Show Up Lesson Plan Show Up to Grow Up
Empowering 12th graders to take control of their education.
Tier 1 Lesson
Grade 12 | 30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Consistent attendance is crucial for academic achievement, skill development, and accessing future opportunities. This lesson helps students understand the direct impacts of their choices and empowers them to take control of their educational journey.
Objective
Students will be able to identify the short-term and long-term consequences of skipping classes and develop strategies to improve attendance and engagement.
Preparation & Materials
Quick Check Warm Up (1 per student)
Staying On Track Worksheet (1 per student)
Cool Down Exit Ticket (1 per student)
Projector & Slide Deck
Teacher Prep (10 min)
Review slide deck, script, and worksheets. Ensure projector is functional and copies are ready.
Instructional Sequence
05 Mins
Introduction & Warm-Up
Display the title slide of the Show Up to Grow Up Slide Deck .
Distribute the Warm Up: Quick Check to each student.
Instruct students to complete individually. Collect after a few minutes to gauge baseline thoughts without judgment.
10 Mins
Understanding Consequences
Transition to Slide 2: The Domino Effect .
Initiate a brief class discussion based on warm-up themes (anonymous). Ask: "What are some immediate things that happen when you miss a class?" and "What about long-term impacts?"
Advance through Slides 3-5 discussing academic, social, and future opportunity consequences.
10 Mins
Strategies for Success
Move to Slide 6: Your Game Plan and distribute the Staying On Track Worksheet .
Guide students through brainstorming personal strategies (alarms, accountability partners, identifying their "why").
Allow 5 minutes for independent work.
05 Mins
Wrap-Up & Cool Down
Display Slide 7: Show Up to Grow Up .
Distribute the Cool Down exit ticket for reflection on takeaways and action steps.
Collect exit tickets as students leave.
Show Up Slides Grade 12 | Tier 1 Lesson
Show Up
To Grow Up
Understanding the Impact of Your Presence (or Absence)
The Domino Effect
"Every absence creates a ripple."
What happens when the first piece falls?
Academic Impact
Missed instruction and live explanations
Falling behind on core assignments
Lower cumulative grades and test scores
Increased stress and anxiety trying to "catch up" on your own.
Social & Emotional
Disconnection
Feeling isolated or "out of the loop" with classmates and teachers.
Missed Collaboration
Missing out on group projects, inside jokes, and shared experiences.
Attendance isn't just a number—it's connection.
Future Opportunities
12TH GRADE MATTERS
College & Career
Attendance records follow you to admissions and scholarships.
Work Habits
Developing reliability now creates high-value habits for future employment.
Special Projects
Eligibility for extracurriculars, awards, and exclusive opportunities.
Your Game Plan
This isn't about shame. It's about empowerment.
Set multiple alarms
Accountability partner
Find your "WHY"
Prep the night before
Show Up
To Grow Up
Your presence matters.
Make the choice today.
Quick Check Warm Up Warm Up: Quick Check
Show Up to Grow Up | Attendance Reflection
Name:
Date:
Take a few moments to honestly answer the following questions. There are no right or wrong answers—this is just for you to reflect on your current mindset.
1. On a scale of 1 to 5, how important do you think attending all your classes is for your overall success in school?
Not Important
1
2
3
4
5
Extremely Important
Briefly explain why you chose that number:
2. What's one reason you might consider skipping a class?
Be honest—no judgment here.
3. What's one positive thing that comes from consistently attending your classes?
Staying On Track Worksheet Staying On Track
My Attendance Game Plan
Name:
Reflect on today's discussion and think about how you can take ownership of your attendance. Remember: Your presence matters.
Part 1: Reflecting on Consequences
Short-Term Impacts
What happens within 24-48 hours of skipping?
Long-Term Impacts
How does this ripple into your future self?
Part 2: Building Your Game Plan
1. Identify Your "WHY"
What is your primary motivation for finishing high school strong? (e.g., college, a specific job, proving something to yourself, etc.)
2. Manage the Obstacles
What is one thing that often makes you want to skip, and how will you beat it?
3. Recruitment
Who is one person (friend, family, teacher) who can help keep you accountable?
4. The "Night Before" Routine
Write down one small habit you'll start tonight to make showing up tomorrow easier.
"80% of success is showing up."
Attendance Talk Script Facilitation Script
Show Up to Grow Up | Tier 1 Attendance
Teacher Resource
How to use this script:
Text in bold is intended to be spoken. Text in orange/underlined indicates a slide transition or visual cue. Text in brackets are instructional notes.
00:00 - 05:00
Cue: Show Title Slide
"Good morning, everyone! Welcome. Today, we're going to talk about something really important for your success, not just in this class, but in high school and beyond: showing up. I know it sounds simple, but consistent attendance has a huge ripple effect on your learning, your opportunities, and even your future."
[Pass out the Quick Check Warm Up.]
"First, I've got a quick check-in for everyone. Read the questions carefully and answer them honestly. Don't overthink it, just write down your initial thoughts. This isn't for a grade—it's just for me to get a sense of where we're starting. You have about 3 minutes."
05:00 - 15:00
Cue: Slide 2 - The Domino Effect
"Alright, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I've noticed a few interesting trends in your responses, and it seems like many of you already have a good sense of why this topic matters. Let's start with a quick thought: what are some of the immediate things that happen when you miss a class?"
[Pause for student responses. Guide discussion toward academic and social impacts.]
Cue: Slide 3 - Academic Impact
"When you're not here, you miss direct instruction and those little tips teachers give you in person. That can quickly lead to falling behind, lower grades, and then a whole lot of stress trying to catch up later. It's like trying to build a tower with missing pieces—eventually, it gets shaky."
Cue: Slide 4 - Social & Emotional Impact
"It's not just about grades. Being present also means you're connected to the community. When you're absent, you can feel isolated or lose motivation because you're out of the loop. Has anyone ever felt that way after missing a few days?"
Cue: Slide 5 - Future Opportunities
"For you, as seniors, attendance is a habit. This impacts college applications, scholarships, and even jobs. Colleges look at attendance because it shows responsibility. Showing up consistently is a fundamental life skill."
15:00 - 25:00
Cue: Slide 6 - Your Game Plan
[Pass out the Staying On Track Worksheet.]
"Now let's focus on the solutions. Take about 5-7 minutes to work through this worksheet. Think about specific strategies that would work for YOU—maybe multiple alarms, a study partner, or just being clear on your 'why'. Personalize it."
25:00 - 30:00
Cue: Slide 7 - Show Up to Grow Up
Show Up Cool Down Cool Down: Exit Ticket
Show Up to Grow Up
Name:
1. What is ONE key takeaway you will remember about the importance of showing up to class?
2. Write down ONE specific action you will take to improve your attendance or engagement this week.
Please hand this to your teacher as you leave.
YOUR FUTURE MATTERS
Cool Down: Exit Ticket
Show Up to Grow Up
Name:
1. What is ONE key takeaway you will remember about the importance of showing up to class?
2. Write down ONE specific action you will take to improve your attendance or engagement this week.
Please hand this to your teacher as you leave.
YOUR FUTURE MATTERS
