1. What is it about How does it all work and what is the history behind it?

2. Valentines Day Valentine's day is a jumble of traditions, beliefs, and celebrations that has come to us from a distant past. It is celebrated on February 14th because it was upon this day that Saint Valentine was supposed to have been executed for performing marriages. It was a strange thing to happen to a priest who fervently believed in doing what he thought was right, helping couples to consecrate their love. The story goes back the 2nd Century A.D. when Christians were persecuted by the Roman government. Christian marriages and other ceremonies were absolutely forbidden. The legend has it that Claudius II was trying to raise an army in Rome. It was his belief that married men would not make good soldiers because they would always be worried about their wives and children back home. To raise men for the army he forbid young men to marry. The punishment for any priest who would perform a marriage ceremony would be death!

3. Because he so fervently believed in love and the idea that marriage was a holy state, St. Valentine performed marriage ceremonies, placing his allegiance to God before the Government in Rome. The good saint was caught performing a marriage and was hauled into prison and after a trial before the emperor, beheaded. In the 1600s giving gifts to sweethearts came into fashion. First it was flowers, and later (for the wealthy), jewelry. Giving a young lady a pair of gloves on Valentine's Day was thought to be the equivalent of a proposal of marriage. In the 1700s card makers saw an opportunity and began making cards especially to be used on Valentine's Day. People wrote each other poems, and those who were not of a literary bent could purchase a book chock full of Valentine's poems for a penny, and copy one off. The practice of sending cards and letters on Valentine's Day really took off when the cost of postage fell to a penny per letter. Because of the close association of Great Britain with the United States, Canada, Australia and a number of other countries, Valentine's Day traditions took off all around the world. Valentine's Day is also celebrated in European countries, including Germany, Austria, and Spain. In Iran it is against the Law to give flowers or cards on Valentine’s Day – which has created a black market full of Red Roses and Cards.

4.  endocrine system A chemical communication system that controls many body functions A group of cells or an organ that secretes a substance  gland A gland that signals other endocrine glands to produce hormones when needed  pituitary gland

5. The Endocrine System and Growth Your endocrine system is responsible for the fast growth you experience during your teen years. endocrine system A chemical communication system that controls many body functions

6. Parts of the Endocrine System The endocrine glands work by responding to signals from the brain or from the pituitary gland. pituitary gland A gland that signals other endocrine glands to produce hormones when needed The pituitary gland is located at the midpoint of the skull, behind the eyes.

7. Hormones The chemicals secreted by the endocrine glands are called hormones. Each hormone has a specific job.

8. What is it about Love? Male Vocabulary  reproductive system The body system containing the organs that make possible the production of offspring The male sex cell  sperm When an internal organ pushes against or through a surrounding cavity wall  hernia When a male’s sperm cell joins with a female’s egg cell  fertilization

9. The Male Reproductive System EpididymisVan DeferensEjaculation Sperm mix with secretions from the seminal vesicles, the prostrate gland, and the Cowper’s gland. Semen is created.

10. What is it about Love? Female Vocabulary  ovulation The release of one mature egg cell each month When the lining material, the unfertilized egg, and some flood flow out of the body  menstruation Hormonal changes that occur in females from the beginning of one menstruation to the next  menstrual cycle

11. The Female Reproductive System Three Functions of the Female Reproductive System Store egg cellsCreate offspring Give birth

12. The Menstrual Cycle If an egg is not fertilized, the uterus lining breaks down and is shed by the body through menstruation. menstruation When the lining material, the unfertilized egg, and some blood flow out of the body