Several years ago, I watched the video En guerra from Camilo and Sebastián Yatra. Whether it is school appropriate or not will depend on your context. I wrote this unit after seeing the video and I use it with seniors at the end of a unit discussing self image and mental health, so they genuinely understand the message. It is called En guerra and, although it is part of the Huellas curriculum, it can stand alone or be part of a curriculum you already use.

In En guerra, we began by looking at how we pose (poses favoritas) when someone is taking our picture.

Then we learned about the #shelivesinsideme trend on TikTok and did our own little videos.

We explored self image and the toll it can take on adolescents and some of the most common mental illnesses that can affect them (and how to seek help). We talked about 988 and how we are all needed right here where we are.

We did an “unposed” challenge where we proved you’re even more beautiful when you’re not posing!

On day 1 of the unit, I gave students a questionnaire. They had to answer (in Spanish) what they see when they look in the mirror. It asked about their talents, the things they want to change, their best characteristics… I put these into an envelope. I also gave them a paper to share with a loved one. This paper (in English) challenged the loved one to tell them all the things they may not see when they look at themselves. The loved ones could either seal them in an envelope and return them to me (you need lots of envelopes on hand) or, if they were fellow students, they could bring them to me without the recipient seeing them. These were added to the original envelope. Then I added a note as well. Tomorrow, they’ll get their envelopes back as we close the unit writing about the most beautiful person we know (and what makes them so beautiful).

This unit has been good for our hearts and souls and I’m so glad that I got to do it with this really precious group of seniors I have.

Find En guerra here.