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Aim for Awesome

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Lesson Plan

Goal Getter Lesson Plan

Students will learn to set Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound (SMART) goals and create their own SMART goal for personal or academic growth.

Setting SMART goals empowers students to plan effectively, monitor progress, and reflect on outcomes, fostering self-regulation and academic success.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive mini-lesson with modeling, guided practice, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Activate Prior Knowledge

5 minutes

  • Begin with a brief discussion: ask students to share a goal they have (academic or personal)
  • Write responses on chart paper to highlight common goal themes
  • Introduce the concept of goal setting and why clarity matters

Step 2

Introduce SMART Criteria

7 minutes

  • Display the SMART Goals Anchor Chart
  • Explain each letter of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with examples
  • Encourage students to ask clarifying questions

Step 3

Guided Goal Creation

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet
  • Model setting a SMART goal on chart paper, demonstrating each criterion
  • Have students draft their own SMART goal using the worksheet prompts
  • Circulate to provide feedback and support

Step 4

Share and Reflect

5 minutes

  • Invite a few volunteers to share their SMART goals with the class
  • Provide positive feedback and suggestions for improvement
  • Highlight strengths and clarify any misconceptions

Step 5

Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Hand out the Goal Reflection Exit Ticket
  • Ask students to write one thing they learned about SMART goals and one goal they plan to set
  • Collect exit tickets as they leave to assess understanding
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Lesson Plan

Goal Setting Lesson Plan

Students will understand the value of goal setting, learn the SMART criteria, and create at least one personalized SMART goal for academic or personal growth.

Goal setting builds self-regulation, planning, and motivation skills, boosting students’ confidence and supporting academic success.

Audience

6th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive mini-lesson with discussion, modeling, and reflection.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Activate Prior Knowledge

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share recent goals they’ve set (academic or personal)
  • Record responses on chart paper to identify common goal themes
  • Discuss why having clear goals matters for success

Step 2

Introduce SMART Criteria

7 minutes

  • Display the SMART Goals Anchor Chart
  • Explain each element: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound
  • Provide one example goal and show how it meets each SMART criterion
  • Invite students to ask clarifying questions

Step 3

Guided Goal Creation

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet
  • Model creating a SMART goal on chart paper, thinking aloud through each step
  • Students draft their own SMART goal on the worksheet
  • Circulate, provide feedback, and help refine goals

Step 4

Share and Reflect

5 minutes

  • Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their drafted SMART goals with the class
  • Offer positive feedback and constructive suggestions
  • Highlight strong examples of SMART criteria

Step 5

Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Hand out the Goal Reflection Exit Ticket
  • Ask students to write one key insight about SMART goals and state one goal they will pursue
  • Collect exit tickets to assess understanding
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Slide Deck

Aim for Awesome: Goal Setting

• Why set goals?
• What makes a goal SMART?
• Create your own SMART goal
• Share & reflect
• Exit ticket

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce yourself and the topic: setting goals helps us grow and succeed. Briefly outline today’s agenda.

Activate Prior Knowledge

  1. Think of a goal you’ve set (academic or personal).
  2. Turn to your partner and share the goal.
  3. What makes that goal important to you?

Activate prior knowledge by having students think of a recent goal, then turn to a partner and share. Circulate to listen and prompt deeper thinking.

Why Set Goals?

• Provides direction and focus
• Increases motivation and confidence
• Helps track progress and celebrate success

Explain why goal setting matters: it builds planning skills and motivation. Ask students for examples of famous goals (athletes, inventors) to make it relatable.

What Is a SMART Goal?

Specific: clear and detailed
Measurable: tracks progress
Achievable: realistic and within reach
Relevant: matters to you
Time-bound: has a deadline

Introduce each element of SMART. Display the anchor chart and highlight one letter at a time. Invite a student volunteer to read each definition.

Example of a SMART Goal

“I will improve my math grade from a C to a B by completing 15 minutes of extra practice each day over the next 4 weeks.”

• Specific: improve math grade
• Measurable: C → B
• Achievable: 15 min/day practice
• Relevant: supports academic success
• Time-bound: 4 weeks

Walk through this example. Ask students to identify which part of the goal matches each SMART criterion.

Guided Goal Creation

  1. Use the worksheet prompts to write your own goal.
  2. Make sure it’s Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
  3. Underline each SMART component in your goal.

Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet. Model drafting a goal on chart paper, thinking aloud through each SMART element.

Share & Reflect

• Volunteers share their drafted SMART goal.
• Class offers positive feedback.
• What did you find challenging or easy?

Invite 2–3 volunteers to read their goals. Provide positive feedback and suggest refinements where needed. Highlight strong SMART elements.

Exit Ticket

On your exit ticket, write:

  1. One thing you learned about SMART goals.
  2. One SMART goal you plan to pursue this month.

Hand in as you leave.

Explain the exit ticket and remind students it helps you understand their learning. Collect tickets as they leave.

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Reading

SMART Goals Anchor Chart

Use this chart to remember how to write a strong, clear goal. Each letter in SMART helps you plan and track your progress!

🎯 S: Specific

  • Definition: Your goal is clear and detailed.
  • Ask: Who? What? Where? Why?
  • Example: “I will read for 20 minutes each evening after dinner.”

📏 M: Measurable

  • Definition: You can track progress and know when you’ve achieved your goal.
  • Ask: How much? How many?
  • Example: “I will complete 15 math problems every day and record my score.”

✅ A: Achievable

  • Definition: Your goal is realistic and within your abilities.
  • Ask: Can I do this? Do I have the resources?
  • Example: “I will improve my spelling test score by 5 points in the next two weeks by practicing with flashcards.”

🎓 R: Relevant

  • Definition: Your goal matters to you and fits with other plans or values.
  • Ask: Why is this goal important?
  • Example: “I will join the school debate club to build my confidence and improve my public speaking.”

⏳ T: Time-Bound

  • Definition: Your goal has a clear deadline or schedule.
  • Ask: When will I start and finish?
  • Example: “I will raise my science grade from a B to an A by the end of this grading period.”

Putting It All Together

“I will improve my math grade from a C to a B by completing 15 minutes of extra practice each day over the next 4 weeks.”
• Specific: improve math grade
• Measurable: C → B
• Achievable: 15 min/day practice
• Relevant: supports academic success
• Time-bound: 4 weeks

Keep this anchor chart visible while you write and refine your goals. Check off each SMART element before you finalize!

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Worksheet

SMART Goals Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _____________

Use this worksheet to draft each part of your SMART goal. Refer to the SMART Goals Anchor Chart if you need help!

1. Specific

What exactly do you want to accomplish? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Why is this goal important to you?






2. Measurable

How will you know when your goal is achieved? How much or how many will you do?






3. Achievable

Is this goal realistic for you? What steps or resources will help you reach it?






4. Relevant

Why does this goal matter to you? How does it fit with your values, interests, or other plans?






5. Time-Bound

What is your deadline? When will you start and when will you finish?






6. Full SMART Goal Statement

Write your complete SMART goal in one clear sentence. Then underline each component (S, M, A, R, T) in your goal.











7. (Optional) Challenge & Solution

What might be a challenge in achieving your goal, and how will you overcome it?






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Cool Down

Goal Reflection Exit Ticket

Name: _______________________ Date: _____________

  1. One thing I learned about SMART goals today:



  2. One SMART goal I plan to pursue this month (underline each SMART component – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound):







Thank you! Please hand this in as you leave.

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