Students will understand the importance of consistent attendance for academic success and personal growth, identify strategies for ensuring regular attendance, and reflect on the impact of their own attendance habits.
Consistent attendance is a foundational life skill that directly impacts academic achievement, social connections, and future opportunities. This lesson helps students recognize these connections and take ownership of their presence.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, self-reflection, and practical strategy identification.
Materials
Why Show Up? Attendance Power-Up! Slide Deck, Attendance Check-In Warm Up, My Attendance Commitment Journal, and One Word Wonders Cool Down
Distribute the Attendance Check-In Warm Up to each student. 2. Instruct students to complete the warm-up individually. 3. Briefly discuss a few responses as a class to gauge initial thoughts on attendance.
Step 2
Introduction: Why Are We Here?
5 minutes
Project the first slide of the Why Show Up? Attendance Power-Up! Slide Deck. 2. Ask students: "What does 'showing up' mean to you in school?" Allow for a few quick responses. 3. Explain that today's lesson is about understanding the power and importance of consistent attendance.
Step 3
Discussion & Slides: The Power of Presence
10 minutes
Use the Why Show Up? Attendance Power-Up! Slide Deck to guide a discussion on why attendance matters. 2. Cover points like academic success, social connections, missing out on fun, and developing responsibility. 3. Encourage students to share examples of how good or poor attendance has affected them or others (without naming names). 4. Brainstorm and discuss practical strategies for improving attendance (e.g., setting alarms, preparing the night before, communicating with teachers/parents).
Step 4
Journal Activity: My Attendance Commitment
7 minutes
Distribute the My Attendance Commitment Journal. 2. Instruct students to read the prompt and reflect on their own attendance habits and set a personal goal. 3. Encourage honest self-assessment and thoughtful responses.
Step 5
Cool-Down: One Word Wonders
3 minutes
Distribute the One Word Wonders Cool Down. 2. Ask students to complete the cool-down by summarizing their key takeaway from the lesson in one word or short phrase. 3. Collect cool-downs as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Why Show Up? Your Attendance Power-Up!
Understanding the real value of being there, every day!
Welcome students and introduce the lesson's theme: the importance of attendance.
Quick Check-In!
What does consistent attendance mean to you?
How does it feel when you miss something important at school?
Project this slide and give students a few minutes to complete the Attendance Check-In Warm Up. Then facilitate a brief discussion.
Attendance: More Than Just Being There!
It's about:
Academic Success: Missing class means missing new information, discussions, and instructions.
Social Connections: Being with friends, participating in group activities, and building relationships.
Skill Building: Learning responsibility, punctuality, and commitment.
Future Opportunities: Good habits now lead to success later, in high school and beyond!
Begin the discussion on the importance of attendance. Ask students for their initial thoughts before revealing the points.
Your Attendance Playbook!
How can YOU ensure you show up ready to learn?
Set alarms (and actually get up!)
Prepare the night before (backpack, clothes, lunch)
Talk to your teachers or parents if you're struggling.
Get enough sleep!
Eat a good breakfast!
Facilitate a brainstorm session for practical strategies. Encourage students to share what helps them get to school on time and regularly.
My Attendance Commitment
Time to reflect and set a personal goal. How will you power up your attendance?
In one word or a short phrase, what is your biggest takeaway about attendance today?
Wrap up the lesson with the cool-down activity. Distribute the One Word Wonders Cool Down and collect them as students leave.
Warm Up
Attendance Check-In: Your Daily Presence
Think about what it means to be present and ready for school each day.
On a scale of 1 to 5, how important do you think coming to school every day is? (1 = Not important at all, 5 = Extremely important)
What is one reason why showing up to class every day is important for your learning?
What is one thing that helps you get to school on time and ready to learn?
Journal
My Attendance Commitment
Reflect on your attendance so far this school year and what you've learned about its importance today.
Describe one benefit of having good attendance that resonates with you the most. Why is this particular benefit important to you personally?
What is one challenge you sometimes face that might make it hard to come to school or be on time? (e.g., feeling tired, forgetting homework, distractions at home)
Based on what we discussed, write down one specific strategy you will try to improve or maintain your attendance for the rest of the school year. How will you put this strategy into action?
My Attendance Goal: I commit to...
Cool Down
One Word Wonders: Attendance Takeaway
In one word or a very short phrase, what is the most important thing you learned or re-realized about attendance today?
