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Santa's Attendance Squad

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Lesson Plan

Santa's Attendance Squad

Students will identify common barriers to consistent attendance and brainstorm practical, personalized strategies to improve their own attendance, understanding its impact on learning and success.

Consistent attendance is a key factor in academic achievement and building responsible habits. This lesson empowers students to take ownership of their attendance.

Audience

7th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Collaborative problem-solving activity

Materials

Santa's Attendance Squad Slide Deck, Attendance Challenge Activity, and Attendance Tracker

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review the Santa's Attendance Squad Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
    * Print copies of the Attendance Challenge Activity for each student or small group.
    * Prepare any optional festive decorations or background music to enhance the Christmas theme.
    * Review the generated materials to ensure they meet your classroom's specific needs and make any necessary adjustments.

Step 1

Warm-Up: The Naughty or Nice List

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: 'If Santa had an 'Attendance List,' what would be on the 'Naughty' side (things that make us miss school) and the 'Nice' side (things that help us come to school)?'
    * Record their ideas on the board or a large piece of paper. This will activate prior knowledge and set the context for the lesson.

Step 2

Introduction to Attendance Challenges

5 minutes

  • Use the Santa's Attendance Squad Slide Deck to introduce the idea of attendance as a 'mission' and the importance of being present.
    * Discuss how missing school, even for a day, can impact learning and connection with peers and teachers.
    * Transition to the main activity by explaining that they will become 'Santa's Attendance Squad' to help themselves and others improve their attendance.

Step 3

Activity: Attendance Challenge

15 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (2-3 students).
    * Distribute the Attendance Challenge Activity worksheet to each group.
    * Explain that each group will act as a 'squad' to identify common attendance barriers (e.g., waking up late, not feeling well, procrastination) and brainstorm practical, Christmas-themed solutions.
    * Encourage creative and realistic solutions. Circulate among groups to provide support and facilitate discussion.
    * After 10 minutes, bring the groups back together for a brief share-out.

Step 4

Share & Reflect

5 minutes

  • Have each group share one or two of their most creative or effective attendance strategies.
    * Conclude by emphasizing that everyone can be a part of 'Santa's Attendance Squad' by committing to being present and helping each other stay on track. Optionally, distribute an Attendance Tracker for students to set personal goals.
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Slide Deck

Santa's Attendance Squad

Be Present, Be Jolly!

Welcome students and introduce the fun, festive theme for today's activity. Ask them what 'squad' means to them.

Why Does Being Present Matter?

  • Learning is a gift you give yourself!
  • Every day counts for new knowledge.
  • Connecting with friends and teachers.
  • Building good habits for your future.

Discuss how attendance impacts learning, friendships, and overall success. Use the 'Naughty or Nice List' warm-up here.

Attendance Challenges: The 'Naughty List'

  • What makes it hard to get to school on time?
  • What are some common reasons for missing school?
  • How does missing even one day affect you?

Transition from the 'Naughty List' warm-up. Prompt students to think about common reasons they or others might miss school.

Become Santa's Attendance Squad!

Your mission, should you choose to accept it:

  • Identify attendance challenges.
  • Brainstorm creative solutions.
  • Help everyone stay on the 'Nice List' for attendance!

Introduce the idea of them becoming 'Santa's Attendance Squad' to tackle these challenges.

Let's Brainstorm Solutions!

Work with your team to come up with ideas for staying on track.

Think about:

  • What you can do.
  • What your family can do.
  • What your friends can do.
  • What school can do.

Explain the activity instructions and direct them to their worksheets.

Share Your Squad's Super Solutions!

Let's hear your best ideas!

  • What was your favorite solution?
  • How can we support each other?

Prepare for group sharing. Encourage active listening and positive feedback.

You're a Star Member of the Squad!

Remember, every day you're here is a day you're growing and shining! Keep up the great work!

Conclude by reiterating the importance of attendance and their role in their own success.

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Activity

Attendance Challenge Activity: Join Santa's Squad!

Your Mission: Work with your squad to identify reasons why students might miss school and come up with creative, festive solutions to help everyone stay on the 'Nice List' for attendance!

Part 1: The 'Naughty List' of Attendance Troubles

Think about common challenges that make it hard for students to come to school consistently or on time. List at least three different challenges.

  1. Challenge:


  2. Challenge:


  3. Challenge:


Part 2: Your Squad's 'Nice List' Solutions!

For each challenge you listed above, brainstorm a creative, Christmas-themed solution. How can we make sure everyone is present and ready to learn, just like elves preparing for Christmas?

Challenge 1: [Refer to your first challenge above]

  • Santa's Squad Solution:





Challenge 2: [Refer to your second challenge above]

  • Santa's Squad Solution:





Challenge 3: [Refer to your third challenge above]

  • Santa's Squad Solution:





Part 3: My Personal Attendance Pledge

From all the amazing ideas, choose ONE solution that you can implement to improve your own attendance or punctuality. Make a personal pledge!

My Chosen Solution:


How I will make it happen:





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Worksheet

Santa's Attendance Tracker: My Path to the Nice List!

Name: ________________________

My Attendance Goal for the Month: (e.g., "Be present every day," "Be on time every day," "Miss no more than 1 day.")



December Attendance Checklist

Color in a star for each day you are present and on time! Let's aim for a sky full of stars!

WeekMondayTuesdayWednesdayThursdayFriday
Week 1⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Week 2⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Week 3⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Week 4⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Week 5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Reflection

At the end of the month, reflect on your attendance.

  • How did you do with your goal? What helped you stay on track?





  • What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them (or how could you next time)?





  • What's one thing you'll do to continue being a great member of Santa's Attendance Squad?





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