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Dream Big: Setting Goals

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Lesson Plan

Dream Big Lesson Plan

Students will reflect on their past year’s achievements and challenges, learn proven goal-setting techniques, and draft personal and academic goals with clear action steps.

Teaching goal-setting equips students with self-awareness and resilience, fosters hope, and empowers them to take ownership of their growth and dreams.

Audience

Grades 4–6

Time

50 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, mini-lesson, journaling, and peer sharing.

Materials

Projector and Screen, Chart Paper and Markers, Sticky Notes, Goal-Setting Slide Deck, and Dream Big Reflection Journal

Prep

Prepare Classroom and Materials

10 minutes

  • Review the Goal-Setting Slide Deck
  • Print one copy of the Dream Big Reflection Journal per student
  • Set up projector and screen for slides
  • Post chart paper and markers at the front of the room for group work
  • Arrange desks/seating in a circle or small clusters for discussion

Step 1

Introduction and Reflection

10 minutes

  • Welcome students and explain today’s focus: looking back to move forward
  • Prompt: “Think of three things you’re proud of from the past year.”
  • Students write responses in the Reflection section of their journals
  • Invite a few volunteers to share highlights aloud

Step 2

Teach Goal-Setting Techniques

15 minutes

  • Display slides 1–5 of the Goal-Setting Slide Deck
  • Explain the SMART framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Model creating a SMART goal on chart paper (e.g., “Read one new book each month.”)
  • Discuss why resilience and adaptability matter when goals change

Step 3

Personal Goal Brainstorm

10 minutes

  • Ask students to think of one personal and one academic goal using SMART criteria
  • Students jot ideas on sticky notes
  • Transfer sticky notes onto chart paper under “Personal” and “Academic” columns
  • Encourage them to refine ideas in their journals with specific steps

Step 4

Share and Feedback

10 minutes

  • In pairs, students exchange journals and read each other’s drafted goals
  • Partners offer one “What’s great?” compliment and one “Try this?” suggestion
  • Invite a few pairs to share a goal and feedback highlight with the class

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

5 minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways: SMART steps and resilience
  • Challenge students to review their goals weekly and track progress in their journals
  • Collect journals if you plan to review, or instruct students to keep them at their desks
  • Close with an encouraging quote: “Dream big, start small, act now!”
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Slide Deck

Dream Big: Setting Goals

Setting Personal and Academic Goals for the Future

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce today’s focus: reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the future. Highlight that by the end of the session, they’ll have drafted personal and academic SMART goals.

Reflect on Your Year

• Think of three things you’re proud of from the past year.
• Write them in your Reflection Journal.
• Be ready to share one highlight.

Explain the reflection activity. Ask students to quietly think of three things they’re proud of from the past year and write them in their journals. Invite volunteers to share.

SMART Goals

Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
Measurable: How will you know you’ve reached it?
Achievable: Is it realistic?
Relevant: Does it matter to you?
Time-Bound: When will you finish?

Introduce the SMART framework. Read each element aloud, then ask students to repeat. Emphasize how SMART helps make goals clear and achievable.

Example SMART Goal

“I will read one new book each month by reading for 20 minutes before bed every night, starting this October through June.”

Model turning a general idea into a SMART goal. Write each part on chart paper, pointing out how it meets every SMART criterion.

Staying Resilient

• Obstacles are normal.
• Be ready to adjust your steps.
• Celebrate small wins and keep going.

Discuss why goals sometimes change and how resilience keeps us moving forward. Ask: “What could make a goal harder? How can we adapt?”

Personal & Academic Brainstorm

  1. Think of one personal goal (e.g., sports, hobby).
  2. Think of one academic goal (e.g., reading, math).
  3. Write each as a SMART goal on a sticky note.

Explain the brainstorming activity. Hand out sticky notes. Circulate to support students as they craft one personal and one academic goal.

Share and Feedback

• Swap journals in pairs.
• Give one “What’s great?” compliment.
• Offer one “Try this?” suggestion.

Introduce peer feedback guidelines. Model giving a compliment and a suggestion. Then let pairs begin.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Review and adjust goals each week.
• Track progress in your Reflection Journal.
• Remember: “Dream big, start small, act now!”

Summarize key takeaways: SMART goals and resilience. Encourage students to review their goals weekly and track progress in their journals.

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Journal

Dream Big Reflection Journal

1. Reflect on Your Achievements

Think of three things you’re most proud of from the past year. For each, describe why it mattered and what you learned about yourself.

  1. Achievement 1:











  2. Achievement 2:











  3. Achievement 3:











2. Understanding SMART Goals

In your own words, explain each part of the SMART framework. Then write a quick example for something you’d like to do.

  • Specific (What exactly do I want?):






  • Measurable (How will I know I’ve succeeded?):






  • Achievable (Is it realistic?):






  • Relevant (Why does it matter to me?):






  • Time-Bound (When will I finish?):






Example SMART Goal:











3. My Personal SMART Goal

Using the SMART framework above, write one personal goal (hobby, sport, or fun project). Then list three clear action steps you will take.

My Personal SMART Goal:











Action Steps:
1.





2.





3.




4. My Academic SMART Goal

Now, write one academic goal (reading, math, or another subject). Use the SMART criteria, and list three steps you will follow.

My Academic SMART Goal:











Action Steps:
1.





2.





3.




5. Anticipating Obstacles & Building Resilience

What challenges might you face while working on your goals? For each challenge, write one strategy you can use to keep going and adjust.

  • Challenge 1: Strategy:











  • Challenge 2: Strategy:











  • Challenge 3: Strategy:











6. Tracking Progress & Celebrating Wins

Describe how you will track your progress each week. Then list three small rewards or celebrations you can give yourself when you hit milestones.

How I will track progress:











My Celebrations:
1.




2.




3.



Remember: Dream big, start small, act now! Keep this journal handy and revisit your goals often.

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