Lesson Plan
Future Focus Lesson Plan
Students will learn to set personal and academic goals using the SMART framework and a growth mindset, and will create an action plan for achieving at least one goal.
Teaching goal-setting with a growth mindset helps students build self-awareness, ownership of learning, and practical planning skills that boost motivation and future success.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion, guided practice, and peer feedback.
Materials
- Future Focus Lesson Plan, - Future Self Reflection Worksheet, - SMART Goals Worksheet, - Growth Mindset Quote Cards, - Action Planning Template, - Sticky Notes, - Pens and Pencils, and - Projector or Smartboard
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Review the Future Focus Lesson Plan and familiarize yourself with each activity.
- Print enough copies of the Future Self Reflection Worksheet, SMART Goals Worksheet, and Action Planning Template for all students.
- Prepare and display Growth Mindset Quote Cards or poster on the board.
- Gather sticky notes, pens, and ensure the projector or smartboard is working.
Step 1
Warm-Up and Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to take 2 minutes to write on the Future Self Reflection Worksheet answering: “Where do you see yourself in 5 years?”
- Invite a few volunteers to share key insights with the class.
Step 2
Growth Mindset Introduction
10 minutes
- Display the Growth Mindset Quote Cards and read a few aloud.
- Briefly explain fixed vs. growth mindset (Carol Dweck’s research).
- Have students pick one quote that resonates and discuss why with a partner.
Step 3
SMART Goal Strategy
10 minutes
- Introduce the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet.
- Model setting one academic SMART goal on the board, explaining each criterion.
Step 4
Independent Goal Setting
10 minutes
- Instruct students to use the SMART Goals Worksheet to write two academic and one personal SMART goal.
- Circulate and support students as they draft their goals.
Step 5
Peer Sharing and Feedback
10 minutes
- Pair students and have them read their SMART goals aloud.
- Provide feedback using prompts: “Is it specific? How will you measure success? Is the timeline realistic?”
- Encourage positive, constructive suggestions.
Step 6
Action Plan Development
10 minutes
- Hand out the Action Planning Template.
- Ask students to choose one SMART goal and list the first three action steps, resources needed, and deadlines.
- Circulate to guide planning.
Step 7
Closing Reflection
5 minutes
- Ask students to write on a sticky note one insight they gained and one next step they will take.
- Collect or post sticky notes on a classroom board for a visual commitment wall.
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Slide Deck
Future Focus: Teen Goals
60-Minute Advisory Session
9th Grade
Today: Set and plan your personal & academic goals using a growth mindset approach.
Welcome everyone! Introduce today’s focus: setting and planning your personal and academic goals using a growth mindset. Explain how this will help you take ownership of your learning and plan for future success.
Session Objectives
• Understand the Growth Mindset concept
• Learn the SMART goal framework
• Create an action plan for at least one personal or academic goal
Outline what students will learn today. Emphasize each objective before moving on.
Warm-Up: Future Self Reflection
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
• Take 2 minutes to complete the Future Self Reflection Worksheet
• Volunteers share one key insight
Distribute the Future Self Reflection Worksheet. Give students 2 minutes to write, then invite volunteers to share.
Growth Mindset Introduction
Fixed Mindset vs. Growth Mindset
• Fixed: “I can’t change my abilities.”
• Growth: “I can improve with effort.”
Pick one from the Growth Mindset Quote Cards and discuss with a partner why it resonates.
Display quote cards and read aloud a few. Explain fixed vs. growth mindset. Then have students choose a quote and discuss.
SMART Goal Framework
Specific: What exactly will you do?
Measurable: How will you track progress?
Achievable: Is it realistic?
Relevant: Does it align with your priorities?
Time-bound: What is the deadline?
Refer to the SMART Goals Worksheet.
Introduce each SMART criterion with an example. Model one goal on the board.
Independent Goal Setting
Use the SMART Goals Worksheet
• Write TWO academic SMART goals
• Write ONE personal SMART goal
I’ll circulate to help you refine each goal.
Instruct students to draft goals. Circulate and support refinement as needed.
Peer Sharing & Feedback
Exchange your SMART goals with a partner. Use these guiding questions:
• Is it Specific?
