Warm Up: What's Your Fuel?

Think about the foods you eat. Which ones make you feel energized and ready to learn and play? Which ones make you feel tired or sluggish?

Draw or write down 3-5 foods that make you feel awesome and give you energy!

Fuel Your Awesome! Script

Warm-Up: What's Your Fuel? (10 minutes)

"Good morning/afternoon, awesome learners! Today, we're going to talk about something super important that helps you run, play, and learn: FOOD! Just like a car needs fuel to go, your body needs fuel to do all the amazing things you do every day.

To get us started, I've handed out a quick warm-up sheet called Warm Up: What's Your Fuel?. On this sheet, I want you to quickly draw or write down 3-5 foods that make you feel energized and ready to go. What foods make you feel awesome and give you power? You have about 5 minutes to complete this."

(Allow students to complete the warm-up.)

"Alright, who would like to share one food that makes them feel super energized? Why do you think that food gives you energy?"

(Facilitate a brief class share-out, discussing a few examples. Connect their ideas to the concept of food as fuel.)

Introduction & Slide Deck Presentation (15 minutes)

"Great job! Today, we're going to explore this idea of 'fueling your awesome' even more. We'll learn about different types of food and how they help our bodies grow strong and stay healthy.

Let's dive into our Fuel Your Awesome! Slide Deck!"

(Advance to Slide 1: "Fuel Your Awesome!")

"Take a look at our title slide: 'Fuel Your Awesome!' What does that make you think of? What does it mean to 'fuel' something?"

(Advance to Slide 2: "Food: Your Body's Fuel")

"As we just discussed, food is your body's fuel. Imagine if you put the wrong kind of fuel in a car, or no fuel at all. What would happen? That's right, it wouldn't run very well, or it might not run at all! Our bodies are the same. The food we eat directly impacts how much energy we have, how well we can concentrate, and how strong our bodies are."

(Advance to Slide 3: "The Healthy Plate")

"So, what does it look like to give our bodies the best kind of fuel? It often looks like a 'Healthy Plate'! This isn't about eating boring food; it's about eating a variety of delicious foods that work together to keep you healthy. We want to make sure we're getting nutrients from different food groups."

(Advance to Slide 4: "Fruits & Veggies: Power-Ups!")

"First up, fruits and veggies! These are like your body's power-ups! They're full of vitamins and minerals that keep you from getting sick and give you quick energy. What are some of your favorite fruits and vegetables? Shout them out!"

(Advance to Slide 5: "Grains: Long-Lasting Energy")

"Next, we have grains. Think of grains as giving you long-lasting energy, like a steady campfire. Whole grains, like brown rice or whole wheat bread, are especially good because they release energy slowly, keeping you full and focused longer. Can anyone name a food made from grains?"

(Advance to Slide 6: "Protein: Building Blocks")

"Protein is super important for building and repairing your body. It helps your muscles grow strong and keeps your body working properly. Think of it as the building blocks for your body. What are some foods high in protein?"

(Advance to Slide 7: "Dairy: Super Bones!")

"For super strong bones and teeth, we need dairy! Foods like milk, yogurt, and cheese give us calcium. Calcium is like the super glue that holds your bones together and helps them grow. What are some ways you like to get your dairy?"

(Advance to Slide 8: "Healthy Fats & Sweet Treats")

"We also need some healthy fats in our diet, found in things like avocados or nuts, because they help our brains and bodies work. But what about sweet treats and sugary drinks? They can be fun sometimes, but it's important to have them in moderation. Why do you think eating too many sugary things might not be good for you?"

(Advance to Slide 9: "Making Healthy Choices")

"The great news is that you are in charge of your fuel! Every day, you get to make choices about what you put into your body. Making healthy choices helps you have more energy, concentrate better in school, and stay strong to play your favorite sports or games."

(Advance to Slide 10: "Recap: Fuel Your Body Right!")

"Before we move on, let's quickly recap: What are some key things you remember about fueling your awesome body today?"

Discussion: Food Choices Chat (10 minutes)

"Now, let's talk about this a bit more. We're going to have a Discussion: Food Choices Chat. I want you to think about these questions:

• What are some healthy snacks you enjoy, or would like to try?
  
• How can you encourage your family or friends to make healthier food choices?
  
• What's one challenge you might face when trying to eat healthy, and how could you overcome it?"

"You can share your thoughts with a partner, in a small group, or as a whole class. Let's make sure everyone gets a chance to share their ideas respectfully."

(Facilitate the discussion, ensuring all students have an opportunity to participate. Guide them to share diverse perspectives and problem-solve challenges together.)

Activity: My Healthy Plate Worksheet (15 minutes)

"Excellent discussion, everyone! Now it's time to put your knowledge into action. I'm going to hand out the Worksheet: My Healthy Plate. Your task is to draw or write examples of healthy foods for each section of the plate we discussed today – fruits, vegetables, grains, protein, and dairy. Think about what we learned from the slides and our discussion."

(Distribute worksheets. Circulate around the room, offering assistance and checking for understanding. After students complete, briefly review answers with the class or collect for individual feedback. Refer to the Answer Key: My Healthy Plate for guidance.)

