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Future Foundations: Goal Setting

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Daniel Freitas

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Future Foundations: Goal Setting

Students will define SMART goals across academic, personal, and career domains, break down large goals into actionable steps, and apply self-motivation techniques to maintain progress and overcome obstacles.

Empowering students with goal-setting and self-motivation skills provides them with the tools to navigate challenges, achieve aspirations, and foster a lifelong growth mindset, leading to greater personal and academic fulfillment.

Audience

10th-12th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, individual reflection, and practical application.

Materials

Smart Goals Slide Deck, My Goal-Getter Worksheet, and My Motivation Journal

Prep

Preparation Checklist

15 minutes

  • Review all generated materials: Future Foundations: Goal Setting Lesson Plan, Smart Goals Slide Deck, My Goal-Getter Worksheet, and My Motivation Journal.
  • Ensure projector and computer are working for the Smart Goals Slide Deck.
  • Print copies of the My Goal-Getter Worksheet (one per student).
  • Print copies of the My Motivation Journal (one per student).
  • Arrange classroom for individual and pair-share activities (flexible seating or clear desk spaces).

Step 1

Introduction: Why Goals Matter (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What's something you really want to achieve in the next year? Or even by the end of this semester?" (Allow for quick, informal sharing or a show of hands).
  • Introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to talk about something crucial for turning those dreams into reality: goal setting and self-motivation. It's not just about having a dream; it's about having a roadmap and the fuel to get there."
  • Display Slide 1: "Future Foundations: Goal Setting & Self-Motivation" and briefly explain the lesson's purpose.

Step 2

Understanding SMART Goals (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Transition to Slide 2: "What's a Goal, Anyway?" and facilitate a brief discussion on what students understand by 'goals'.
  • Introduce SMART goals using Slides 3-8: "S.M.A.R.T. Goals Breakdown". For each letter, explain its meaning and provide a clear example. Quickly guide students to transform the example "I want to get better grades" into a SMART goal collaboratively.

Step 3

Goal-Getter Workshop: Individual Planning (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Goal-Getter Worksheet.
  • Explain: "Now it's your turn. Think about an academic, personal, or career goal you have. On your worksheet, use the SMART framework to define your goal clearly and break it down into smaller, manageable steps."
  • Circulate around the room, offering support and answering questions. Encourage students to quickly pair-share their initial goal ideas with a neighbor for brief feedback (1 minute total).

Step 4

Fueling Your Journey & Reflection (9 minutes)

9 minutes

  • Bring the class back together. Transition to Slide 9: "Staying Motivated: Why It's Tough & How To Win!".
  • Briefly discuss common challenges to motivation (procrastination, losing interest, obstacles).
  • Introduce self-motivation strategies using Slides 10-12: "Your Motivation Toolkit" (e.g., celebrating small wins, positive self-talk, accountability partners, visualizing success). Focus on 2-3 key strategies.
  • Distribute the My Motivation Journal. Explain: "This journal is for you to continue reflecting on your goals and motivation. For tonight, I'd like you to write a brief entry about one self-motivation strategy you plan to try this week."
  • Conclude with Slide 13: "Your Future Starts Now!" and a reinforcing statement: "Remember, setting goals is the first step, but consistent self-motivation is what truly builds your future foundations. You've got this!"
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Slide Deck

Future Foundations: Goal Setting & Self-Motivation

Building Your Roadmap to Success

Welcome students and introduce the topic. Emphasize the relevance of goal setting to their lives.

What's a Goal, Anyway?

Is it a wish? A dream? Something you have to do or want to do?

Ask students to share their initial thoughts on what a 'goal' is. Encourage diverse answers.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: S = Specific

Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Why is it important?

  • NOT: "I want to get fit."
  • SMART: "I want to run a 5K race by May 1st to improve my cardiovascular health and challenge myself."

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain 'Specific' with clear examples.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: M = Measurable

Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved your goal? What metrics will you use?

  • NOT: "I want to read more."
  • SMART: "I want to read one non-fiction book per month for the next six months to expand my knowledge."

Explain 'Measurable' and how to track progress.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: A = Achievable

Achievable: Is your goal realistic and attainable given your resources and constraints? Is it challenging but not impossible?

