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Be Here, Be Awesome

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Bianca Gregorio

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Be Here, Be Awesome

Students will recognize how regular attendance boosts academic achievement, social belonging, and responsibility, then map its impact and set personal attendance goals.

Regular attendance ensures continuity in learning, strengthens friendships, and builds personal responsibility. By understanding its importance, 6th graders will feel motivated to attend daily, close learning gaps, and foster a supportive classroom community.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, hands-on activity, and personal reflection

Materials

  • Chart Paper, - Markers, - Sticky Notes, - Timer, - Attendance Impact Worksheet, and - Be Here Be Awesome Reflection Handout

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Attendance Impact Worksheet (one per student).
  • Print enough copies of Be Here Be Awesome Reflection Handout.
  • Prepare chart paper and markers for group brainstorming.
  • Pre-write the hook question (“What happens when you miss school?”) on chart paper.
  • Review both handouts to familiarize yourself with instructions and examples.

Step 1

Hook & Objective Introduction

5 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle at the front of the room.
  • Pose the question: “What happens when you miss school?”
  • Record responses on chart paper under “Consequences of Missing School.”
  • Read aloud the session objective: understanding attendance benefits and making personal attendance goals.

Step 2

Group Discussion

5 minutes

  • Divide the chart paper into three columns: Academic, Social, Personal.
  • Ask students to brainstorm examples for each column (e.g., missing lessons, losing friendships, feeling out of routine).
  • Use sticky notes for students to add ideas under each heading.
  • Briefly recap key points recorded.

Step 3

Mapping Attendance Impact Activity

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Attendance Impact Worksheet to each student.
  • Instruct students to list 2–3 specific examples under Academic, Social, and Personal sections.
  • Circulate and offer prompts (e.g., “How might missing one week of math affect your grades?”).
  • Invite a few volunteers to share one insight from their worksheet.

Step 4

Personal Commitment Reflection

7 minutes

  • Hand out the Be Here Be Awesome Reflection Handout.
  • Ask students to write:
    • One attendance goal for the term (e.g., no more than one absence).
    • Potential barriers (e.g., morning routine) and strategies to overcome them.
  • Encourage honesty and remind them this is for personal growth.

Step 5

Share & Closure

3 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 students to share their attendance goal and strategy.
  • Highlight common themes and reinforce the value of showing up every day.
  • Collect reflection handouts or allow students to display them at desks as reminders.
  • Thank students for their ideas and commitment to being here and being awesome!
lenny

Slide Deck

Be Here, Be Awesome

Why does attendance matter?
• Academic Success
• Social Connections
• Personal Responsibility

Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s topic with energy. Say: “We’re going to explore why being here every day makes you awesome!” Explain that by the end of this session, students will understand how attendance affects their learning, friendships, and personal growth.

Hook: What Happens When You Miss School?

• Think of times you’ve missed class.
• What did you miss out on?
• How did you feel when you returned?

Gather students in a circle. Pose the question aloud: “What happens when you miss school?” Encourage all ideas and record responses on chart paper.

Group Discussion

  1. Academic: Missing lessons, falling behind
  2. Social: Losing catch-ups, feeling left out
  3. Personal: Breaking routines, stress

Add your ideas on sticky notes and place them under each heading.

Split your chart paper into three columns labeled Academic, Social, Personal. Give each student sticky notes to brainstorm examples for each column. Prompt them if stuck.

Mapping Attendance Impact

On your worksheet:
• List 2–3 Academic impacts (e.g., missing week of math)
• List 2–3 Social impacts (e.g., not hearing a friend’s joke)
• List 2–3 Personal impacts (e.g., daily routine disrupted)

Share one insight with the class when you’re done.

Hand out the Attendance Impact Worksheet. Instruct students to write 2–3 specific impacts in each category. Circulate to offer examples and encouragement.

Personal Commitment Reflection

Write on your handout:

  1. One attendance goal (e.g., “I’ll miss no more than 1 day this term.”)
  2. Potential barriers (e.g., “Waking up late.”)
  3. Strategies to overcome them (e.g., “Set alarm earlier.”)

Distribute the Be Here Be Awesome Reflection Handout. Ask students to set one attendance goal, identify barriers, and propose strategies.

Share & Closure

• Share your attendance goal & strategy
• Notice how being here helps us all learn and connect
• Keep your handout visible as a reminder

Thank you for committing to be here and be awesome!

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their goal and strategy. Highlight common ideas and reinforce the power of showing up. Collect or let students display their reflections.

lenny

Activity

Attendance Impact Worksheet

Think about how missing school can affect you. In each section below, list 2–3 specific examples from your own experience or what you discussed in class.

Academic Impacts

(List 2–3 ways missing school can impact your learning)







Social Impacts

(List 2–3 ways missing school can impact your friendships or social life)







Personal Impacts

(List 2–3 ways missing school can impact your routines, feelings, or responsibilities)







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lenny

Worksheet

Be Here, Be Awesome Reflection Handout

Use this handout to set a clear attendance goal, anticipate challenges, and plan how you’ll stay on track. Be honest and specific!

1. My attendance goal for this term is:







2. Potential barriers that might make it hard for me to reach this goal (e.g., waking up late, feeling unmotivated):












3. Strategies I will use to overcome these barriers (e.g., set an early alarm, ask a friend to check in):












4. Why reaching this attendance goal is important to me:







5. My commitment statement:

I promise to show up, participate, and be present every day because:







6. My signature: __________________________ Date: ________________




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lenny