Lesson Plan
Attendance Champions Lesson Plan
Students will identify personal attendance barriers, reflect on emotions linked to missing school, and set specific, achievable goals to improve their attendance.
Regular attendance boosts academic success and emotional well-being. By exploring barriers and feelings, students build self-awareness and motivation to attend school consistently.
Audience
6th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Reflection, discussion, and goal-setting activities.
Materials
- Attendance Reflection Worksheet, - Goal-Setting Template, - Group Norms Poster, - Sticky Notes, and - Markers
Prep
Review Materials and Setup
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Attendance Reflection Worksheet and Goal-Setting Template.
- Display the Group Norms Poster where all students can see it.
- Gather sticky notes and markers for goal posting.
- Review students’ recent attendance data and any previous notes on attendance challenges.
Step 1
Introduction and Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Welcome students and re-establish group norms using the Group Norms Poster.
- Quick ice-breaker: ask each student to share one positive moment from their past week to create a supportive atmosphere.
Step 2
Identify Barriers and Emotions
10 minutes
- Distribute the Attendance Reflection Worksheet.
- Students individually list reasons they’ve missed school and note associated emotions (e.g., anxiety, boredom).
- In pairs, students share one barrier and emotion, while you circulate to highlight common themes.
Step 3
Set Attendance Goals
8 minutes
- Introduce the Goal-Setting Template and explain SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Model a goal (e.g., “I will arrive to first period on time at least 4 days next week”).
- Students write one short-term (this week) and one long-term (this month) attendance goal.
Step 4
Peer Support and Commitment
5 minutes
- Have students write each goal on a sticky note and place it on the “Commitment Board.”
- Pair students to serve as accountability partners and agree on a mid-week check-in.
- Encourage partners to offer supportive strategies and reminders.
Step 5
Closure and Assessment
2 minutes
- Conduct a quick verbal exit ticket: ask each student to state one strategy they will use to meet their goal.
- Collect reflection worksheets to review individual insights and plan follow-up.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Worksheet
Attendance Reflection Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: ___________
1. Think about the last time you missed school.
Describe what happened and why you stayed home.
2. List three reasons you’ve missed or thought about missing school. For each, write how you felt at the time.
Reason 1: ________________________________
How did you feel? __________________________
Reason 2: ________________________________
How did you feel? __________________________
Reason 3: ________________________________
How did you feel? __________________________
3. Circle any feelings you have experienced when thinking about coming to school:
anxiety boredom excitement fear frustration happiness sadness _other: ___________
4. What makes coming to school hard for you?
Write a few sentences describing any challenges or worries you have.
5. For each reason above, write one small thing you could try to make attending school easier.
• For Reason 1: _______________________________________________________
• For Reason 2: _______________________________________________________
• For Reason 3: _______________________________________________________
6. On a scale of 1 (not important) to 5 (very important), how important is it to you to attend school regularly?
Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5
7. What is one personal attendance goal you could set for yourself?
Write your goal below in a complete sentence.
Next Step: Use the Goal-Setting Template to turn your goal into a SMART goal and plan how you’ll meet it.
Worksheet
Goal-Setting Template
Name: _________________________ Date: ___________
1. My Attendance Goal
Write your goal in a complete sentence (e.g., “I will arrive to first period on time every day this week”).
2. Make Your Goal SMART
- Specific: What exactly will you do?
- Measurable: How will you know you’ve met it?
- Achievable: Why is this goal realistic for you?
- Relevant: How will improving attendance help you?
- Time-bound: By what date or within what time frame will you achieve this?
3. Action Steps
List three small, concrete steps you will take to reach your goal.
2. ______________________________
3. ______________________________
4. Potential Obstacles & Solutions
Obstacle 1: ____________________________
Solution: ______________________________
Obstacle 2: ____________________________
Solution: ______________________________
5. Support Network
Who can help remind or encourage you to meet your goal?
6. Review Date
Decide on a date to check your progress and adjust if needed.
Slide Deck
Attendance Champions
30-minute support group to identify barriers, reflect on feelings, and set attendance goals.
Welcome everyone to the Attendance Champions session! Briefly introduce yourself and explain that over the next 30 minutes we’ll identify what keeps us from coming to school, reflect on how it makes us feel, and set clear goals to improve our attendance.
Warm-Up: Positive Moment
Share one positive moment from your past week with the group to start on a high note.
Begin with an ice-breaker to build a positive, supportive atmosphere. Model your own positive moment first to get students comfortable sharing.
Group Norms
• Respect each other
• Listen actively
• Share honestly
• Support and encourage
• Keep confidentiality
Display the Group Norms Poster. Review each norm briefly and ask students to agree or add any reminders.
Identify Barriers & Emotions
On your worksheet:
- Describe the last time you missed school.
- List reasons you’ve missed or thought about missing school and note how you felt.
Distribute the Attendance Reflection Worksheet. Give students 5 minutes to complete sections 1 and 2 on their own.
Pair Share
In pairs:
• Share one barrier to attending school.
• Explain the emotion you felt at that time.
Look for common themes across stories.
Ask students to pair up. Circulate to listen in, validate feelings, and highlight themes you notice.
Set SMART Attendance Goals
Using the Goal-Setting Template:
• Write a short-term goal (this week)
• Write a long-term goal (this month)
Remember SMART: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
Introduce SMART goals. Define each letter and model an example: “I will arrive to first period on time at least four days next week.”
Peer Support & Commitment
- Write each goal on a sticky note and place it on the Commitment Board.
- Pair up as accountability partners and agree on a mid-week check-in time.
Provide sticky notes and markers. Guide students as they write and post their goals. Help them find compatible partners.
Closure & Exit Ticket
• Share one strategy you’ll use to meet your attendance goal.
• Turn in your reflection worksheet for review.
Wrap up by asking each student to share one concrete strategy they’ll use to meet their goal. Collect all reflection worksheets.
Activity
Group Norms Poster
Use this poster to remind everyone of our shared expectations. Display it prominently so all participants can refer to it throughout the session.
• Respect each other
Use kind words and a calm tone. Everyone’s voice matters.
• Listen actively
Give your full attention. Show you’re listening with eye contact and nods.
• Share honestly
Speak from your own experience. Use “I” statements (e.g., “I feel…”).
• Support and encourage
Offer positive feedback and helpful suggestions.
• Keep confidentiality
What’s shared here stays here. Trust is key to our group’s success.