  • NOT: "I want to become a millionaire next week."
  • SMART: "I want to save $500 for a new laptop by working 10 hours a week at my part-time job over the next two months."

Explain 'Achievable' and the importance of realistic goals.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: R = Relevant

Relevant: Does this goal align with your values and long-term aspirations? Is it important to you?

  • NOT: "I want to learn to juggle because my friend does."
  • SMART: "I want to complete my college application by December 1st because attending college is essential for my career aspirations."

Explain 'Relevant' and linking goals to personal values.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: T = Time-bound

Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this goal? What is the deadline?

  • NOT: "I want to finish my science project soon."
  • SMART: "I want to complete my science project by Friday, November 17th, so I can present it in class next Monday."

Explain 'Time-bound' and the need for deadlines.

Putting It All Together: Why SMART?

SMART goals provide clarity, focus, and motivation. They help you track progress and make adjustments along the way, increasing your chances of success!

Summarize SMART goals and transition to the next section.

Staying Motivated: Why It's Tough & How To Win!

Setting a goal is one thing, but sticking to it? That's where self-motivation comes in. What are some things that make it hard to stay motivated?

Introduce the concept of self-motivation and the challenges students face.

Your Motivation Toolkit: Strategies for Success

  • Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge progress, no matter how small.
  • Positive Self-Talk: Challenge negative thoughts with encouraging ones.
  • Find Your 'Why': Regularly remind yourself why this goal matters to you.

Discuss strategies for maintaining motivation. Encourage student input.

Your Motivation Toolkit: More Strategies

  • Accountability Partner: Share your goal with someone who will check in on your progress.
  • Visualize Success: Imagine yourself achieving your goal and how that will feel.
  • Break It Down: Large goals can be overwhelming; focus on one small step at a time.

Continue with more motivation strategies.

Your Future Starts Now!

You now have the tools to set clear goals and the strategies to stay motivated. The path won't always be easy, but you have the power to build your own success!

Conclude the lesson, reinforcing the key takeaways.

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Activity

My Goal-Getter Worksheet: Building Your SMART Future

Welcome, Future Achiever! This worksheet is designed to help you take a dream or an aspiration and turn it into a concrete, actionable plan. Get ready to define your success!

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Big Goal

What is one significant goal (academic, personal, or career) that you want to achieve? Don't worry about making it SMART just yet – just write down what comes to mind.

My Big Goal:





Step 2: Make Your Goal S.M.A.R.T.

Now, let's refine your big goal using the SMART framework. Answer the questions below for your chosen goal.

S - Specific

  • What exactly do you want to achieve? Be precise. (Who, What, Where, When, Why?)






M - Measurable

  • How will you know when you have achieved this goal? What data or evidence will show your progress?






A - Achievable

  • Is this goal realistic and attainable given your current resources and skills? What steps can you take to make it achievable?






R - Relevant

  • Does this goal truly matter to you? How does it align with your values, other goals, or long-term aspirations?






T - Time-bound

  • When exactly do you want to achieve this goal? What is your deadline?






My Refined SMART Goal:

Write your complete SMART goal here, combining all the elements you just defined:











Step 3: Break It Down: Your Action Plan

Big goals are often achieved through small steps. List at least 3-5 action steps you need to take to achieve your SMART goal. These should be concrete tasks you can start working on.



















  5. ## Step 4: Anticipate & Overcome Obstacles

What are some potential challenges or obstacles that might prevent you from achieving your goal? How will you overcome them?

  • Obstacle 1:



    Solution:


  • Obstacle 2:



    Solution:


Congratulations! You've just laid the groundwork for your future success. Keep this worksheet somewhere visible to remind you of your commitment and your plan!

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Journal

My Motivation Journal: Fueling Your Goals

Welcome to your personal space for reflection and growth! This journal is here to help you cultivate the self-motivation needed to achieve your SMART Goal. Use it to check in with yourself, celebrate progress, and navigate challenges.

Week 1: Setting the Stage

Prompt: Thinking about your SMART Goal, what is ONE self-motivation strategy from our lesson (or one you already use) that you commit to trying or focusing on this week? How do you plan to implement it?













Week 2: Checking In

Prompt: How did your chosen motivation strategy work out? Did you stick to it? What challenges did you face, and how did you (or could you have) overcome them? What was a

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