural world through observation, experimentation, and evidence-based reasoning.
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Science of Attraction
The science of attraction explores the psychological and biological factors influencing human attraction and mate selection. It considers factors such as physical appearance, personality, scent, and evolutionary instincts in shaping attraction.
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Screen Time
Refers to the total amount of time individuals spend in front of screens, including devices like smartphones, computers, and televisions. Excessive screen time can impact physical and mental health, leading to issues such as eye strain and sleep disturbances.
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Scrotum
A pouch of skin and muscle that houses and protects the testes. The scrotum provides an environment conducive to sperm production, maintaining a temperature slightly lower than the body's core.
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Seatbelts
Safety devices in vehicles designed to secure passengers in their seats and reduce the risk of injury during sudden stops, collisions, or accidents. Seatbelts work by preventing occupants from being thrown forward or out of the vehicle.
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Secondary Sexual Characteristics
Physical features that are influenced by hormones and develop during puberty. For some this includes facial hair, deepened voice, and increased muscle mass, while others may develop breasts and widened hips.
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Secondhand Smoke
The smoke emitted from the burning end of a cigarette or exhaled by a smoker. It contains harmful chemicals and poses health risks to individuals exposed to it.
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Self Control
The ability to manage one's impulses, emotions, and behaviors. Developing self-control is important for making responsible decisions and maintaining positive relationships with others.
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Self Efficacy
Belief in one's ability to successfully accomplish tasks or overcome challenges, self efficacy influences how people approach goals, tasks, and challenges, with higher self-efficacy often leading to greater motivation, persistence, and resilience.
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Self Esteem
An individual's overall evaluation and perception of their own worth and capabilities. Self esteem influences mental well-being, resilience, and the ability to navigate life's challenges with confidence.
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Senator
An elected or appointed member of a legislative body, often representing a specific geographic area or constituency. Senators participate in the legislative process, debating and voting on laws and policies that impact their constituents. The role of a senator varies across different political systems.
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Senses
Physiological mechanisms that allow organisms to perceive and respond to their environment. The primary senses include sight, hearing, taste, touch, and smell, each serving specific functions in gathering information.
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Serving Size
Refers to the recommended portion of a food or beverage product indicated on its packaging. Serving sizes provide information about the amount of nutrients and calories in a standard serving, aiding individuals in making choices for a balanced and healthy diet.
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Sexual Attraction
Physical and situational attraction one feels towards another person based on their gender or other factors. A person may feel sexual attraction to someone they find appealing, regardless of whether that person aligns with their long-term sexual orientation.
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Sexual Harassment
Unwanted and inappropriate sexual advances, comments, or behavior that creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment. Sexual harassment can occur in various settings, including workplaces, schools, and public spaces, and is a violation of individuals' rights to protection, security, and safety.
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Sexual Health
Physical, emotional, and social well-being related to sexuality and reproductive health. Sexual health involves respectful and consensual relationships, access to sexual education and healthcare, and the prevention of sexually transmitted infections.
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Sexual Offense
The perpetration of an illegal or non-consensual sexual act(s) that violates the rights and autonomy of the victim. It includes crimes such as sexual assault, rape, and child molestation, and perpetrators face legal consequences.
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Sexual Orientation
An individual's emotional, romantic, or sexual attraction to other people. It is often categorized into terms like heterosexual (attracted to people of the opposite gender), homosexual (attracted to people of the same gender), and bisexual (attracted to people of both genders), among others.
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Sexual Violence
Any non-consensual act of a sexual nature that causes physical or psychological harm. Sexual violence includes sexual assault, harassment, and abuse, and legal consequences exist for perpetrators.
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Sexually Transmitted Infections
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also commonly called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), are infections transmitted through sexual activity. Common examples include chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. Preventive measures include safe sex practices, regular testing, and vaccination when available.
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Shigella
Shigella is a bacterial infection causing diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps. It spreads through contaminated food, water, or contact with infected individuals. Proper hygiene, handwashing, and safe food practices help prevent shigella infection.
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Shingles
A painful rash caused by the reactivation of the virus that causes chickenpox. Vaccination and antiviral medicines can help prevent it or reduce its severity, while managing stress also supports prevention.
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Sickle Cell Disease
A genetic disorder affecting red blood cells, causing them to assume a sickle or crescent shape. This abnormal shape can lead to various complications and can be incredibly painful.
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Sight
The ability to perceive and interpret visual information through the eyes. It involves detecting light, shapes, colors, and movement, which the brain processes to create images and understand the surrounding environment.
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Skeleton
The skeleton is composed of bones and forms the body's framework. It provides a supportive structure and protection for internal organs.
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Skin
The body's largest organ, the skin serves as a protective barrier against external elements and plays a role in regulating temperature.
