Session 1 Script

1. Introduction to Goal Setting (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Good morning, everyone! Let’s begin our first session on goal setting. Please turn your attention to the screen. Here on slide 1, we have What is Goal Setting?

Teacher (reading slide):
• A process of identifying something you want to achieve
• Turning hopes into clear, actionable plans
• Involves planning, tracking, and adjusting until you succeed

Why it matters: Guides your efforts and keeps you focused.

Teacher: “In your own words, what does goal setting mean?”

Wait for 2–3 volunteers.

Teacher: “Thank you, [Student Name]. Those are great examples. Some of you said it’s about planning and staying on track. Exactly! Goal setting turns ideas into steps you can follow.”

Teacher: “Why do you think having a goal might help you in school or in life?”

Invite 2 more volunteers.

Teacher: “Excellent. You mentioned it helps with focus, motivation, and even confidence. Those are exactly the benefits we’re going to talk about next.”

2. Group Discussion on Motivations (15 minutes)

Teacher: “Now let’s look at slide 2: Why Set Goals?”

Teacher (reading bullets one by one, pausing for quick thumbs-up reactions):
• Increases motivation and focus
• Builds self-confidence and resilience
• Improves time management and planning skills
• Helps overcome obstacles with clear steps

Teacher: “Notice how each of these helps you in school and beyond.”

Teacher: “Next, we’ll dive deeper into what drives us. I’m going to display slide 3: What Motivates You? and hand out the Discussion Prompts Guide. You’ll work with a partner to discuss these two questions:”

• “What inspires you to work toward a goal?”
• “What obstacles or challenges do you face?”

Teacher: “Find a partner now. You have 5 minutes to discuss. After 5 minutes, I’ll ask you to switch partners and share anything new you’ve learned.”

Distribute Discussion Prompts Guide. Start timer for 5 minutes.

Teacher (at 5-minute mark): “Time to rotate! Find a new partner and compare your ideas for another 5 minutes.”

Teacher (after 10 minutes total): “Okay, let’s come back together. I’d like 3 groups to share one insight each. What inspired you? What obstacle came up?”

Call on 3 pairs to share briefly.

Teacher: “Thank you for sharing. Notice that our motivations are personal, and obstacles can be similar—knowing both helps us plan better.”

3. Worksheet Activity (20 minutes)

Teacher: “Now, please take out the Goal Reflection Worksheet. I’ll show slide 4: Activity: Reflect & Write.”

Teacher (reading slide):
• List 2–3 current academic or personal goals
• Rate your motivation for each (1 = low, 5 = high)
• Note any barriers or supports needed

Teacher: “You have 20 minutes to complete this. If you get stuck, think about these prompts: ‘What small step could I take today?’ or ‘Who could help me stay on track?’ If you need me, raise your hand and I’ll come over.”

Start 20-minute timer. Circulate to support and ask probing questions such as:
• “Why did you choose that goal?”
• “How confident do you feel on a scale of 1–5?”
• “What might help you move from a 2 to a 4?”

At 10 minutes: “You’re halfway there—keep going!”
At 5 minutes: “Start wrapping up your top goal—prepare to share.”

4. Share & Reflect (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Time’s up. Now, take a Post-it note and write the one goal you feel most motivated to work on. Include a short reason why it’s important to you.”

Teacher: “Who’d like to stick their note on the board and read theirs out loud?”

Invite 3–4 volunteers to place their notes and share.

Teacher: “Thank you. Class, please walk to the board, read each note, and add one positive comment or suggestion on a new Post-it.”

Teacher: “Let’s read one together.”
(Reads a sticky note and a comment.)
Teacher: “Notice how [specific feedback] helps make that goal stronger.”

5. Closure and Assignment (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s finish with our key takeaways. Displaying slide 5: Key Takeaways & Next Steps.”

Teacher (reading slide):

1. Goals give direction and purpose
2. Knowing your motivators helps you stay on track
3. Reflecting on barriers prepares you to overcome them

Teacher: “For homework, refine your top goal from today into a SMART goal—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound—and write it clearly on your worksheet. Bring your updated worksheet to Session 2.”

Teacher: “Any questions before we wrap up?”

Address any questions.

Teacher: “Great work today! I look forward to seeing your SMART goals next time.”

Goal Reflection Worksheet

Instructions

Reflect on your current academic and personal goals. For each goal, complete the sections below. Be specific and honest—this will help you set a clear path forward.

Goal 1

1. Describe your goal:

1. How motivated are you to achieve this goal? (Circle one)
   1 2 3 4 5
2. What barriers or challenges might you face?

1. What supports or resources do you have or need?

Goal 2

1. Describe your goal:

1. How motivated are you to achieve this goal? (Circle one)
   1 2 3 4 5
2. What barriers or challenges might you face?

1. What supports or resources do you have or need?

Goal 3 (Optional)

1. Describe your goal:

1. How motivated are you to achieve this goal? (Circle one)
   1 2 3 4 5
2. What barriers or challenges might you face?

1. What supports or resources do you have or need?

Reflection Questions

1. Which of these goals are you most committed to and why?

1. What is one small step you can take this week toward that goal?

1. Who can help you stay accountable, and how will you ask for their support?

1. How will you measure your progress and know you’re on track?

Bring this completed worksheet to Session 2. We will use it to craft your SMART goal and plan next steps.

Discussion Prompts Guide

Objective

Help students articulate personal motivations and identify obstacles, laying the groundwork for focused, meaningful goals.

Discussion Norms

• Respectful Listening: Look at your partner, avoid interrupting.
• Equal Voice: Give each person 2–3 minutes to share.
• Positive Tone: Use supportive language and open body posture.
• Confidentiality: What’s shared stays between partners unless permission is given to share.

Materials Needed

• Timer or stopwatch
• Printed copy of this guide for each student

Steps

1. Partner Up (1 minute)
   • Students find one partner and sit facing each other.
2. Round 1 Discussion (5 minutes)
   Prompt 1: “What inspires you to work toward a goal?”
   • Encourage detail: “Why does that spark your energy?”
3. Rotate Partners (1 minute)
   • Students find a new partner.
4. Round 2 Discussion (5 minutes)
   Prompt 2: “What obstacles or challenges do you face when working toward a goal?”
   • Ask: “What makes that obstacle tough? Have you faced it before?”
5. Whole-Class Share (5–7 minutes)
   • Invite 3–4 pairs to share one key insight from each prompt.
   • Record highlights on the board.

Prompts & Teacher Probes

Prompt 1: What inspires you to work toward a goal?

• Probe: “How did you first discover that motivation?”
• Follow-up: “How does that inspiration influence your daily choices?”

Prompt 2: What obstacles or challenges do you face?

• Probe: “What have you tried so far to overcome it?”
• Follow-up: “Who or what could help you push past this barrier?”

Sample Student Responses

• Motivation Example: “I want to make my family proud, so I work hard on my grades.”
• Obstacle Example: “I get distracted by social media and lose track of time.”

Teacher Tips

• Circulate Actively: Listen for common themes to highlight during the share-out.
• Encourage Specificity: If a student says “I’m lazy,” ask “What situations make you feel lazy?”
• Manage Time: Give gentle reminders at 2-minute and 1-minute warnings.
• Behavior Support: Praise on-task behavior and redirect students who dominate or disengage.

Use this guide alongside Session 1 Slide Deck to facilitate a focused, respectful discussion on motivations and obstacles.