Whole Earth Curriculum WEC
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Lesson 03 — My Body's Signals

Learners learn that the body sends signals — hunger, thirst, and tiredness — and practice noticing and naming each one in their own bodies.

D03 P2: Physical & Somatic Awareness D03.S1 45 minutes Draft
Objectives

Objectives

  • D03.S1.01.02 Notice and name body signals such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness when they feel them.

Essential question

What is my body telling me?

Key vocabulary
signalhungerthirsttirednessnotice
Materials

Standard materials

  • Signal picture cards · 1 set Three cards — an empty growling tummy (hunger), a dry mouth (thirst), a yawning heavy-lidded face (tiredness)
  • A bell or shaker (optional) · 1 To show what a "signal" is — a sound that tells you something

Low-tech / no-cost

  • Your own body Feel and name each signal in your own body; no cards needed
  • Voice Describe each signal aloud ("tummy growling", "mouth dry", "eyes heavy")

Enriched / lab & device

  • Laminated signal cards · 1 set per pair Durable cards for repeated sorting and matching of hunger, thirst, tiredness
  • Tablet or camera · 1 per group Photograph learners acting out each signal to build a class "my body talks" poster
Works in different contexts
  • large-group Ring the bell to introduce "signal", then hold each card up high and describe the body feeling aloud for all to hear
  • self-directed A learner works through the three cards alone, feeling each signal in their body and naming a time they noticed it
  • outdoor-only Name the signals outdoors; notice how a full day of play can bring hunger, thirst, and tiredness, and check in on each
  • multi-age Older learners act out a signal while younger learners guess whether it is hunger, thirst, or tiredness
Three cards showing the body's signals — a growling tummy for hunger, a dry mouth for thirst, and a yawning heavy-lidded face for tiredness — with the note that a body signal is always okay to have
Three cards showing the body's signals — a growling tummy for hunger, a dry mouth for thirst, and a yawning heavy-lidded face for tiredness — with the note that a body signal is always okay to have

Lesson 3 — My Body’s Signals

Summary

Learners learn that their body talks to them through signals. They meet three big ones — hunger, thirst, and tiredness — feel where each one shows up, and practice noticing and naming the signal their own body is sending right now.

Objectives

  • Notice and name body signals such as hunger, thirst, and tiredness. (D03.S1.01.02)

Connection

Your body is always sending you little messages, like a bell that rings to get your attention. A growling tummy is your body saying “I need food”; a dry mouth says “I need water”; heavy, sleepy eyes say “I need rest.” When you learn to notice these messages, you can take good care of yourself.

Materials

  • Signal picture cards (hunger, thirst, tiredness)
  • A bell or shaker (optional)

Preparation

  • Print or draw three signal cards: hunger, thirst, tiredness.
  • Have the bell or shaker ready to show what a “signal” is.
  • Arrange a circle for gathering and the guessing game.

Facilitator note

This lesson is written to the learner (“you”) so it works in a classroom and for a self-directed learner. Prepare the cards and bell, then guide the body check and guessing game. Handle hunger and thirst with care: never assume what a learner has or has not eaten or drunk today, and never make a learner feel that noticing hunger or thirst is a problem. A body signal is always okay to have. If a learner names a signal, respond warmly and help them think about what to do next; if food or water is not available, help them name a trusted adult to tell.

Procedure

  1. Gather (5 min). Sit comfortably and get very still. Put a hand on your tummy. Listen. Does your body feel quiet and settled, or is it trying to tell you something?
  2. Meet three signals (15 min). A signal is a message your body sends. Meet three: hunger — a growling, empty tummy; thirst — a dry mouth and throat; tiredness — heavy eyelids, yawning, a slow, heavy body. Act out each signal with your face and body, and say where you feel it.
  3. Guessing game (10 min). When you hear a body message, point to the card it matches: “Your tummy growls” — hunger. “Your mouth feels dry” — thirst. “Your eyes want to close” — tiredness.
  4. Body check now (10 min). Close your eyes for a quiet moment. Which signal, if any, is your body sending right now? Name it to yourself, then share with a partner if you want. There is no right answer — noticing is the skill.
  5. Close (5 min). Your body talks to you all day. Listening to it is a way of being kind to yourself.

Differentiation

  • Support: Introduce one signal at a time and act it out together before moving on.
  • Extension: Ask learners to name where in the body each signal lives (tummy, mouth, eyes) and draw it.

Assessment

  • Formative (observation): Can the learner match hunger, thirst, or tiredness to its body feeling and name one signal their own body is sending?

Resources