Divide students into small groups of about three students. Groups will brainstorm and discuss what they know about the warning signs displayed by a person with an eating disorder, and ways that a friend or acquaintance can help a person who displays these signs. The three selected students practice their role-play while the other groups are brainstorming. When ready, the three students present their scenario to the whole class. After the role-play, students discuss in their small groups possible ways to approach and help the character with an apparent eating disorder.
Groups share their ideas in a class discussion.
Three friends, Jessica, Maria, and Joe have been friends since they were in elementary school. Maria and Jessica have been on a girl's basketball team together for two years. Jessica is one of the best players on the team. Maria and Joe have noticed that Jessica seems to be looking and acting differently in the past few months. They have noticed that she seems to have lost a lot of weight over a short period of time, she rarely eats, seems to look in mirrors a lot, and seems very worried or preoccupied with how she looks.