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Future Foundations: Goal Setting for Growth

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Lesson Plan

Future Foundations: Goal Setting for Growth

Students will be able to identify personal and academic goals, break them down into actionable steps, and understand the importance of perseverance in achieving them. They will also learn to reflect on challenges and adapt their plans.

Learning to set and achieve goals is a fundamental life skill that empowers students to take ownership of their future, develop self-discipline, and build confidence in their abilities. It helps them navigate challenges and realize their full potential.

Audience

7th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, interactive planning, and peer discussion to foster a growth mindset.

Materials

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What is a Goal?

5 minutes

  • Begin by displaying the first slide of the Future Foundations Slide Deck.
  • Engage students with a brief discussion: "What does it mean to set a goal? Why do people set goals?"
  • Introduce the lesson's objective: to learn how to set and achieve personal and academic goals.

Step 2

Exploring SMART Goals (Slides 2-7)

15 minutes

  • Use the Future Foundations Slide Deck to explain the concept of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
  • Go through each component with examples, encouraging student input and clarifying any questions.
  • Provide an example of a non-SMART goal and then work together to make it SMART.

Step 3

Individual Goal Setting with Worksheet

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Goal Journey Worksheet.
  • Instruct students to choose one personal or academic goal they want to work towards.
  • Guide them through the worksheet, helping them apply the SMART criteria to their chosen goal and break it down into smaller, actionable steps.
  • Circulate the room to provide individual support and feedback.

Step 4

Peer Discussion & Reflection (Activity)

8 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students).
  • Provide each group with a set of Goal Setting Discussion Cards Activity.
  • Instruct students to discuss the prompts on the cards, sharing their goals (if comfortable) and discussing strategies for overcoming challenges and staying motivated.
  • Encourage active listening and constructive feedback within groups.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Takeaways (Slide 8)

2 minutes

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Slide Deck

Future Foundations: Goal Setting for Growth

What does it mean to set a goal? Why do we set goals?

Today, we're going to explore how to set amazing goals and actually achieve them! Get ready to build your future, one goal at a time!

Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Ask a general question to get them thinking about goals.

What are SMART Goals?

Goals are dreams with a deadline! But how do we make sure our goals are ones we can actually reach?

We use the SMART framework!

S - Specific
M - Measurable
A - Achievable
R - Relevant
T - Time-bound

Introduce the concept of SMART goals and explain what the acronym stands for.

S is for Specific

Your goal should be clear and well-defined.

  • Instead of: "I want to get better grades."
  • Try: "I want to improve my math grade from a C to a B by the end of the semester."

Think: Who? What? Where? When? Why?

Explain 'Specific' with an example. Ask students for other examples of specific goals.

M is for Measurable

You need to be able to track your progress.

  • Instead of: "I want to read more."
  • Try: "I want to read 2 books each month for the rest of the school year."

Think: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

Explain 'Measurable' with an example. Emphasize how to track progress.

A is for Achievable

Your goal should be realistic and attainable.

  • Instead of: "I want to learn to fly in one week."
  • Try: "I want to learn 10 new Spanish words each week to prepare for my trip to Mexico."

Think: Is this goal possible for me to achieve? Do I have the resources/skills?

Explain 'Achievable' and discuss the difference between challenging and impossible.

R is for Relevant

Your goal should matter to you and align with your values.

  • Instead of: "I want to run a marathon because my friend is doing it."
  • Try: "I want to improve my stamina to join the school track team next spring."

Think: Is this goal worthwhile? Does it align with my other goals and values?

Explain 'Relevant' and connect goals to personal values or larger aspirations.

T is for Time-bound

Your goal needs a deadline or target date.

  • Instead of: "I want to save money."
  • Try: "I want to save $100 by December 1st to buy holiday gifts."

Think: When will this goal be achieved? What is the deadline?

Explain 'Time-bound' and the importance of a deadline. Ask for examples of time-bound goals.

Your Future Starts Now!

Remember, setting SMART goals is your superpower!

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Now it's YOUR turn to create your own incredible goals! Let's build those future foundations!

Recap the lesson and encourage students to start setting their own SMART goals. Mention the worksheet and activity.

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Worksheet

My Goal Journey Worksheet: Building Your Future

Name: _____________________________
Date: _____________________________

Step 1: Dream Big! What's Your Goal?

Think about something you really want to achieve. It could be about school, a hobby, a personal skill, or anything important to you.

My initial goal idea:











Step 2: Make it SMART! (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)

Let's take your goal idea and make it super clear and powerful using the SMART framework.

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







M - Measurable: How will you know when you've reached your goal? How will you track your progress?







A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic for you to achieve? Do you have the resources or skills, or can you get them?







R - Relevant: Why is this goal important to you? Does it align with your values or other big dreams?







T - Time-bound: When will you achieve this goal? What is your deadline?







Step 3: My SMART Goal Statement

Now, write your complete SMART goal statement based on your answers above:











Step 4: Breaking it Down: Action Steps

What are the smaller, individual steps you need to take to reach your SMART goal? List at least 3-5 steps.
















Step 5: Anticipating & Overcoming Challenges

What obstacles might you face while working on your goal? How will you overcome them?

Possible Challenges:






Strategies to Overcome:






Step 6: My Motivation & Support

What will motivate you to keep going? Who can support you on your goal journey?

My Motivation:






My Support System:






Good luck on your goal journey! Remember, every step counts!

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Activity

Goal Setting Discussion Cards

Instructions: In your small groups, take turns drawing a card and discussing the prompt. Everyone should contribute to the discussion.

Card 1

What is one personal goal you have (it can be big or small)? Why is this goal important to you?

Card 2

Describe a time you set a goal and achieved it. What steps did you take? What challenges did you face, and how did you overcome them?

Card 3

Imagine you are struggling to stay motivated with a goal. What strategies could you use to re-energize yourself and get back on track?

Card 4

How can having a "growth mindset" (believing you can improve through effort) help you achieve your goals?

Card 5

Why is it important for a goal to be measurable? Give an example of how you would measure progress for a goal like "getting stronger."

Card 6

What is the difference between an achievable goal and an unrealistic goal? How do you know if a goal is achievable?

Card 7

Think about a goal you have for your academics (e.g., in a specific subject). How can you make this goal SMART?

Card 8

Who are some people in your life who could support you in achieving your goals? How could they help?

Card 9

What are some common distractions that might prevent someone from reaching their goals? How can you avoid or manage these distractions?

Card 10

Why is having a time-bound aspect to your goal important? What happens if a goal doesn't have a deadline?

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Future Foundations: Goal Setting for Growth • Lenny Learning