Lesson Plan
Goal Setting Lesson Plan
Students will define goals, articulate why setting goals matters, and create at least one SMART goal for academic or personal success.
By learning to set SMART goals, students build planning skills, boost motivation, and practice self-regulation, laying the foundation for lifelong achievement.
Audience
6th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, collaborative activity, and individual reflection.
Materials
Goal Setting Worksheet, SMART Goals Poster, Chart Paper and Markers, and Pencils
Prep
Materials Preparation
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Goal Setting Worksheet for each student
- Display the SMART Goals Poster at the front of the room
- Arrange chart paper and markers at each table
- Review SMART goal criteria and anticipated student responses
Step 1
Introduction to Goals
5 minutes
- Ask: “What is a goal?” and record student ideas on chart paper
- Reference the SMART Goals Poster to introduce goal-setting criteria
- Emphasize that goals guide effort and help measure progress
Step 2
Why Goals Matter
5 minutes
- Facilitate a whole-class discussion: Why do people set goals?
- Elicit examples (sports, school projects, hobbies)
- Highlight benefits: motivation, focus, achievement
- Quick check: thumbs up/down if they’ve ever set a personal goal
Step 3
SMART Goals Activity
10 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 at chart paper stations
- Each station has a sample vague goal; groups rewrite it as a SMART goal on chart paper
- Circulate to prompt with questions: Is it specific? How will you measure it?
- Differentiation:
- Provide sentence starters (e.g., “I will… by…”) for students needing support
- Challenge advanced learners to write two SMART goals instead of one
Step 4
Individual Reflection
5 minutes
- Students complete the bottom half of their Goal Setting Worksheet
- One academic SMART goal
- One personal SMART goal
- Provide one-on-one support for ELL or struggling students (e.g., bilingual glossary, verbal prompts)
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Assessment
5 minutes
- Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their SMART goals with the class
- Peer feedback: classmates give one positive comment and one question
- Collect worksheets for formative assessment: check that each goal meets SMART criteria
- Note students who may need additional support or extension
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Slide Deck
Goal Quest
Setting SMART Goals for Success
30-Minute Lesson • 6th Grade
Welcome everyone! Today we're embarking on a Goal Quest. Use this slide to introduce yourself and set a positive tone. Invite students to listen for what they’ll learn.
Lesson Objectives
• Define what a goal is
• Explain why setting goals matters
• Identify the SMART criteria
• Create one academic and one personal SMART goal
Read each objective aloud. Emphasize that by the end of class, they’ll know what goals are, why they matter, and how to write their own SMART goals.
What Is a Goal?
In your own words, what is a goal?
• Think-pair-share: 30 seconds to discuss with a partner
• Come back together to share ideas
Ask students to turn and talk for 30 seconds, then share aloud. Record key phrases on chart paper.
Why Do Goals Matter?
• Goals give us direction and purpose
• Goals boost motivation and focus
• Goals help us measure progress and celebrate success
Guide discussion: ask for examples from sports, school, hobbies. Highlight the three benefits: motivation, focus, achievement.
SMART Goals Criteria
S – Specific: Clear and detailed
M – Measurable: I can track progress
A – Achievable: Realistic for me
R – Relevant: Meaningful and important
T – Time-Bound: Has a deadline
Point to the displayed SMART Goals Poster as you review each letter. Ask for student examples for S and M.
Group Activity: Rewrite Goals
- At your station, find the sample vague goal
- Work with your group to make it SMART on the chart paper
- Check: Is it specific? How will you measure it?
Divide students into groups of 3–4 at chart paper stations. Each group rewrites a vague goal as SMART. Circulate and prompt with questions.
Individual Reflection
On your Goal Setting Worksheet:
• Write one academic SMART goal
• Write one personal SMART goal
Distribute worksheets. Remind students the bottom half is for their own goals. Offer sentence starters: “I will… by….”
Share & Wrap-Up
• Volunteer to share one of your SMART goals
• Peer feedback: +1 positive, +1 question
• Turn in your worksheet for review
Invite 2–3 volunteers to read their goals. Have peers give one positive comment and one question. Collect worksheets as students pack up.
Worksheet
Goal Setting Worksheet
Part 1: Understanding Goals
-
In your own words, what is a goal?
-
List three examples of goals (in school, sports, hobbies, etc.):
a. _________________________________
b. _________________________________
c. _________________________________
Part 2: Creating SMART Goals
Use the SMART criteria on the SMART Goals Poster to guide your planning.
A) Academic SMART Goal
Specific
What exactly do you want to accomplish?
Measurable
How will you know you’ve succeeded?
Achievable
Is this goal realistic for you?
Relevant
Why is this goal important to your academic success?
Time-Bound
By when will you achieve this goal?
My complete academic SMART goal:
B) Personal SMART Goal
Specific
What exactly do you want to achieve?
Measurable
How will you measure your progress?
Achievable
Is this goal realistic for you?
Relevant
Why is this goal meaningful to you?
Time-Bound
By when will you achieve this goal?
My complete personal SMART goal:
Activity
SMART Goal Rewrite
Time: 10 minutes
Materials: Chart paper, markers, and slips with sample vague goals
Instructions:
- Divide into groups of 3–4 and sit at a chart paper station.
- Each station has three slips, each with a vague goal (see list below).
- As a group, pick one vague goal and discuss how to make it SMART. Use the SMART Goals Poster as a guide:
- Specific: What exactly will you do?
- Measurable: How will you track progress?
- Achievable: Is it realistic?
- Relevant: Why does it matter?
- Time-Bound: What is the deadline?
- On your chart paper, rewrite the vague goal into a complete SMART goal.
- When you finish, walk clockwise to the next station, read their SMART goal, and leave one sticky-note positive comment.
Sample Vague Goals (one per slip):
- "Get better at math."
- "Read more books."
- "Be healthier."
Challenge: If your group finishes early, pick a second vague goal and make it SMART!
Reading
SMART Goals Poster
Use the SMART criteria to set clear, motivating goals!
S – Specific 🎯
Describe exactly what you want to accomplish.
- Ask yourself: What will I do? Who is involved? Where will it happen?
M – Measurable 📏
Decide how you will track your progress.
- Ask yourself: How much or how many? What evidence will show I’m making progress?
A – Achievable 🚀
Make sure your goal is realistic and within your ability.
- Ask yourself: Can I do this with the resources and time I have?
R – Relevant 🌟
Choose a goal that matters to you and fits your life.
- Ask yourself: Why is this goal important? How does it align with my values?
T – Time-Bound ⏰
Set a clear deadline for reaching your goal.
- Ask yourself: When will I finish? What is my target date?
Remember: A SMART goal turns your ideas into action steps you can follow!
Warm Up
Goal Quick Write
Time: 2 minutes
In your warm-up journal, quickly respond to the prompts below. Be concise—you have 60 seconds!
-
What is a goal?
-
Write down one goal you’ve set for yourself (school, sports, hobbies, etc.).
Cool Down
Goal Reflection Exit Ticket
Name: ________________________ Date: ___________
-
What is one important lesson you learned about goals today?
-
Write one academic or personal SMART goal you plan to work on.
-
Which SMART criterion did you find easiest to understand? Which was most challenging?
Easiest: _________________________________
Challenging: _________________________________
- What is one action step you will take this week to move closer to your goal?