Lesson Plan
Dream Big Resource Plan
Students will learn the SMART acronym and criteria, draft both academic and personal SMART goals, collaborate to refine each other's goals, and receive feedback to enhance accountability and motivation.
Setting SMART goals empowers students to clarify objectives, build planning skills, and increase motivation. Small-group scaffolding and peer feedback support engagement and accountability.
Audience
8th Grade Small Group
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided instruction and collaborative practice.
Materials
Prep
Review Materials
5 minutes
- Familiarize yourself with the SMART Goals Intro Slide Deck.
- Print enough copies of the Dream Big SMART Goals Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare stations or chart paper for the Peer Review Carousel Activity.
Step 1
Introduction to SMART Goals
5 minutes
- Display the SMART Goals Intro Slide Deck.
- Define each SMART criterion (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound).
- Ask students for examples of vague vs. SMART goals.
Step 2
SMART Goal Drafting
10 minutes
- Distribute the Dream Big SMART Goals Worksheet.
- Have students write one academic and one personal goal, applying each SMART component.
- Circulate to provide targeted support and prompt elaboration.
Step 3
Peer Review Carousel
10 minutes
- Organize students into two circles (inner & outer).
- At each rotation, students exchange worksheets and use the Peer Review Carousel Activity to give constructive feedback on SMART alignment.
- Rotate until each student has reviewed multiple peers.
Step 4
Reflection and Next Steps
5 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share refined goals and describe why they’re SMART.
- Discuss strategies for tracking progress (e.g., journals, apps).
- Encourage students to set check-in dates and commit to an accountability partner.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
What Are SMART Goals?
SMART goals help us set clear objectives that we can actually achieve.
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound
Welcome students! Today we’re exploring SMART goals—an effective way to turn big ideas into clear, actionable plans. Use this slide to introduce the acronym and show why SMART goals matter.
Specific & Measurable
Specific: Clearly define what you want to accomplish.
– Example: “Improve my grade” becomes “Raise my math grade.”
Measurable: Identify how you’ll know you’ve succeeded.
– Example: “Raise my math grade by 10 points,” so you can track progress.
Explain each term. For Specific: stress narrowing down exactly what you want. For Measurable: emphasize tracking progress with numbers or observable milestones.
Achievable & Relevant
Achievable: Set a goal that’s realistic given your time and resources.
– Example: “Above a 90%” may be too steep; “Raise by 5–10 points” is attainable.
Relevant: Ensure the goal matters to you and aligns with your priorities.
– Example: Improving math supports future science classes.
Cover Achievable and Relevant. Prompt students to think about realistic steps and how the goal connects to their interests or broader aspirations.
Time-Bound & Examples
Time-Bound: Give your goal a deadline or time frame.
– Example: “By the end of this semester.”
Non-SMART vs SMART Example:
• Vague: “Get better at basketball.”
• SMART: “Join the after-school team and practice shooting three times a week to increase my free-throw percentage by 15% by season’s end.”
Discuss Time-Bound and then show concrete examples vs vague statements. Highlight why setting a deadline increases motivation.
Class Discussion: From Vague to SMART
- Think: Write down a vague personal or academic goal.
- Pair: Share it with a partner and refine it using the SMART criteria.
- Share: Who can share their before and after goal with the class?
Facilitate a quick Think-Pair-Share. Invite volunteers to share their examples with the class.
Worksheet
Dream Big SMART Goals Worksheet
Instructions:
Use this worksheet to draft one academic and one personal SMART goal. Refer to the SMART Goals Intro Slide Deck for definitions of each criterion. After drafting, you’ll exchange worksheets and provide feedback using the Peer Review Carousel Activity.
A. Academic SMART Goal
- Write your complete academic SMART goal in one sentence:
- Break down your goal by SMART criteria:
• Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
• Measurable: How will you know when you’ve succeeded?
• Achievable: Why is this goal realistic for you?
• Relevant: How does this goal matter to your academic growth?
• Time-Bound: What’s your deadline or timeframe?
B. Personal SMART Goal
- Write your complete personal SMART goal in one sentence:
- Break down your goal by SMART criteria:
• Specific: What exactly do you want to accomplish?
• Measurable: How will you track your progress?
• Achievable: Why can you realistically reach this goal?
• Relevant: Why is this goal meaningful to you personally?
• Time-Bound: When will you complete this goal?
C. Peer Review Feedback
After exchanging with a partner using the Peer Review Carousel Activity, record two constructive suggestions you received:
- Suggestion #1:
- Suggestion #2:
D. Reflection & Next Steps
How will you track your progress and stay accountable? List tools or strategies you’ll use (e.g., planner, app, check-ins with a partner):
Activity
Peer Review Carousel Activity
Purpose:
Students circulate among peers to review and refine each other’s academic and personal SMART goals, providing constructive feedback and building accountability.
Time: 10 minutes
Materials:
- Printed SMART goals worksheets (Dream Big SMART Goals Worksheet)
- Chart paper or large sticky notes with SMART headings
- Markers or pens
Setup (2 minutes)
- Arrange chairs in two concentric circles: an inner circle facing outward, an outer circle facing inward.
- Place chart paper or posters at a central station listing the SMART criteria as reference.
- Ensure each student has their drafted worksheet ready.
Instructions (8 minutes)
- Pair & Review (1 minute per round):
- Inner-circle students keep their worksheets; outer-circle students hold theirs.
- On the signal, each outer partner sits next to an inner partner.
- Both partners spend 30 seconds reviewing the other’s academic goal and 30 seconds reviewing the personal goal.
- Feedback Delivery (1 minute per round):
- Using the prompts below, each student shares one strength and one suggestion for improvement.
- Record suggestions in the “Peer Review Feedback” section of your worksheet.
- Rotate:
- After 2 minutes total, the outer circle moves one seat to the right; the inner circle stays put.
- Repeat the review-feedback cycle until students have worked with at least three different partners.
Feedback Prompts
- Specific: Is the goal clearly defined? How could it be more focused?
- Measurable: Are there clear metrics? Suggest how to quantify progress.
- Achievable: Is the goal realistic? What adjustment would make it attainable?
- Relevant: Does it align with personal or academic priorities? How might it connect more closely?
- Time-Bound: Is there a clear deadline? Propose a timeframe if missing.
After the Carousel:
- Students return to seats and review the written suggestions on their worksheets.
- Encourage them to refine their goals before the final reflection step in the lesson.