Lesson Plan
Stepping Into School
Students will identify personal root causes of school avoidance and collaboratively develop personalized coping strategies and an actionable plan to improve attendance consistency.
This lesson supports students facing school avoidance by normalizing their experiences, building peer support, and equipping them with concrete tools to reduce anxiety and increase engagement.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introductions
5 minutes
Step 2
Explore Root Causes
7 minutes
Step 3
Peer Sharing & Support
8 minutes
Step 4
Practice Coping Strategies
7 minutes
Step 5
Action Planning & Closing
3 minutes
Lesson Plan
Bounce Back to School
Students will pinpoint their personal triggers for avoiding school, learn and practice three coping strategies to manage their anxiety, and create a concrete attendance goal to try in the coming week.
Understanding root causes of school avoidance and gaining practical coping tools builds student confidence, reduces anxiety around attendance, and fosters peer support to re-engage with school.
Audience
Time
Approach
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introductions
5 minutes
Step 2
Explore Root Causes
7 minutes
Step 3
Peer Sharing & Support
8 minutes
Step 4
Practice Coping Strategies
7 minutes
Step 5
Action Planning & Closing
3 minutes
Slide Deck
Bounce Back to School
Group Norms & Icebreaker
Root Causes of School Avoidance
Identifying Your Triggers
Peer Sharing & Support
Practice Coping Strategies
Action Planning & Closing
Activity
Worksheet
Activity
Worksheet
