lenny

Show Up Strong!

user image

Lesson Plan

Show Up Strong!

Students will understand the importance of consistent attendance for academic success and personal well-being, identify personal barriers to attendance, and explore strategies to overcome these barriers.

Consistent attendance is crucial for learning, building relationships, and accessing support. This lesson helps students recognize these benefits and develop coping mechanisms for challenges like anxiety, depression, or housing instability, empowering them to prioritize their education.

Audience

Middle and High School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, personal reflection, and strategy sharing.

Materials

Show Up Strong Slide Deck, Warm Up: Daily Check-In, Worksheet: My Attendance Journey, Discussion Guide: Overcoming Barriers, Cool Down: One Big Idea, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm Up: Daily Check-In

5 minutes

  • Begin with the Warm Up: Daily Check-In activity. Display the prompt on the screen or read it aloud.
    - Ask students to reflect on how they are feeling today and what might make today a good learning day.
    - Facilitate a brief, low-pressure share-out, emphasizing that participation is optional and creating a safe space.

Step 2

Introduction: Why Show Up Strong?

5 minutes

  • Use Slide 1 and Slide 2 of the Show Up Strong Slide Deck to introduce the lesson.
    - Explain that attendance is about more than just being physically present; it's about being present for themselves and their future.
    - Briefly discuss the benefits of attendance highlighted in the slides (learning, relationships, opportunities).

Step 3

Individual Reflection: My Attendance Journey

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Worksheet: My Attendance Journey.
    - Instruct students to complete the worksheet individually, reflecting on their own experiences with attendance, identifying personal benefits, and noting any barriers they face.
    - Reassure students that this is a personal reflection and they will only share what they are comfortable with.

Step 4

Group Discussion: Overcoming Barriers

8 minutes

  • Transition to the Discussion Guide: Overcoming Barriers using Slide 3 of the Show Up Strong Slide Deck.
    - Facilitate a small group or whole-class discussion (depending on comfort level and group size) based on the prompts in the discussion guide.
    - Focus on brainstorming practical strategies for overcoming common barriers, such as anxiety, depression, or logistical challenges related to housing.
    - Emphasize available school resources and support systems.

Step 5

Cool Down: One Big Idea

2 minutes

  • Conclude the lesson with the Cool Down: One Big Idea.
    - Ask students to share one key takeaway or one strategy they will try to implement regarding their attendance.
    - Thank students for their honesty and participation, reiterating that support is available.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Show Up Strong: Why Every Day Counts

Your Presence. Your Future. Your Power.

Welcome students and introduce the topic of attendance. Explain that 'showing up strong' means being present not just physically, but mentally, for themselves and their future. Set a positive, supportive tone.

Why Attendance Matters

  • Learn More, Stress Less: Every day in class helps you build knowledge and confidence.
  • Connect & Belong: School is a place to make friends and feel like part of a community.
  • Unlock Opportunities: Good attendance opens doors to new experiences and future success.
  • Access Support: Being present means you can get help when you need it from teachers and staff.

Discuss the various benefits of consistent attendance. Tailor your explanations to resonate with students who might be facing unique challenges. For example, 'Learning happens every day, and missing even a little bit can make it harder to catch up, causing more stress.' Or, 'Being here helps you connect with friends and adults who care about you and can support you.'

Overcoming Barriers: Your Strategies

It's not always easy to be here, and that's okay. What are some real challenges that make it hard to come to school consistently? What are some things that help you, or could help you, 'show up strong'?

Acknowledge that showing up every day can be hard, especially with significant personal challenges. Validate their feelings. Then, open the floor for discussion about strategies, emphasizing that solutions are often unique and that seeking help is a strength. Guide them to think about school resources.

lenny

Warm Up

Warm Up: Daily Check-In

Instructions: Take a moment to reflect on these questions. You can think about them quietly, write them down, or share if you feel comfortable.

  1. On a scale of 1-5, how are you feeling today? (1 = Low Energy, 5 = High Energy)



  2. What is one thing that could help make today a positive learning day for you?



lenny
lenny
Show Up Strong! • Lenny Learning