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Attendance Champions

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Lesson Plan

Attendance Champions Lesson Plan

Students will explore the impact of regular attendance, identify personal barriers, and develop a SMART attendance goal with actionable steps. By lesson end, each student creates a personalized action plan to improve their school attendance.

Regular attendance supports academic success, social connection, and long-term opportunities. This lesson empowers 6th graders to understand the value of being present, identify challenges, and take ownership of their attendance habits, fostering responsibility and self-advocacy.

Audience

6th Grade Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided discussion and personalized planning to empower attendance habits.

Materials

Attendance Importance Poster, Barrier & Solution Worksheet, Personal Attendance Plan Template, and Timer or Stopwatch

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Build Rapport and Introduction

5 minutes

  • Greet the student warmly and ask open-ended questions about their school experience
  • Explain the purpose of the session: to explore attendance and support their success
  • Emphasize that this is a safe, judgment-free space

Step 2

Discuss Importance of Attendance

5 minutes

  • Display Attendance Importance Poster
  • Ask the student to read key points aloud
  • Guide discussion on how attendance affects learning, friendships, and long-term goals
  • Encourage the student to share any personal experiences

Step 3

Identify Barriers

8 minutes

  • Hand out Barrier & Solution Worksheet
  • Prompt the student to brainstorm and list reasons they may miss school
  • Use probing questions to uncover challenges (e.g., health, transportation, motivation)
  • Ensure the student identifies at least three primary barriers

Step 4

Brainstorm Solutions and Set Goals

7 minutes

  • Review each barrier listed on the worksheet
  • Ask the student to propose realistic solutions for each barrier
  • Introduce SMART goal setting: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
  • Help the student convert one solution into a SMART attendance goal

Step 5

Create Personalized Attendance Action Plan

5 minutes

  • Distribute Personal Attendance Plan Template
  • Guide the student to fill in their SMART goal, action steps, support people, and schedule
  • Agree on a follow-up check-in date and method (e.g., weekly progress meeting)
  • Celebrate completion and offer words of encouragement
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Slide Deck

Welcome to Attendance Champions

In this session, we will:

  • Explore why attendance matters
  • Identify what gets in the way of coming to school
  • Brainstorm solutions and set a SMART goal
  • Create your personalized attendance action plan

Greet the student warmly. Explain that today’s session is a safe, judgment-free space. Outline the flow: importance of attendance, barriers, solutions, SMART goal, action plan.

Why Attendance Matters

  • Helps you learn and keep up with class
  • Builds friendships and teamwork skills
  • Keeps you on track for goals and dreams
  • Shows responsibility and commitment

Display this slide (or the Attendance Importance Poster). Ask the student to read aloud and share which point resonates most. Prompt examples: “How does being here help you?”

Identifying Barriers

What might keep you from coming to school? Brainstorm and list at least three barriers, for example:

  • Feeling tired or unwell
  • Lack of a ride to school
  • Feeling unmotivated or anxious

Hand out the Barrier & Solution Worksheet. Ask the student to brainstorm reasons they might miss school. Use probing questions (health, transport, motivation) to surface at least three barriers.

Brainstorming Solutions

For each barrier you listed, think of one or more ways to overcome it. For example:

  • Barrier: Feeling tired → Solution: Go to bed 30 minutes earlier
  • Barrier: No ride → Solution: Ask a neighbor or carpool buddy

Review each barrier listed. Prompt the student: “How could you overcome this?” Encourage realistic, student-led solutions and jot them next to each barrier on the worksheet.

Setting a SMART Attendance Goal

Specific: I will arrive at school by 8:00 AM every day.
Measurable: I will track my arrival time on a calendar.
Achievable: I can wake up 30 minutes earlier and pack my bag the night before.
Relevant: Being on time helps me succeed in class.
Time-bound: I will start this goal tomorrow and review it after two weeks.

Introduce SMART goal setting. Explain each letter, then guide the student to turn one solution into a SMART goal. Provide examples if needed.

Your Personalized Action Plan

Use the template to record:

  • Your SMART attendance goal
  • Action steps and strategies
  • People who can help you (e.g., family, teacher)
  • Check-in date and progress tracker

Hand out the Personal Attendance Plan Template. Guide the student to fill in their SMART goal, action steps, support people, and schedule. Confirm a follow-up check-in date.

Next Steps & Encouragement

Great job creating your plan!

  • Keep track of your progress daily
  • Reach out if you face new barriers
  • We’ll meet again on [date] to review how it’s going
    Every day you attend brings you closer to your goals!

Celebrate the student’s effort. Confirm the follow-up date and method (in person or quick chat). Encourage them and remind them every day matters.

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Worksheet

Barrier & Solution Worksheet

Instructions: Use this worksheet to identify reasons you might miss school and to brainstorm ways to overcome each barrier. For each barrier listed below, write down the barrier, at least one solution, and support people who can help you.

  1. Barrier 1:






    Solution(s) for Barrier 1:






    Who can help me? (People or resources):





  2. Barrier 2:






    Solution(s) for Barrier 2:






    Who can help me? (People or resources):





  3. Barrier 3:






    Solution(s) for Barrier 3:






    Who can help me? (People or resources):





Reflection: Which barrier do you think you can solve most easily and why?





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Worksheet

Personal Attendance Plan Template

Instructions: Use this template to record your SMART attendance goal, outline action steps, identify support people, set check-in dates, and reflect on your progress.

1. SMART Attendance Goal

Specific: I will…





Measurable: I will know I’m successful when…





Achievable: I can do this by…





Relevant: This matters because…





Time-bound: I will start on ___ and review on ___ (date):





2. Action Steps & Strategies

  1. Step 1:





  2. Step 2:





  3. Step 3:





3. Support People & Resources

Name/Role: ____________________ How they can help:





Name/Role: ____________________ How they can help:





4. Check-In Schedule

Check-in 1 (date): ____________________





Check-in 2 (date): ____________________





Check-in 3 (date): ____________________





5. Reflection & Next Steps

What’s going well?





What challenges did I face?





What will I do differently next time?





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Reading

Attendance Importance Poster

Regular attendance isn’t just about showing up—it’s about making the most of every day at school. When you come to school consistently, you build habits and skills that help you succeed now and in the future.

1. Learning & Academic Growth

  • Every lesson you attend brings you closer to understanding new ideas.
  • Missing class can mean missing vital information that helps you on quizzes, tests, and projects.
  • Being in class lets you ask questions, join discussions, and get help right away.

2. Friendships & Social Connections

  • School is where you meet and grow friendships that make learning fun.
  • Being present helps you work in groups and share ideas with classmates.
  • You learn important teamwork and communication skills when you’re there.

3. Responsibility & Life Skills

  • Arriving on time and showing up every day builds strong habits.
  • You practice planning (like getting ready the night before) and problem solving (finding a ride, managing time).
  • These habits prepare you for high school, college, and jobs later on.

4. Long-Term Goals & Success

  • Good attendance keeps you on track for achieving your dreams—like playing a sport, joining a club, or getting into a good college.
  • Employers and mentors look for people who show commitment and reliability.
  • Each day you attend is a step toward your future goals.

Reflection

Why do you think your attendance at school matters?




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