Body Wonder Teacher Guide
UNIT: SELF-LOVE & STRENGTH
Body Wonder
Discussion & Facilitation Guide • 5th Grade Girls Group
Timing
45 - 60 Minutes total
Flexible pacing allowed
Core Focus
Appreciation & Self-Talk
Function over appearance
Materials
Student Booklet, Crayons
1 set per student
STEP 1
Warm-Up: The Connection Circle (10 Mins)
Goal: Establish safety, trust, and vulnerability among the girls.
Setup: Sit in a circle. Introduce yourself and express why this space is special: a judgment-free zone where we support each other's inner strength.
"Today is about taking a break from how our bodies look to others, and instead celebrating how they help us live, move, laugh, and dream. In this room, we protect each other's feelings."
Prompt: Go around and have each student share their name and one favorite hobby or activity they love to do (e.g., soccer, drawing, dancing, reading).
STEP 2
The Power Shift: Functional Appreciation (15 Mins)
Introduce the concept of Body Appreciation. Explain that our bodies are amazing vehicles/instruments, not just ornaments.
What Our Bodies DO
Focus on movement, senses, and invisible superpowers (healing a cut, fighting off a cold, breathing, thinking).
"Your lungs breathe automatically even when you sleep!"
Sample Discussion Starters
- How does your body help you do your favorite hobby?
- What is an amazing thing your body does without you asking it to?
FACILITATOR SCRIPT PROMPT
"Think about a car. It doesn’t matter if it has shiny gold paint if its engine doesn’t work or its wheels don't spin. Its real beauty is that it can take you on incredible road trips! Our bodies are the same. Society tells girls to worry about the paint job, but today we are celebrating the absolute powerhouse under the hood."
© Body Wonder Facilitator Resources Page 1 of 2
UNIT: SELF-LOVE & STRENGTH
The Inner Dialogue
Reframing Negative Self-Talk • Mindset Reset
STEP 3
The "Best Friend" Standard (15 Mins)
Explain that our mind is constantly talking to us. Sometimes, we say mean things to ourselves that we would never say to a beloved best friend.
Harsh Inner Critic
"My legs are too thick, I look weird in these shorts."
Best Friend Reframe
"Those strong legs let you run incredibly fast and walk up hills!"
STEP 4
Facilitating the Student Booklet (15 Mins)
Distribute the Body Wonder Student Activity Booklet. Guide them through the two key tasks:
1
My Body's Superpowers Map
Encourage artistic labeling. Help them identify 4-5 active abilities (e.g., "hands that play guitar", "ears that listen to my friends"). No aesthetic comments allowed!
2
The Thought Flip Activity
Walk them through reframing negative self-talk into supportive statements. Have them write their own customized "Self-Talk Shield" at the bottom.
Golden Rules for the Educator
- Avoid Look-Based Compliments: Instead of saying "You look beautiful!", try "You have such creative ideas!" or "I love your enthusiastic energy!"
- Model Healthy Talk: Never complain about your own weight, diet, or wrinkles in front of the students. Kids absorb our self-criticisms.
- Gently Redirect: If a student gets stuck on a cosmetic feature (e.g., "I like my eyes because they are blue"), redirect them: "And what beautiful things do those eyes help you see every day?"
© Body Wonder Facilitator Resources Page 2 of 2
Body Wonder Activity Booklet
MY BODY WONDER JOURNEY
Body Wonder
My Amazing Strengths & Superpowers
Name
Date
Our bodies are not ornaments to be looked at—they are amazing instruments to explore the world!
Use this map to celebrate everything your body CAN DO.
🖐️ My Creative Hands & Arms
What do your hands and arms let you create, build, throw, write, hold, or hug?
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🏃♀️ My Powerful Legs & Feet
How do your legs and feet let you run, jump, dance, swim, walk, climb, or stand strong?
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🧠 My Curious Brain & Heart
Think about how your mind dreams up ideas, solves tricky puzzles, feels deep joy, and cares for your friends.
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🗣️ My Voice, Senses & Smile
What amazing songs, stories, sights, tastes, and comforting sounds does your body let you experience?
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Made with kindness and appreciation. Page 1 of 2
MY BODY WONDER JOURNEY
The Thought Flip
How to turn harsh whispers into kind support.
Sometimes our mind has a "Mean Whisper" that criticizes how we look. We can protect ourselves by doing a Thought Flip. Read the example, then rewrite the other two with your own best-friend voice!
Mean Whisper 😢
"My stomach isn't flat like the models in the magazines."
Best-Friend Reframe 💖
"My stomach digests my food, shields my vital organs, and gives me room to laugh out loud!"
Mean Whisper 😢
"My legs look so thick in these running shorts."
Friendly Flip (Your Turn!) ✍️
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Mean Whisper 😢
"I look so messy today. I wish my hair was perfect like theirs."
Friendly Flip (Your Turn!) ✍️
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My Self-Talk Shield
In the shield below, write a powerful, beautiful sentence to protect your mind when you feel self-conscious. (Example: "My worth is about my heart, my mind, and my kindness!")
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Speak kindness to your own beautiful soul. Page 2 of 2
