Students may dwell too much on what they should improve, how they should look, or how they should dress. Teenagers are vulnerable to media influence and unfortunately, media is filled with methods of tearing body image down. Students who are already experiencing distorted body images are easily and heavily influenced. If teens can focus on who they are and what they like about themselves, they may not be so susceptible to going to extremes to change it. In these SEL activities, students will focus on what their abilities are instead of their appearances.
After the students have completed their work, you can hang them in on the board or wall in the classroom. Having an overpowering number of positive images will help create a more body-friendly environment. Some students rarely see a wall of positivity. Additionally, examples that come from peers may also mean more as opposed to something created by a teacher.
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a storyboard of what your abilities are to show emphasis on abilities rather than appearances.
Guide students to say or write positive statements about their skills and strengths. This helps shift their focus from appearance to what they can do well, boosting self-confidence and resilience.
Share your own abilities and interests with the class to set an example. Demonstrating vulnerability can make students feel more comfortable and willing to participate.
Organize short activities where students compliment each other's abilities. This builds a supportive classroom culture and reinforces the value of everyone's unique skills.
Hang student-created work that highlights abilities on the walls. Having visual reminders of everyone's strengths builds ongoing positivity and can inspire others.
Have students regularly write about a new ability or skill they've discovered or improved. This ongoing reflection keeps the focus on growth and personal achievements.
Abilities Over Appearances is a social-emotional learning (SEL) activity where students focus on highlighting their skills and talents rather than their looks. Using storyboards, students showcase three personal abilities to promote a positive self-image and shift attention away from appearance.
Encourage students to identify and celebrate their abilities through reflective activities like storyboarding. Display their work on classroom walls to create a positive, inclusive environment that values strengths over looks.
Students click "Start Assignment," create a three-cell storyboard, and illustrate three different abilities. Each cell includes a title, visual, and brief description of the ability, helping students reflect on their unique strengths.
Focusing on abilities builds self-esteem, reduces susceptibility to negative media influence, and helps students develop a healthier body image by valuing what they can do instead of how they look.
Displaying student-created storyboards filled with positive abilities fosters a supportive atmosphere, promotes acceptance, and encourages students to appreciate each other's strengths, making body positivity a visible classroom value.