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Sleep
A natural and essential state of rest, sleep supports physical and mental recovery, cognitive function, and emotional balance. Establishing good sleep hygiene practices promotes quality sleep.
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Sleep Hygiene
Healthy habits and practices that promote good, restful sleep including a consistent sleep schedule, creating a comfortable sleep environment, avoiding caffeine or heavy meals before bed, and limiting screen time in the evening.
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Small Intestine
The small intestine is part of the digestive system, where the majority of nutrient absorption occurs. It plays a key role in breaking down and absorbing nutrients from food.
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Smallpox
A contagious and potentially deadly viral infection that spreads quickly and causes painful pustules (pox) all over the body. Through vaccination efforts, smallpox infection was declared eliminated worldwide on May 8, 1980, a significant public health achievement.
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Smell
Smell, or olfaction, is the sense of detecting odors through the nose. The sense of smell contributes to the enjoyment of food, detecting danger, and influencing emotions.
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Snacks
Small portions of food eaten between meals. Choosing healthy snacks, like fruits or nuts, contributes to a balanced diet.
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Sneezing
A reflex action that expels air from the nose to clear irritants or pathogens, sneezing is a natural defense mechanism against respiratory infections. Covering the mouth and nose during sneezing helps prevent the spread of germs.
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Social Determinants of Health
Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) are the conditions in which individuals are born, grow, live, work, and age and influence health outcomes. SDOH includes socioeconomic status, education, employment, social support, and access to healthcare.
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Society
A group of people who live together in a community, sharing common laws, customs, values, and institutions. Society includes interactions and relationships among individuals and groups, shaping culture, behavior, and the structure of daily life.
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Sodium
An essential electrolyte and mineral that maintains fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle contractions within the human body. Excessive sodium, often associated with high-salt diets, can contribute to health issues like hypertension and cardiovascular diseases.
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Sovereignty
The supreme authority or power of a state or governing body to govern itself without external interference. Sovereignty involves the autonomy and independence of a nation or entity in making decisions, enacting laws, and managing its internal affairs.
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Sperm
Male reproductive cells produced in the testes. Sperm consist of a head, which contains genetic material (DNA), a midpiece that provides energy for movement, and a tail (flagellum) that allows the sperm to swim towards an egg for fertilization. Sperm combines with an egg (ovum) to form a fertilized embryo.
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Spine
The spine, or backbone, is the central support structure of the body, comprised of a series of bones called vertebrae. Beyond providing structural support, the spine houses and protects the spinal cord, a bundle of nerves that connects the brain to the rest of the body.
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Spinal Cord
A bundle of nerves encased within the spine, serving as a communication highway between the brain and the peripheral nervous system. The spinal cord transmits signals that control the body's ability to move, feel, and respond to stimuli.
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Spleen
An organ that filters blood, removes damaged blood cells, and stores platelets. The spleen is important for immune system function.
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Stomach
A muscular organ situated in the upper abdomen, the stomach receives food from the esophagus and mixes it with digestive juices to break down complex substances into simpler forms. Stomach contractions aid in the mechanical breakdown of food before it moves to the small intestine.
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Stool
Stool is the solid waste product expelled from the digestive system during bowel movements. Changes in stool characteristics can indicate digestive issues or underlying health conditions.
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Stress
The body's physiological response to challenges or threats. Chronic stress can negatively impact physical and mental health. Stress management techniques are variable and sometimes require professional interventions.
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Substance Abuse
The harmful or hazardous use of psychoactive substances, including alcohol and drugs. Substance abuse can lead to addiction, health problems, and social issues.
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Sugar
A simple carbohydrate found naturally in foods and added to many processed products for sweetness. Excessive sugar intake can contribute to health issues such as obesity and dental problems.
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Sun Safety
Practices to protect the skin from harmful UV radiation, reducing the risk of skin cancer and sunburn. It includes wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and seeking shade.
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Surface Area
The total outer area of a structure, like the skin or the inner lining of an organ, where interactions such as absorption, exchange, or protection happen. For example, the small intestine has a large surface area because of its folds, villi, and microvilli, which help it absorb nutrients more efficiently.
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Sustainable Development Goals
The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations to address various challenges and promote sustainable development. The goals cover areas such as poverty, health, education, gender equality, and environmental sustainability.
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Swimming
A popular recreational activity and a life skill that promotes physical fitness and cardiovascular health. Learning to swim and practicing water safety prevents individuals from drowning.
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Syncope
A temporary loss of consciousness or fainting, typically caused by a brief interruption of blood flow to the brain.
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Syphilis
A sexually transmitted infection (STI) caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis progresses through different stages and can lead to severe health problems if left untreated.
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