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Gear Up Quest

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Lesson Plan

Gear Up Quest

Students will explore upcoming monthly learning themes and collaboratively set personal and group goals to energize engagement for the year ahead.

This kickoff session builds community, clarifies expectations, and fosters motivation by involving students in shaping their learning journey, setting a positive tone for the monthly lessons.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive overview, group brainstorming, and reflection.

Materials

  • Projector and Screen, - Whiteboard and Dry-Erase Markers, - Monthly Themes Overview Handout, - Sticky Notes, - Markers, - Index Cards, - Timer or Stopwatch, and - Upbeat Music Playlist

Prep

Prepare Classroom Environment

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of Monthly Themes Overview Handout for each student
  • Set up projector and load theme overview slides
  • Arrange seating into small-group clusters for brainstorming
  • Place sticky notes, markers, and index cards on each table
  • Queue an upbeat music track for the energizer activity

Step 1

Welcome and Energizer

5 minutes

  • Play upbeat music as students enter the room
  • Hand each student an index card; have them write their name and a fun fact
  • Conduct a quick icebreaker: toss a soft ball, and the catcher shares their fun fact
  • Collect cards for later use

Step 2

Introduce Monthly Themes

7 minutes

  • Distribute Monthly Themes Overview Handout
  • Project and briefly present each month’s theme (30–45 seconds per theme)
  • Highlight essential questions and skills students will develop
  • Invite a few volunteers to read aloud intriguing aspects

Step 3

Collaborative Goal Setting

8 minutes

  • Divide students into groups of 4–5 at their tables
  • Provide each group with sticky notes and markers
  • Prompt: “What goals do we want to achieve each month?”
  • Groups write one goal per sticky note and post them on the whiteboard under month headings

Step 4

Group Share and Reflection

7 minutes

  • Invite each group to share their top two goals with the whole class
  • Teacher synthesizes recurring themes, writing key ideas on the board
  • Facilitate a brief discussion: How will these goals help us succeed?
  • Encourage students to connect goals to personal interests

Step 5

Closing and Next Steps

3 minutes

  • Thank students for their contributions and excitement
  • Preview first monthly lesson and where to find resources online
  • Assign an exit slip: on an index card, write one thing you’re most excited to learn this year
  • Collect exit slips as students leave
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Slide Deck

Gear Up Quest Kickoff

• Explore our year-long monthly themes
• Set personal and group goals
• Engage in team activities to build momentum

Let’s get started!

Welcome students with energy and set the tone. Play upbeat music as they enter. Ask them to write their name and a fun fact on an index card and lead a quick ball-toss icebreaker.

Welcome & Energizer

  1. Upbeat music plays as you settle in
  2. Write your name & a fun fact on an index card
  3. Toss the ball around; catcher shares their fact
  4. We’ll collect cards for later surprises

Explain the energizer. Encourage everyone to join in and be enthusiastic.

Introducing Monthly Themes

• Distribute Monthly Themes Overview Handout
• Quick 30–45 sec overview per month’s theme
• Note essential questions & skills for each
• Volunteers read one intriguing aspect

Hand out the Monthly Themes Overview Handout. Briefly click through each month, pointing out key questions and skills.

Collaborative Goal Setting

• Form groups of 4–5
• Use sticky notes & markers
• Prompt: “What goals do we want to achieve each month?”
• Write one goal per note and post under each month

Divide into groups of 4–5. Model posting sticky notes under month headings. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking.

Group Share & Reflection

• Each group shares their top 2 goals
• Teacher writes key themes on the board
• Discussion: “How will these goals help us succeed?”
• Link goals to personal interests

Invite each group to share two top goals. Synthesize recurring ideas on the board. Facilitate a short discussion connecting goals to success.

Closing & Exit Slip

• Thank you for your ideas and enthusiasm
• Preview the first monthly lesson & online resources
• Exit Slip: On an index card, write one thing you’re most excited to learn this year
• Hand in your card on the way out

Thank the class and preview next steps. Explain the exit slip clearly and collect as they leave.

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