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Own Your Story

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Lesson Plan

Own Your Story Lesson Plan

Guide the student to recognize and reframe body image concerns, cultivate self-compassion, and set personalized, actionable goals to support ongoing resilience and positive self-awareness.

Adolescents with medical conditions often face heightened body image challenges. This targeted session fosters self-awareness, emotional resilience, and self-kindness, equipping the student with practical strategies to manage body image concerns.

Audience

12th Grade (Tier 3 Individual)

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Discussion, reflection, and personalized goal-setting.

Materials

Reflective Body Image Worksheet, Self-Compassion Quote Cards, Personalized Goal-Setting Template, Notebook or Journal, Pens or Colored Markers, and Comfortable Seating and Timer

Prep

Review Student Background and Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Rapport Building

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and check in on their current mood
  • Emphasize confidentiality and create a safe, nonjudgmental atmosphere
  • Briefly explain the session’s purpose: exploring body image and self-compassion

Step 2

Guided Discussion on Body Image

10 minutes

  • Ask open-ended questions: “How do you feel about your body recently?” “What triggers negative thoughts about your appearance?”
  • Listen actively, acknowledge emotions, and validate their experiences
  • Gently connect these feelings to their medical condition when appropriate
  • Summarize key points to ensure understanding and trust

Step 3

Reflective Writing Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Reflective Body Image Worksheet
  • Instruct the student to journal responses to prompts (e.g., identifying strengths, listing positive body memories)
  • Circulate supportively, offering clarifying questions and encouragement
  • Invite sharing of insights if the student is comfortable

Step 4

Self-Compassion Card Exploration

8 minutes

  • Present the Self-Compassion Quote Cards face down
  • Have the student select one card and read it aloud
  • Discuss why this quote resonates and how it applies to their self-talk
  • Brainstorm ways to internalize self-compassion in daily reflections

Step 5

Personalized Goal-Setting

8 minutes

  • Provide the Personalized Goal-Setting Template
  • Guide the student to create 2–3 SMART goals related to body image and self-care (e.g., daily affirmations, journaling schedule)
  • Identify concrete steps, timelines, and supports needed
  • Review goals together, offering feedback and encouragement

Step 6

Wrap-Up and Reflection

4 minutes

  • Summarize session highlights and the student’s chosen goals
  • Ask the student to share one key takeaway and how they plan to apply it
  • Confirm next check-in or follow-up support
  • End on a positive note, reinforcing confidence in their progress
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Worksheet

Reflective Body Image Worksheet

Take your time to thoughtfully respond to each prompt. This worksheet is your private space to explore your thoughts and feelings about your body. There are no right or wrong answers.

1. Moments of Body Pride

Reflect on times when you felt proud of your body. Describe at least two specific moments, including what happened and how you felt in your body.

Moment 1:












Moment 2:











2. Body Strengths Inventory

List five ways your body supports you in daily life (physical or emotional strengths).





2. ____________________________________________________



3. ____________________________________________________



4. ____________________________________________________



5. ____________________________________________________


3. Identifying Negative Thoughts

Write down common negative thoughts you have about your appearance or body. Try to note at least three.






2. ____________________________________________________




3. ____________________________________________________



4. Reframing with Self-Compassion

For each negative thought above, reframe it into a compassionate, supportive statement you could tell yourself instead.

Negative Thought 1 Reframe:






Negative Thought 2 Reframe:






Negative Thought 3 Reframe:






5. Medical Condition and Body Image

Describe how your medical condition has influenced your perception of your body. Consider both challenges and any new strengths or insights it has brought.











6. Self-Compassion Letter

Imagine a close friend with your experiences and challenges. Write a brief letter offering them understanding, kindness, and encouragement. Use this same tone toward yourself.










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Activity

Self-Compassion Quote Cards

Use these cards to spark discussion and reflection on self-compassion. Print and cut along the lines, shuffle the deck, and have the student select one card at a time. After reading the quote aloud, use the accompanying prompt to guide your conversation.


Card 1
“ You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection.” – Buddha
Prompt: Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to give love to others than to yourself?


Card 2
“ Talk to yourself like you would to someone you love.” – Brené Brown
Prompt: What’s one kind thing you could say to yourself today when a negative thought arises?


Card 3
“ You are imperfect, you are wired for struggle, but you are worthy of love and belonging.” – Brené Brown
Prompt: How does acknowledging your imperfections open the door to self-compassion?


Card 4
“ Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the best you can.” – Unknown
Prompt: Think of a recent challenge. How could you reframe your self-talk to be gentler in that moment?


Card 5
“ Self-compassion is simply giving the same kindness to ourselves that we would give to others.” – Christopher Germer
Prompt: Describe a situation where you offered kindness to a friend. How can you offer that same kindness to yourself?


Card 6
“ Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing we’ll ever do.” – Brené Brown
Prompt: What part of your story feels hardest to accept, and how might compassion help?


Card 7
“ Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” – Etty Hillesum
Prompt: How can you build mini-pauses into your daily routine to practice self-care?


Card 8
“ You are more than what has happened to you.” – Unknown
Prompt: In what ways has your medical condition shaped you, and what strengths have you gained?


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Worksheet

Personalized Goal-Setting Template

Use this template to create 2–3 SMART goals focused on improving your body image and self-care. For each goal, define Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound criteria, then outline action steps, supports, and check-in dates.


Goal 1: Goal Statement

What do you want to achieve?







Specific

What exactly will you accomplish? Be clear and detailed.







Measurable

How will you track progress and know when the goal is met?







Achievable

What steps or resources do you need to make this realistic?







Relevant

Why is this goal important for your body image and self-care?







