Healthy Body Image Collage Creation

Objective: To create a visual representation of what a diverse, inclusive, and holistic view of health truly looks like, moving beyond narrow media portrayals.

Materials Needed per Group:

• Large paper or poster board
• Scissors
• Glue sticks
• Magazines, newspapers, or printouts of online advertisements (provided by teacher)
• Markers or colored pencils (optional)

Instructions:

1. Understand the Goal: Your group will create a collage titled "What Healthy Really Looks Like." This isn't about finding the 'perfect' body, but about showing all the different ways people can be healthy, inside and out.

2. Brainstorm & Discuss: Before you start cutting, talk with your group about what "healthy" truly means. Think about:

   • What does a healthy mind look like? (e.g., happiness, calm, curiosity)
   • What does a healthy body do? (e.g., play, move, rest, heal)
   • What healthy habits are there? (e.g., eating nutritious food, sleeping, spending time with friends, learning new things)
   • How do people of different ages, genders, and backgrounds experience health?

3. Search for Images & Words: Look through the provided magazines, newspapers, or printouts. Cut out:

   • Pictures of people engaging in healthy activities (sports, hobbies, laughing, relaxing).
   • Images that show diverse body types, ages, and abilities.
   • Pictures of nutritious foods, nature, or positive social interactions.
   • Words, phrases, or headlines that promote positive messages about health, well-being, kindness, or self-care.
   • Avoid images that focus solely on idealized or unrealistic body shapes, or promote unhealthy dieting.

4. Create Your Collage: Arrange and glue your chosen images and words onto your large paper/poster board. Fill the entire space! Be creative in how you lay out your collage.

5. Add Your Voice (Optional): Use markers or colored pencils to add your own drawings, captions, or statements around the images to further explain your group's vision of health.

6. Prepare to Share: Once your collage is complete, your group should choose a spokesperson (or a few members) to explain your creation to the class. Be ready to share why you chose certain images and what your collage says about "What Healthy Really Looks Like."

Beyond the Screen: Discussion Prompts

These prompts are designed to facilitate a deeper conversation after students have completed their collages. Encourage students to share their thoughts respectfully and actively listen to their peers.

Group Presentations & Initial Reflections

1. As each group presents their collage, ask:
   • "What was one surprising image or word you included, and why?"
     
     
     
   • "How does your collage challenge what the media often shows us about health?"
     
     
     

Deepening the Discussion

2. Media Literacy: "After creating your collages and seeing how diverse health truly is, how do you think you might look at images in magazines, on TV, or on social media differently now?"
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Defining Health: "We often hear about being physically healthy, but what other aspects of health did your collages highlight? (e.g., mental, emotional, social health)"
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Body Diversity: "Why is it important to recognize that healthy bodies come in all shapes, sizes, and abilities? How can we be more inclusive in our understanding of health?"
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Personal Connection: "What is one way you can practice a healthier self-image or a more balanced view of health in your own life, beyond focusing on what you look like?"
   
   
   
   
   
   

6. Action Steps: "What can we do as individuals or as a class to promote a more realistic and positive understanding of health and body image in our school or community?"