Lesson Plan
Mirror Mindset Lesson Plan
Students will identify negative self-talk patterns and learn practical reframing strategies to foster a healthier body image and self-compassion.
Developing a positive body image and challenging negative self-talk builds self-esteem, emotional resilience, and long-term mental well-being for all students.
Audience
Middle School Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion with hands-on reflection.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Mirror Mindset Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with key talking points.
- Read through the Mirror Mindset Script for guided prompts and transitions.
- Print one copy of the Mirror Mindset Worksheet per student.
- Set up any device needed to display the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction
5 minutes
- Greet the student and explain the lesson’s objective: recognizing and reframing negative self-talk.
- Define key terms: self-talk and body image.
- Show Slides 1–2 of the Mirror Mindset Slide Deck for visual examples.
Step 2
Guided Discussion
7 minutes
- Ask the student to share one example of a negative thought they’ve had about their appearance.
- Present common negative self-talk statements on Slides 3–5.
- Discuss how such thoughts can affect feelings and behavior.
- Refer to scripted questions in the Mirror Mindset Script.
Step 3
Worksheet Activity
10 minutes
- Distribute the Mirror Mindset Worksheet.
- Instruct the student to write down 2–3 personal negative thoughts in the left column.
- Guide them to reframe each thought into a positive or compassionate statement in the right column.
- Circulate through scripted prompts as needed from the Mirror Mindset Script.
Step 4
Reflection Exercise
5 minutes
- Ask the student to choose one reframed statement they find most empowering.
- Have them write a short paragraph in their notebook about how using that statement might change their feelings.
- Encourage them to note when they will practice this affirmation in daily life.
Step 5
Closure
3 minutes
- Summarize key takeaways: identifying negative self-talk and using reframing techniques.
- Reinforce the importance of daily affirmations and self-compassion.
- Show Slide 6 of the Mirror Mindset Slide Deck with a final positive affirmation.
- Thank the student and encourage ongoing reflection.
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Slide Deck
Mirror Mindset: Challenging Negative Self-Talk
• 30-Minute Individual Lesson
• Goal: Recognize & reframe negative self-talk
• Outcome: Build self-compassion & positive body image
Welcome the student and introduce today’s focus on identifying and reframing negative self-talk to build a healthier body image. Emphasize that this lesson is about self-compassion, not criticism.
Key Definitions
• Self-Talk: The inner dialogue we have about ourselves
• Body Image: How we perceive and feel about our physical appearance
Define both terms clearly, using familiar language. Ask the student to paraphrase each definition to check understanding.
Examples of Negative Self-Talk
• “I’m so fat.”
• “My skin is ugly.”
• “Nobody likes how I look.”
• “I’ll never be good enough.”
Show 3–5 common negative phrases. Invite the student to share any they’ve used. Link back to personal experiences to make it real.
Reframing Model
- Identify Negative Thought: “I’m not pretty enough.”
- Challenge It: “Why do I believe this?”
- Replace With Compassion: “I have unique features that make me special.”
Introduce the reframing process step by step: Identify → Challenge → Replace. Model with one example on the board or verbally.
Your Turn: Reflection & Reframe
• List 2–3 negative thoughts you’ve had about your appearance
• Next to each, write a positive or compassionate counter-statement
• Example:
– Neg: “My smile is awkward.”
– Reframe: “My smile shows my warmth and kindness.”
Ask the student to complete the worksheet. Provide prompts if they struggle. Encourage honest reflection over “perfect” answers.
Final Affirmation
Choose one statement below (or create your own):
• “I am worthy of kindness — especially from myself.”
• “My body supports me, and I appreciate it.”
• “I deserve compassion and respect.”
Reinforce the habit of daily affirmations. Encourage the student to write this affirmation somewhere they’ll see it each day.