Time-Bound

What is your deadline or timeline for completing this goal?







Action Steps

List the concrete tasks you will take to reach this goal.










Supports & Resources

Who can help you? What tools or materials will you use?







Potential Barriers & Solutions

Identify challenges and how you will address them.

Barrier: ____________________________________________

Solution: __________________________________________



Barrier: ____________________________________________

Solution: __________________________________________


Check-In Dates

Set 2–3 dates to review your progress.



- _______________________

- _______________________

Reflection Notes

After each check-in, jot down insights, successes, or adjustments needed.

Date: ____________ Notes:






Goal 2: Goal Statement

What do you want to achieve?







Specific

What exactly will you accomplish? Be clear and detailed.







Measurable

How will you track progress and know when the goal is met?







Achievable

What steps or resources do you need to make this realistic?







Relevant

Why is this goal important for your body image and self-care?







Time-Bound

What is your deadline or timeline for completing this goal?







Action Steps

List the concrete tasks you will take to reach this goal.










Supports & Resources

Who can help you? What tools or materials will you use?







Potential Barriers & Solutions

Identify challenges and how you will address them.

Barrier: ____________________________________________

Solution: __________________________________________


Check-In Dates

Set 2–3 dates to review your progress.



- _______________________

- _______________________

Reflection Notes

After each check-in, jot down insights, successes, or adjustments needed.

Date: ____________ Notes:






Feel free to add Goal 3 by copying the sections above.

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Script

Own Your Story: Session Script

Introduction and Rapport Building (5 minutes)

Teacher: Hello, [Student Name]. It’s great to see you today. Before we begin, how are you feeling in this moment?

(Wait for the student to respond. Validate their feelings.)

Teacher: Thank you for sharing. I want you to know that everything we talk about stays between us—this is a safe and nonjudgmental space. Today, we’re going to explore how you feel about your body, practice self-compassion, and set some personalized goals to support you going forward. Does that sound okay?

(Pause for affirmation.)

Teacher: Wonderful. Let’s start with a few questions to get a better sense of your current experience.


Guided Discussion on Body Image (10 minutes)

Teacher: When I say “body image,” what thoughts or feelings come to your mind right now?

(Allow the student to share. Listen actively.)

Teacher (Follow-up): What kinds of situations or triggers tend to bring up those thoughts?

(If needed, prompt: “Maybe when you’re looking in the mirror?” or “During social media?”)

Teacher: It sounds like when [restate a student example], you feel [reflect their emotion]. Is that right?

(Validate: “That makes sense.”)

Teacher: Sometimes our medical condition can add another layer to these feelings. How do you think your treatment or health routines have influenced the way you see your body?

(Listen and empathize.)

Teacher: Thank you for being so open. You’ve given me a clear picture of where you’re at. Let’s move into a short writing exercise to reflect more deeply.


Reflective Writing Activity (10 minutes)

Teacher: Here is the Reflective Body Image Worksheet. Take about 10 minutes to work through each section. You can write in your notebook or directly on the worksheet. If you have any questions or want to talk through a prompt, just let me know.

(Distribute materials and set a timer for 10 minutes.)

(After 5 minutes, check in.)

Teacher: How’s it going so far? Would you like to share anything you’ve noticed about your strengths or memories of body pride?

(Encourage but do not pressure sharing. If the student is comfortable, discuss one insight.)


Self-Compassion Card Exploration (8 minutes)

Teacher: Next, we have the Self-Compassion Quote Cards. I’ll shuffle them, and you can choose one card. Read the quote aloud when you’re ready.

(Student selects and reads a card.)

Teacher: That’s a powerful quote. Let’s look at the prompt. It asks: “Why do you think it’s sometimes easier to give love to others than to yourself?” What comes up for you?

(Discuss their response. Use follow-ups such as “What would it feel like to treat yourself that way?” or “How might you remind yourself of this idea tomorrow?”)

Teacher: Great reflections. How could you bring this self-compassion prompt into your everyday routine?

(Brainstorm specific strategies together.)


Personalized Goal-Setting (8 minutes)

Teacher: Now let’s set 2–3 SMART goals using the Personalized Goal-Setting Template.

Teacher: For Goal 1, start by filling in the Goal Statement: What is one thing you’d like to achieve for your body image or self-care?

(Give the student a moment to write.)

Teacher (Prompt): What makes this goal Specific? Can you name exactly what you will do every day or week?

(Help them articulate a clear action.)

Teacher (Prompt): How will you measure your progress? What will tell you you’ve succeeded?
Teacher (Prompt): Is this goal Achievable given your schedule and resources?
Teacher (Prompt): Why is this goal Relevant to the way you think about your body?
Teacher (Prompt): What is a realistic Time-Bound deadline?

(Guide them to complete each SMART criterion. Then ask for Action Steps, Supports & Resources, Potential Barriers & Solutions, and Check-In Dates.)

Teacher: That looks solid. Would you like to set a second goal now? If so, let’s repeat the process for Goal 2.

(Support the student through the second goal.)


Wrap-Up and Reflection (4 minutes)

Teacher: We’ve covered a lot today. You’ve identified important feelings, practiced self-compassion, and set meaningful goals. Before we finish, can you share one key takeaway from our session?

(Wait for response.)

Teacher: Thank you. How do you plan to apply this takeaway in the coming week?

(Listen and affirm.)

Teacher: I’m proud of the work you’ve done today. We’ll check in on [Date] to see how things are going and adjust as needed. Remember, you deserve kindness—from others and from yourself.

Teacher: Have a wonderful rest of your day, and feel free to jot down any thoughts or questions in your journal before our next meeting. Take care!

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