Stargirl- Build Self Esteem and Reduce Anxiety by Creating a Star Jar (Lesson Plan)

Discussion Time: Stargirl was completely comfortable with who she was - an individual!

The Thin Ideal is the concept that describes the ideally slim female body.  The common perception of this ideal is a woman who is slender with a small waist and little body fat.  Like a Barbie Doll!  This is an important discussion to have because the media promotes the "thin idea" and this often has a negative effect on young girls resulting in poor self esteem, eating disorders and depression.

A Barbie doll was used to spark a discussion about how the media portrays girls/women and sends a message that is unattainable for many girls to reach.  A Barbie, turned into a real human, wouldn’t be able to stand, walk, or menstruate due to her weight and measurements. Body image is a huge problem for any girl or woman of any age.

View the following video: 5 Ways to Promote a Healthy Body Image for Girls

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFBZ9c9pnbw

1.  Talk About Health:  Discuss eating right and staying physically active.  Remind students that there is no one right body type.

2.  Do a Reality Check: View media posts and investigate how much photoshopping was done to create the images of the models.

3. Discuss the Bottom Line: Most images you see are designed for advertisements to sell something.

4.  Celebrate Wins: Focus on accomplishments and praise the character traits needed for achievement.  Celebrate women in history and their achievements that do not focus on body type but instead making a difference in our world.

5.Set an Example: Ban Fat Talk in your home and at school, model healthy examples.

Activity:  Create a Star Jar: A Focus on Positive Traits and Achievements

The Girls create a list of their positive traits and achievements and place them in their Star Jar to read when they are feeling down. This activity focuses on positive self esteem and empowerment.

Materials:

• One jar for each girl.  These can be purchased at Walmart.  (12 smooth jars@ $8.99)
• Strips of cut colored paper that will fit into the jar.  (The girls will roll them and tie them with twine or ribbon )
• Star Stickers to decorate the jar (A selection for girls to choose)
• Twine/ ribbon and a tagboard star cut from a template for students to write their name.
• Any other materials you would like for decoration.

Procedure:

1. Discuss the "Thin Ideal" as presented above.  (Share thoughts, ideas, and stories) 
2. Discuss:  Sometimes our focus is on negativity rather then the positive achievements and things we value about our life. 
3. Today we will create a "Star Jar." Pass out the a jar to each girl and 5- 10 slips of colored paper strips.
4. Say: Think for a minute about all the things that make you special.  
5.  Ask: If Stargirl were to do this activity, she might write?  Examples below. 

•  I am an individual.  I do not conform to what others expect me to be at school.  I am my true to myself.  
• I do kind things for others like creating special cards, adding to their collections.
• I play the ukulele and love music.  I even sing happy birthday during lunchtime in the cafeteria to the other students..
• I am artistic.  On Valentines Day, I create special valentines for everyone in my class.
• I am creative:  Sometimes I wear costumes to school.  I love to dance in the rain.
• I love animals and even have a pet rat.

2.  Mirror Messages: Read about a campaign started to help promote positive esteem.  Brainstorm and implement solutions of your own.

https://www.dosomething.org/us/campaigns/mirror-messages?source=facts/11-facts-about-body-image.

3.  Start you own campaign! Brainstorm ways that you might get the word out!   Create an Action Plan and implement your ideas.  

4.  Share them on this blog

Pictures from our Stargirl Meeting.