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
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
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
Upbeat music plays as you settle in
Write your name & a fun fact on an index card
Toss the ball around; catcher shares their fact
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.