Cool-Down: One Healthy Habit (5 minutes)

"You've all done a fantastic job today learning about how to fuel your awesome bodies! To wrap up, I want you to think about one healthy eating habit that you want to try or continue after today's lesson. Maybe it's eating more fruit, trying a new vegetable, or drinking more water instead of soda. Just one thing.

On your Cool Down: One Healthy Habit slip, write down that one healthy habit. This is your personal goal!"

(Collect the cool-down slips as students finish. Thank them for their participation and reinforce the importance of healthy habits.)

"Thank you, class! Remember, making healthy choices helps you stay strong, energetic, and ready for anything!"

Food Choices Chat

Let's discuss how we can make healthy food choices every day!

Discussion Questions:

1. What are some healthy snacks you already enjoy, or would like to try in the future?
   
   
   
2. How can you encourage your family or friends to make healthier food choices without sounding bossy?
   
   
   
   
   
3. What is one challenge you might face when trying to eat healthy, and what is one way you could overcome that challenge?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

My Healthy Plate

Draw or write examples of healthy foods in each section of the plate to show what a balanced meal looks like!

Fruits & Vegetables

Grains

Protein

Dairy

Answer Key: My Healthy Plate

(Note to Teacher: Student answers may vary, focus on correct food group identification and healthy choices within those groups.)

Fruits & Vegetables

• Thought Process: Students should list or draw a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables. The key is to recognize that these provide vitamins and minerals.
• Examples: Apples, bananas, berries, oranges, broccoli, carrots, spinach, bell peppers, corn.

Grains

• Thought Process: Students should identify foods made from grains, ideally focusing on whole grains for sustained energy.
• Examples: Whole wheat bread, brown rice, oatmeal, whole grain pasta, quinoa, whole grain crackers.

Protein

• Thought Process: Students should list sources of protein that help build and repair muscles.
• Examples: Chicken, fish, beans, lentils, eggs, nuts, tofu, lean beef.

Dairy

• Thought Process: Students should identify dairy products known for calcium for strong bones.
• Examples: Milk, yogurt, cheese, fortified plant-based milk alternatives.

Cool Down: One Healthy Habit

What is ONE healthy eating habit you want to try or continue after today's lesson?

Confidence Worksheet: Strength Spotlight

Julia, let's shine a spotlight on all the amazing things that make you, YOU! Everyone has unique strengths, talents, and accomplishments. Sometimes we just need to take a moment to notice them.

Take some time to think about the following questions and write down your answers. Don't be shy – celebrate yourself!

1. What are you good at? (These could be skills, hobbies, or things you do well around the house or with friends.)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. What positive qualities do you have? (Think about your personality – are you kind, funny, determined, a good listener, brave, creative?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. What is something you are proud of accomplishing? (Big or small, what have you achieved that makes you feel good?)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. How have you helped someone else, or made a positive difference?
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. What makes you unique or special? (This could be anything from your perspective, your experiences, to your interests!)
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   

Self-Esteem Reading: Your Unique Spark

What is Self-Esteem?

Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself. It's your overall opinion of your own worth. When you have high self-esteem, you feel good about who you are, what you can do, and your value as a person. It means you accept yourself, including your strengths and your areas for growth.

Think of it like a plant. If a plant gets enough sunlight, water, and care, it grows strong and healthy. If you nurture your self-esteem, you'll grow stronger and feel healthier emotionally.

What is Confidence?

Confidence is your belief in your ability to succeed at something. It's about trusting yourself to handle situations, make decisions, and achieve your goals. While self-esteem is about your overall worth, confidence is often about your ability to do things. The two are closely linked: when you feel good about yourself (self-esteem), it's easier to feel capable of doing things (confidence).

Your Inner Voice: Friend or Foe?

We all have an inner voice – the thoughts we have about ourselves. Sometimes this voice is kind and encouraging, like a supportive friend. Other times, it can be critical and self-doubting. Learning to recognize and challenge the negative thoughts is a big step towards building self-esteem.

How to Deal with Your Inner Critic:

• Notice it: Pay attention to when your inner voice is being mean or unhelpful.
• Question it: Is what it's saying really true? Is there another way to look at the situation?
• Reframe it: Change the negative thought into a more positive or realistic one. For example, instead of "I can't do this," try "I can try my best, and even if it's hard, I can learn from it."

Celebrating Your Unique Spark

Every single person is unique and has a special "spark" – a combination of qualities, talents, and experiences that make them who they are. Your cerebral palsy is a part of your journey and your unique experience, but it does not define your worth or limit your potential for confidence.

Think about all the things you have learned, achieved, and experienced. These are all part of your amazing story. Embracing your unique spark means recognizing all parts of yourself and valuing them. It means understanding that your experiences, including any challenges you face, can also be sources of strength and resilience.

Remember: Building self-esteem and confidence is a journey. It takes practice, patience, and kindness towards yourself. But every step you take to recognize your worth and celebrate your uniqueness brings you closer to a more confident and fulfilling life.