LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Read opposing viewpoints and take a side; evaluate the pros and cons of getting an excused absence from school for mental health.

HEALTH ED STANDARDS

NHES 2: Evaluate ways that school can affect personal health

 

CASEL: Social awareness

KEY VOCAB

stigma

vulnerable

self-harm

Lesson Plan: Should You Get a Mental Health Day?

Weigh the pros and cons of getting an excused absence from school for mental health.

Table of Contents:

1. Preparing to Read

2. Reading and Discussing

3. Building Comprehension and Vocabulary

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

1. Preparing to Read

Before you read the debate “Should You Get a Mental Health Day?” ask your students the following pre-reading question:

What are the pros and cons of having an excused absence for mental health?

2. Reading and Discussing

  • Have your students read the debate, “Should You Get a Mental Health Day?” independently; read the article out loud to them; or have one student read one side of the debate and another student read the other side.
  • After they’ve read the debate, revisit the pre-reading question. Have their answers changed? Remind them to vote in the poll at the end of the story.
  • Next, have your students answer the Close-Reading and Critical-Thinking questions, either working in small groups or independently.


Close-Reading Questions
The following questions can be shared in printable or interactive form from the Resources tab. 

  1. According to Ebbie, what is one reason that students should be given a mental health day?
  2. In William’s opinion, why could it be dangerous for a student to stay home for a mental health day?

Critical-Thinking Questions

  1. Do you think your school has an effective approach to helping students manage mental health struggles? Why or why not?
  2. In your opinion, should there be excused absences for mental health? Why or why not?

3. Building Comprehension and Vocab

Check students’ comprehension of and engagement with the story with the following assessment tools:

  • Quiz

  • Vocab Builder

4. Expanding SEL Opportunities

Continue the learning journey with the following extension activity: 

Spark some more interaction in a SILENT POSTER DISCUSSION activity! Students should begin by working in small groups to create a poster that clearly displays their position in the debate, along with a mix of their own ideas and information from the article to support their position. Once the posters are complete, facilitate discussion by having students walk around the room looking at each other’s posters and leaving Post-its to agree, disagree, or add to one another’s ideas.

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