• How will success be measured?
• Is the timeline realistic?
Offer supportive suggestions and revisions.
Pair students up. Encourage positive, constructive feedback using the prompts.
Action Plan Development
Choose one SMART goal.
On the Action Planning Template:
- List the first three action steps
- Identify needed resources
- Set deadlines for each step
I’ll assist as you plan.
Hand out the Action Planning Template. Guide students to outline concrete steps, resources, and deadlines.
Closing Reflection
On a sticky note, write:
• One insight you gained today
• One next step you will take toward your goal
Post your note on our classroom commitment wall.
Ask students to reflect quickly and post their commitments. Highlight that this visual commitment wall holds them accountable.
Worksheet
Future Self Reflection Worksheet
Instructions:
Take a moment to imagine your life 5 years from now. Answer the questions below thoughtfully, considering your personal growth, achievements, and experiences.
- Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Describe your goals and aspirations.
- What is one personal quality or skill you hope to develop and why?
- What academic or extracurricular achievements do you envision? How will they impact your future?
- Identify a potential challenge you might face on this journey. How could you overcome it?
- What steps can you start taking now to move toward this future?
Reflecting on your future self is the first step toward making these visions a reality. Good luck!
Worksheet
SMART Goals Worksheet
Instructions:
Use the SMART framework to write clear, actionable goals. A SMART goal is:
- Specific: Clearly defines what you will do.
- Measurable: Includes criteria to track progress and know when it's achieved.
- Achievable: Realistic given your resources and time.
- Relevant: Aligned with your priorities and long-term objectives.
- Time-bound: Has a clear deadline.
Goal 1: Academic SMART Goal
- Goal Statement: Write your academic goal using all SMART criteria.
- Specific: What exactly will you accomplish?
- Measurable: How will you measure your progress or know you’ve succeeded?
- Achievable: Why is this goal realistic for you?
- Relevant: How does this goal connect to your academic priorities?
- Time-bound: What is your deadline for completing this goal?
Goal 2: Academic SMART Goal
- Goal Statement:
- Specific:
- Measurable:
- Achievable:
- Relevant:
- Time-bound:
Goal 3: Personal SMART Goal
- Goal Statement:
- Specific:
- Measurable:
- Achievable:
- Relevant:
- Time-bound:
Reflection & Next Steps
- How will you track your progress for each goal?
- Identify one potential challenge for each goal and how you will address it.
Use this worksheet to guide your planning and stay accountable. Good luck!
Activity
Growth Mindset Quote Cards
Type: Printable cards to spark discussion and reflection on growth mindset.
Instructions for Teacher:
- Print the sheet below on cardstock.
- Cut along the dotted lines to create individual quote cards.
- Distribute one card to each student or display around the room.
- Ask students to read their quote silently, then discuss with a partner:
- What does this quote mean to you?
- How can you apply this idea to your own learning?
“I can’t do it…yet.”
– Carol Dweck
“Mistakes are proof that you are trying.”– Unknown
“The expert in anything was once a beginner.”
– Helen Hayes
“Challenges are what make life interesting; overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
– Joshua J. Marine
“Success is the result of persistence, resilience, and hard work.”
– Unknown
“You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.”
– A.A. Milne
“Effort is magic. It transforms ability.”
– Unknown
“Don’t judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant.”
– Robert Louis Stevenson
Feel free to add more quotes or swap in ones that resonate with your students’ experiences. Good luck fostering a growth mindset!
Worksheet
Action Planning Template
Instructions: Choose one of your SMART goals and break it down into specific action steps. Use this template to plan each step, identify needed resources, set deadlines, and determine how you’ll measure progress.
1. Goal
What SMART goal are you focusing on?
2. Action Steps
Fill in the table below with at least three concrete steps.
| Action Step | Resources Needed | Deadline | Progress Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. |
| 2. | | | |
| 3. | | | |
3. Potential Obstacles & Solutions
Identify challenges you might face and describe how you will overcome them.
4. Next Steps & Reflection
What is the very first action you will take, and by when? How will you celebrate or reflect on your progress?
Use this action plan to guide your work and keep yourself accountable. Good luck!