LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Identify different ways they can demonstrate independence, create a list of goals to help them enjoy high school, and challenge themselves.

HEALTH ED STANDARD

Demonstrate the ability to use goalsetting skills to enhance health. (NHES 6)

KEY VOCAB

independence, proportional, archive, cynical

Lesson Plan: 12 Things to Do Before 12th Grade

Who doesn’t love a good bucket list? Here are 12 inspired and fun things for teens to add to theirs.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

What do I want to accomplish for myself before graduation?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. Why is it important to learn how to cook something well? Strong cooking skills can help you take care of yourself and your friends. 
  2. How can getting your driver’s license help you develop independence? You can experience more autonomy when you don’t have to rely on your parents for rides everywhere. It’s a big responsibility that also brings fun and freedom. 
  3. Why is it important to contact your congressman about an issue? It’s easy to get cynical, but you need to make your voice heard if you want to make a difference about issues you care about.

Like What You See?

Then you'll love Choices, our health, social-emotional learning, and life-skills magazine for grades 7–12 

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. What is a physical challenge you could give yourself? Come up with a couple of ideas. Answers will vary. 
  2. What are some of the ways you could pay it forward? Brainstorm ideas of what you could do today to practice acts of kindness. List at least three. Answers will vary. 
  3. Out of the 12 ideas in the article, which appeals to you the most? How can you make sure that it happens? Answers will vary. 
  4. Why is it important to treat yourself, and what are some of the things you would like to do? Possible answers: If you work hard, you should be able to enjoy the rewards. I’d like to buy a new pair of basketball shoes that I’ve been looking at.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 8, NHES 6

In pairs or groups of three, have students create posters for each of the 12 bucket list items. Using the YOU SHOULD DO THIS handout, they’ll create an advertisement and a step-by-step guide for getting their classmates inspired to try something new.

ROLE PLAY

NHES 6

Some of the items are easy to do, and some require a bit of planning. Have students identify one of the items they could do in class—record a StoryCorps, write a letter to congress, set a physical challenge—and use the BUCKET LIST GOALS sheet to come up with a plan.

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