Worksheet
Mirror Mindset Worksheet
Instructions
Complete the practice below by identifying 2–3 negative thoughts you’ve had about your appearance and then reframing each into a compassionate, positive statement. Use prompts from the Mirror Mindset Script and examples from the Mirror Mindset Slide Deck as needed.
Reflection Table
| Negative Thought | Reframed Statement |
|---|---|
| Ex: “My smile is awkward.” | Ex: “My smile shows my warmth and kindness.” |
| 1. | |
| 2. | |
| 3. |
Reflection Paragraph
Choose one of your reframed statements above and write a short paragraph describing:
- How practicing this affirmation might change how you feel
- When and where you will remind yourself to use it
Script
Mirror Mindset Script
Introduction (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Hi there! Today we’re going to talk about two important ideas: self-talk and body image. Our goal is to notice when we say unkind things to ourselves and learn how to turn those thoughts into kinder, more helpful messages."
Teacher: "First, let’s define our key terms. Self-talk is the inner dialogue we have about ourselves. Can you put that in your own words for me?"
Allow student to paraphrase.
Teacher: "Great! Now, body image is how we perceive and feel about our physical appearance. What does that mean to you?"
Allow student to paraphrase.
Teacher: "Awesome. To help us see these ideas more clearly, let’s look at Slides 1 and 2 of the Mirror Mindset Slide Deck."
Show Slide 1 (title slide) and Slide 2 (definitions).
Guided Discussion (7 minutes)
Teacher: "Now I’d like to hear from you. Can you share one example of a negative thought you’ve had when you looked in the mirror or thought about your appearance?"
Prompt: "When did that thought come up? How did it make you feel?"
Teacher: "Thank you for sharing. Sometimes these thoughts can hold us back or make us feel bad about ourselves. Let’s look at some common examples on Slides 3–5 of the slide deck."
Show Slide 3: Examples of Negative Self-Talk.
Teacher: "Do any of these phrases sound familiar? For example, have you ever thought, ‘I’m so fat’ or ‘Nobody likes how I look’?"
Follow-up questions:
- "What does that thought mean to you in your own life?"
- "How might saying that to yourself change how you act or feel during the day?"
Teacher: "These are powerful thoughts. Let’s think together about where they come from and whether they’re really true."
Show Slide 4: Reframing Model.
Teacher: "We’ll use a three-step process: Identify the negative thought, Challenge it, and Replace it with a kinder statement. I’ll model one: ‘I’m not pretty enough’ becomes ‘I have unique features that make me special.’"
Worksheet Activity (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Now it’s your turn! Here’s the Mirror Mindset Worksheet. In the left column, write down 2–3 negative thoughts you’ve had about your appearance. Then in the right column, reframe each one into a positive or compassionate statement."
Teacher: "For example, if you wrote ‘My smile is awkward,’ you might reframe it as ‘My smile shows my warmth and kindness.’"
Teacher: "Go ahead and start with your first thought. I’ll check in with you as you work and help if you get stuck."
Circulate and use prompts as needed:
- "If a friend said that about themselves, what would you tell them?"
- "How can you talk to yourself with that same kindness?"
Reflection Exercise (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Great work! Which of your new statements feels the strongest or most true?"
Allow student to choose.
Teacher: "Now, in your notebook, write a short paragraph about how using this statement might change how you feel. Also, tell me when and where you plan to practice this affirmation in your daily life."
Closure (3 minutes)
Teacher: "Let’s review what we did today: we identified negative self-talk, challenged it, and practiced reframing it into kinder messages. Building the habit of daily affirmations can help you feel more confident and compassionate toward yourself."
Show Slide 6: Final Affirmation.
Teacher: "Here are some affirmations you can choose or adapt. Which one speaks to you the most?"
Teacher: "You might write it on a sticky note or set a reminder on your phone so you see it every day."
Teacher: "Thank you for being open and honest today. Remember: your body supports you, and you deserve kindness—especially from yourself. Keep practicing your affirmations, and believe in your Mirror Mindset!"