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Aim High! Map Your Goals

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Christina Reyes

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Aim High! Map Your Goals

Students will learn to set SMART goals by exploring each criterion and then create a meaningful personal goal using a structured worksheet to boost motivation and self-confidence.

Teaching SMART goal setting empowers students to break big tasks into clear, manageable steps, fostering self-management, perseverance, and lifelong success skills in both academic and personal contexts.

Audience

5th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, modeling, and guided practice

Materials

SMART Goals Criteria Poster, Goal Planning Worksheet, Chart Paper and Markers, and Sticky Notes

Prep

Material Preparation

5 minutes

  • Print and display the SMART Goals Criteria Poster
  • Make copies of the Goal Planning Worksheet (one per student)
  • Prepare chart paper with five columns labeled S, M, A, R, T
  • Gather markers and sticky notes for group brainstorming

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

  • Ask students to think of a goal they achieved recently (academic, sports, hobby)
  • Invite volunteers to share their goals and how they reached them
  • Highlight challenges they faced and why planning was important

Step 2

Introduce SMART Criteria

8 minutes

  • Display the SMART Goals Criteria Poster
  • Explain each letter: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound
  • Divide class into five groups; assign each group one criterion and let them write a student-friendly definition on chart paper
  • Have each group share their definition and an example aloud

Step 3

Modeling a SMART Goal

5 minutes

  • Teacher models turning a vague goal ("I want to read more") into a SMART goal ("I will read two chapters of a book each evening for the next two weeks")
  • Highlight how the example meets all five criteria
  • Ask clarifying questions to reinforce understanding

Step 4

Independent Goal Setting

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Goal Planning Worksheet
  • Students choose a personal academic or personal goal and fill in each SMART component on the worksheet
  • Circulate to support and provide feedback as needed

Step 5

Share and Reflect

5 minutes

  • Pair students to share their completed SMART goals and one thing they found challenging
  • Invite a few students to share with the whole class
  • Conclude by asking: “How will having a SMART goal help you succeed?”
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Slide Deck

Aim High! Map Your Goals

Building SMART goals to achieve your dreams!

In this lesson you will:

  • Explore the SMART criteria
  • Practice turning a vague goal into a SMART goal
  • Create your own personal SMART goal

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Say: “Today we’re going to learn how to set goals that help us succeed by using the SMART framework.” Briefly review the agenda: warm-up, SMART criteria, modeling, independent work, and reflection.

Warm-Up: Reflect on a Recent Goal

• Think of a goal you achieved recently (academic, sports or hobby)
• What steps did you take to reach it?
• What challenges did you face along the way?

Explain that everyone has achieved goals before—even small ones—and that understanding how you did it can help you set stronger goals in the future.

What Are SMART Goals?

S – Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish?
M – Measurable: How will you track progress?
A – Achievable: Is it realistic?
R – Relevant: Does it matter to you?
T – Time-Bound: When will you finish?

Display the SMART Goals Criteria Poster. Walk through each letter, pausing to ask for a quick thumbs-up if they understand.

Group Activity: Define SMART

  1. In your group, pick one letter of SMART
  2. Write a student-friendly definition on chart paper
  3. Include a real-life example that matches your letter
  4. Be ready to share with the class

Divide the class into five groups, assigning each one letter. Provide chart paper and markers. Circulate to support group discussion.

Modeling a SMART Goal

Vague goal:
• I want to read more.

SMART goal:
• I will read two chapters of a book every evening for the next two weeks.

Model the thinking process out loud as you transform a vague goal into a SMART goal. Emphasize each criterion.

Your Turn: Plan Your SMART Goal

• Choose a personal academic or hobby goal
• Fill in each section of the worksheet:
– Specific
– Measurable
– Achievable
– Relevant
– Time-Bound

Hand out the Goal Planning Worksheet. Remind students to fill in all five SMART components. Offer help as they work.

Share & Reflect

• Pair up and explain your SMART goal
• Discuss one challenge you encountered
• Think: How will having a SMART goal help you succeed?

Ask students to pair up and share their SMART goals. Encourage them to discuss what was easy or challenging.

You’ve Got This!

Remember:
• Big dreams start with clear steps
• SMART goals keep you on track
• Celebrate each milestone along the way

Wrap up by praising their work and encouraging them to use SMART goals beyond this lesson.

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Reading

SMART Goals Criteria Poster

Use this poster to guide you as you create clear, focused goals that lead to real success.

S – Specific

Definition: Your goal states exactly what you want to accomplish. It answers the questions Who? What? Where? and Why?
• Who is involved?
• What do I want to accomplish?
• Where will this happen?
• Why is this important to me?

Example: I want to improve my reading skills by finishing one new chapter book each week.

M – Measurable

Definition: You can track your progress and know when you’ve reached your goal. It answers How much? How many? or How will I know when it’s done?

Example: I will record the number of chapters I read each day in my reading log, aiming for five chapters by Friday.

A – Achievable

Definition: Your goal is realistic and within your ability or resources. It answers Can I actually do this? What steps will make it possible?

Example: I will set aside 20 minutes after homework every day to read, so I have time to complete one chapter.

R – Relevant

Definition: Your goal matters to you and aligns with your priorities. It answers Why does this goal matter right now?

Example: Improving my reading will help me understand stories better in class and enjoy books more during free time.

T – Time-Bound

Definition: Your goal has a deadline or timeline. It answers When will I start and finish?

Example: I will read one chapter every night for the next three weeks, so I finish three books by the end of the month.

Keep this poster visible when you plan your SMART goals! Refer back to each letter to make sure your goal is clear, trackable, and motivating.

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Worksheet

Goal Planning Worksheet

Use this worksheet to plan your personal goal with SMART criteria. Refer to the SMART Goals Criteria Poster for definitions and examples.

My Personal Goal

Write a goal you want to achieve (academic, hobby, or personal):




1. Specific

Explain exactly what you want to accomplish. Answer Who? What? Where? Why?

  • What do you want to accomplish?




  • Who is involved?




  • Where will this happen?




  • Why is this important to you?




2. Measurable

Describe how you will track progress and know when the goal is reached. Answer How much? How many? How will you know?






3. Achievable

List steps or resources that will help you reach this goal. Is it realistic?






4. Relevant

Explain why this goal matters to you now. How does it connect to your priorities?






5. Time-Bound

Set a clear start date and deadline for your goal.

  • Start Date:



  • End Date:



Final SMART Goal

Combine your answers above to write a complete SMART goal statement:






Reflection

How will having this SMART goal help you succeed? What challenges might you face?








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