Lesson Plan
Session 1 Lesson Plan
Introduce students to essential life skills and show how these competencies support their personal growth through interactive activities and reflection.
Early awareness of key life skills and clear personal goals empowers students to plan effectively for their development and life beyond their current stage.
Audience
5-13 Years Old
Time
25 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentation, discussion, game, and reflection worksheet.
Prep
Prepare Session Materials
10 minutes
- Print one Post-Secondary Goals Brainstorm Worksheet per student.
- Print and cut sets of Goal Matching Game Cards for pairs/groups.
- Review the Life Skills Intro Slides and Post-Secondary Goals Discussion Guide.
- Make copies of the Future Ready Project Overview Sheet for distribution at the start of class.
Step 1
Hook and Overview
5 minutes
- Welcome students to the "Future Ready Quest" series and outline the 7-session journey.
- Present today’s objectives: define life skills and explore personal goals.
- Distribute the Future Ready Project Overview Sheet and review its contents.
Step 2
Slide Presentation
7 minutes
- Display the Life Skills Intro Slides.
- Define core life skills (e.g., communication, time management) with real-world examples appropriate for ages 5-13.
- Explain how each skill links to success in school, friendships, and future aspirations.
- Pause for quick clarifying questions.
Step 3
Group Discussion
5 minutes
- Arrange students into small groups of 3–4.
- Provide each group with the Post-Secondary Goals Discussion Guide.
- Prompt groups to discuss their short- and long-term personal goals and note which life skills they believe will support those goals.
- Circulate and listen for insights to share.
Step 4
Matching Game
5 minutes
- Hand out sets of Goal Matching Game Cards to each pair/group.
- Instruct students to match each life skill card with a related personal outcome card.
- After 2–3 minutes, review matches as a class, discussing any mismatches and reasoning.
Step 5
Individual Reflection
3 minutes
- Ask students to complete the Post-Secondary Goals Brainstorm Worksheet.
- Have them list two to three personal goals and identify the life skills needed to achieve each.
- Collect worksheets to inform future lessons and project plans.
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Slide Deck
Future Ready Quest – Session 1
Life Skills & Personal Goals
• Define core life skills
• See real-world examples
• Connect skills to your goals
Welcome everyone to the Future Ready Quest series! Today is Session 1: Life Skills & Personal Goals. Introduce yourself and briefly remind students that over seven sessions, they’ll build competencies to thrive as they grow. Explain that this deck will define life skills, give examples, and show how they support their school and personal success, adjusted for a 5-13 age group.
Today’s Objectives
- Define what “life skills” are
- Identify key life skills you already use
- Understand how these skills support your personal goals
Explain that every lesson will build on the last. Walk through today’s three objectives.
What Are Life Skills?
Life skills are the practical abilities you use every day to manage yourself, your relationships, and your environment.
They help you:
• Communicate clearly
• Solve problems
• Make decisions
• Adapt to new challenges
Read the definition aloud and ask: “Can anyone give me another way to say ‘life skills’?” Sparingly add examples appropriate for ages 5-13 if needed (e.g., sharing toys, making new friends).
Core Life Skills
• Communication: expressing ideas & listening actively
• Time Management: prioritizing tasks & meeting deadlines
• Critical Thinking: analyzing information & solving problems
• Self-Awareness: understanding your strengths & areas for growth
• Collaboration: working effectively with others
Quickly walk through each skill and invite a student to share how they’ve used one of these. Keep it under a minute each. Provide age-appropriate examples.
Life Skills in Action
• Scenario 1: Asking a teacher for help and understanding class instructions (Communication)
• Scenario 2: Planning your homework time and playtime (Time Management)
Questions:
• What went well?
• Which skill made the difference?
Present two scenarios relevant to students aged 5-13: one school, one personal life. Ask: “Which skill is highlighted here?”
Linking Skills to Your Goals
Think about your own personal goals:
• Doing well in school
• Learning a new sport or hobby
• Making new friends
How will communication, planning, and problem-solving help you succeed?
Explain that every personal goal—whether in school, sports, or with friends—relies on these same skills. Emphasize that practicing now builds confidence for the future.
Group Discussion Prompt
In groups of 3–4:
- Share two short-term and one long-term personal goal.
- Identify at least one life skill you’ll need to reach each goal.
- Be prepared to share one insight with the class.
Introduce the upcoming group activity. Tell students they’ll discuss their personal goals and note which skills will help them achieve each.
Worksheet
Post-Secondary Goals Brainstorm Worksheet
Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________
My Future Goals
Think about what you want to do when you are older. These can be things you want to learn, jobs you want to have, or places you want to go.
Goal 1:
What is one big goal you have for your future?
What life skills do you think will help you achieve this goal? (Hint: Think about communication, time management, problem-solving, etc.)
Goal 2:
What is another important goal you have?
What life skills do you think will help you achieve this goal?
Goal 3 (Optional):
Do you have a third goal in mind?
What life skills will you need for this goal?
Game
Goal Matching Game Cards
Instructions for Teacher: Print these cards and cut them out. Each student pair or small group should receive one set of cards.
Life Skill Cards (Cut these out individually)
| Card | Life Skill |
|---|---|
| 1 | Communication |
| 2 | Time Management |
| 3 | Critical Thinking |
| 4 | Self-Awareness |
| 5 | Collaboration |
Personal Outcome Cards (Cut these out individually)
| Card | Personal Outcome |
|---|---|
| A | Clearly explaining your ideas to friends or teachers |
| B | Finishing your homework on time so you have time to play |
| C | Figuring out why a game isn't working and fixing it |
| D | Knowing what you are good at and what you need to practice |
| E | Working together with your classmates on a school project |