Dream Big, Plan Small: Mastering Your Goals

Courtney Fischer

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Dream Big, Plan Small: Mastering Your Goals

Students will be able to write one short-term academic or personal SMART goal.

This lesson is important because it teaches students a practical framework for achieving their aspirations. By learning to set SMART goals, they'll develop essential self-management skills, boost their motivation, and experience the satisfaction of successfully working towards and reaching their objectives.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Through visualization, direct instruction, and a guided workshop, students will create their own SMART goals.

Materials

Smart Goal Slide Deck, and SMART Goal Planner

Prep

Teacher Preparation

10 minutes

Review the Smart Goal Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the SMART Goal Planner for each student.
- Ensure projector/screen and writing materials are available.
- Review all generated materials as needed.

Step 1

"One Month From Now..." Visualization

3 minutes

Begin by guiding students through a short visualization exercise. Use the Smart Goal Slide Deck to prompt their thinking.
- Ask students to close their eyes (or look down) and imagine what they want to achieve in one month, either academically or personally.
- Encourage them to think about what success looks and feels like.

Step 2

Introduce SMART Goals

7 minutes

Introduce the concept of SMART goals using the Smart Goal Slide Deck.
- Explain what each letter stands for (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with clear examples relevant to 7th graders.
- Facilitate a brief discussion asking students if they've heard of goal setting before and how it might be helpful.

Step 3

Goal-Setting Workshop

8 minutes

Distribute the SMART Goal Planner worksheet to each student.
- Guide students through writing their own short-term academic or personal SMART goal, providing examples and checking for understanding as they work.
- Circulate the room to offer individual support and feedback.
- Emphasize that the goal should be something they can realistically achieve in one month.

Step 4

Accountability Partner Check-in

2 minutes

Pair students up and have them share their SMART goals with an 'accountability partner'.
- Instruct partners to briefly discuss how they plan to achieve their goals and offer encouragement.
- Briefly reiterate the importance of revisiting goals and adjusting as needed.

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Slide Deck

Dream Big, Plan Small: Mastering Your Goals

Imagine your future! What do you want to achieve in one month?

Welcome students and introduce the idea of thinking about their future. Set a calm and focused atmosphere for the visualization. Tell them to close their eyes if they feel comfortable, or just look down at their desk. Explain the activity clearly.

One Month From Now...

Close your eyes (or look down) and imagine...

What is one thing you want to accomplish in the next month?
Is it about your grades? A new skill? A personal habit?
What does it look like to achieve this goal?
How does it feel when you achieve it?

Guide students through the visualization. Emphasize both academic and personal aspects. Ask guiding questions to help them picture their success clearly. Allow for a moment of quiet reflection.

What are SMART Goals?

Turning your dreams into reality! 🎉

SMART goals are a way to make your goals clear and achievable.

They help you:

Know exactly what you want to do.
Stay motivated.
Celebrate your successes!

Transition from visualization to the concept of goal setting. Introduce SMART goals as a tool to make their imagined achievements a reality. Ask if anyone has heard of goal setting before.

S is for SPECIFIC

Specific means your goal is clear and detailed.

Ask yourself:

What exactly do I want to achieve?
Who is involved?
Where will it happen?
Why is this goal important to me?

Example: Instead of "Get better at math," try "Improve my algebra grade by practicing 30 minutes every day."

Explain 'Specific'. Provide clear examples and non-examples. Encourage students to think about how they can make their own goals more specific.

M is for MEASURABLE

Measurable means you can track your progress and know when you've reached your goal.

Ask yourself:

How will I know when I've achieved it?
What data or evidence will show my progress?

Example: Instead of "Read more books," try "Read one chapter of a new book every night for a week."

Explain 'Measurable'. Discuss how tracking progress helps motivation. Give examples of how to measure different types of goals.

A is for ACHIEVABLE

Achievable means your goal is realistic and something you can accomplish.

Ask yourself:

Is this goal actually possible for me to achieve?
Do I have the resources and skills needed?

Example: Instead of "Become a professional athlete next month," try "Practice basketball drills for 30 minutes, 4 times a week."

Explain 'Achievable'. Emphasize setting realistic yet challenging goals. Discuss the difference between a dream and an achievable goal within a timeframe.

R is for RELEVANT

Relevant means your goal matters to you and aligns with your bigger picture.

Ask yourself:

Is this goal important to me right now?
Does it fit with my other goals or values?
Why do I want to achieve this?

Example: Instead of "Learn to juggle if I hate juggling," try "Improve my writing skills for my English class."

Explain 'Relevant'. Connect the goal to their personal values or academic success. Discuss why the goal matters to them.

T is for TIME-BOUND

Time-bound means your goal has a clear deadline.

Ask yourself:

When will I achieve this goal?
What is the start date and end date?

Example: Instead of "Finish my science project," try "Complete my science project by Friday at 3 PM."

Explain 'Time-bound'. Stress the importance of deadlines for motivation and focus. Provide examples of appropriate timeframes.

Your Turn! Goal-Setting Workshop

Now it's your turn to create your own SMART goal!

Use your SMART Goal Planner to help you make your dream goal a reality.

Remember to make it:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

Transition to the worksheet. Explain that students will now apply what they've learned by creating their own SMART goal. Remind them to think about their "one month from now" visualization.

Accountability Partner Check-in

Share your SMART goal with a partner!

Read your goal aloud.
Discuss one small step you will take to achieve it.
Give each other encouraging words!

Remember, setting goals is just the beginning. Stick with it, and you'll amaze yourself!

Explain the accountability partner activity. Emphasize listening and offering positive encouragement. Briefly wrap up by reinforcing the power of SMART goals.

Worksheet

My SMART Goal Planner

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

My Goal Idea (My "One Month From Now..." Dream):

Think about what you visualized. What is one academic or personal thing you want to achieve in the next month?

Let's Make It SMART!

Use the questions below to turn your goal idea into a powerful SMART goal.

S - Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve?

Be clear and detailed. Who is involved? What will happen? Why is this important?

M - Measurable: How will I know when I've achieved it?

How will you track your progress? What evidence will show you're making steps?

A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic for me to accomplish in one month?

Is it challenging, but still possible? Do I have what I need to do it?

R - Relevant: Is this goal important and meaningful to me right now?

Why does this goal matter to you? How does it connect to your life or other interests?

T - Time-bound: When will I achieve this goal?

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

My Final SMART Goal:

Write out your complete SMART goal here! Make sure it includes all five parts.

My First Step:

What is ONE small thing you will do today or tomorrow to start working on your SMART goal?