• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In
lenny

Your Grades, Your Future

user image

malicea

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Your Grades, Your Future Lesson Plan

Students will understand the direct correlation between attendance and grades, identify personal barriers to consistent attendance and academic success, and develop actionable strategies to improve both.

Consistent attendance and good grades are fundamental to academic success and future opportunities, including college admissions and career readiness. This lesson empowers students to proactively manage their education.

Audience

11th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and practical strategy development in a small group setting.

Materials

Smartboard or Projector, Your Grades, Your Future Slide Deck, and Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Your Grades, Your Future Lesson Plan, Your Grades, Your Future Slide Deck, and Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet.
    - Ensure projector/smartboard is set up and functional.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Connect the Dots (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display a blank slide or ask: "What do you think is the connection between showing up to school every day and your grades?"
    - Facilitate a brief discussion, encouraging students to share initial thoughts and experiences.

Step 2

Introduction: Your Future Starts Now (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Use Your Grades, Your Future Slide Deck to introduce the topic.
    - Explain the objective: understanding how attendance and grades impact future opportunities.
    - Emphasize that this is a safe space to discuss challenges and find solutions.

Step 3

Deep Dive: The Ripple Effect (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Go through the slides detailing the ripple effect of attendance on grades, learning, and future.
    - Discuss common barriers to attendance and academic performance (e.g., lack of motivation, feeling overwhelmed, external factors).
    - Engage students with questions like: "What are some reasons students might miss school or struggle with grades?" and "How do these reasons connect?"

Step 4

Action Plan: Taking Control (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet.
    - Guide students to brainstorm personal strategies for improving attendance (e.g., setting alarms, finding an accountability partner) and grades (e.g., asking for help, time management).
    - Encourage them to write down 1-2 specific, achievable goals on their worksheet.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Commit to Success (2 minutes)

2 minutes

  • Ask students to share one goal they wrote down.
    - Reiterate that small changes can lead to big results.
    - Collect the Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet or allow students to keep them for personal reflection, depending on group needs and confidentiality.
lenny

Slide Deck

Your Grades, Your Future

What's the connection between showing up and success?

Welcome students and set a positive tone. Ask them to think about the connection between showing up and their success in school. This is a warm-up to get them thinking.

Today's Mission: Unlock Your Potential

Understanding the power of presence & performance.

  • How consistent attendance builds a strong academic foundation.
  • Identifying common hurdles.
  • Developing personalized strategies for success.

Introduce the lesson's objective. Emphasize that this is about empowering them to take control. Explain that consistent attendance and good grades are key to unlocking future doors.

The Ripple Effect: Attendance & Grades

Missing Class = Missing Out!

  • Missed Instruction: You can't learn what isn't taught.
  • Gaps in Knowledge: Each lesson builds on the last.
  • Lower Grades: Directly impacts performance on assignments and tests.
  • Lost Opportunities: College, scholarships, career paths often check attendance and grades.

Dive into the core concept. Discuss how missing class leads to missed information, which then impacts understanding and grades. Also, mention the cumulative effect.

What Gets in the Way?

Sometimes it's tough to get to school or keep up with work.

Common Hurdles:

  • Feeling overwhelmed or stressed.
  • Lack of motivation.
  • External responsibilities (family, work).
  • Health issues (physical or mental).
  • Difficulty understanding material.

Which of these resonate with you or people you know?

Acknowledge that life happens, but encourage students to identify what they can control. Ask for student input on common challenges, then guide them to think about solutions.

Taking Control: Strategies for Success

You have the power to change your trajectory!

Boosting Attendance:

  • Set multiple alarms.
  • Find an accountability partner.
  • Prepare the night before.
  • Communicate with teachers/counselors about challenges.

Improving Grades:

  • Attend class regularly (this is number one!).
  • Ask questions when you don't understand.
  • Utilize tutoring or extra help sessions.
  • Manage your time effectively.
  • Break down big assignments.

Shift to solutions. Brainstorm practical strategies with the students. Encourage them to think about what they can realistically implement.

Your Personal Action Plan

What's ONE thing you can commit to improving this week or month?

  • Think about one attendance goal.
  • Think about one grade goal.
  • Write it down! Make it specific and achievable.

(See Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet)

This slide is for their personal reflection and goal setting. Introduce the worksheet.

Small Steps, Big Impact!

Every day you show up is a step towards your future. Every effort you make improves your learning.

You've got this!

Conclude by reiterating the main message and encouraging them to apply what they've learned. Thank them for their participation.

lenny

Worksheet

Attendance & Grades Reflection Worksheet

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

Part 1: Reflecting on Attendance

  1. On a scale of 1-5 (1 = rarely, 5 = always), how consistently do you attend all of your classes?


    1   2   3   4   5



  2. What are some of the main reasons you might miss a class or be late to school?






  3. How do you think missing class impacts your understanding of the material and your overall grades?






Part 2: Reflecting on Grades

  1. Overall, how satisfied are you with your current grades? (1 = very unsatisfied, 5 = very satisfied)


    1   2   3   4   5



  2. What are some challenges you face when trying to keep up with assignments or study for tests?






  3. How do you think your attendance habits might connect to your academic performance and grades?






Part 3: Your Action Plan

What is ONE specific, achievable goal you will set to improve your attendance this week/month?

My Attendance Goal:





What is ONE specific, achievable goal you will set to improve your grades this week/month?

My Grades Goal:





How will achieving these goals help you in your future (e.g., college, career, personal growth)?











lenny
lenny