Lesson Plan
SMART Revisited
Participants will apply SMART criteria to refine and individualize client goals, using structured worksheets and checklists to enhance treatment planning.
Clear, measurable goals drive effective counseling outcomes. This session equips middle school counselors with tools to create and assess SMART goals tailored to diverse student needs.
Audience
Middle School Counseling Team
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive review, hands-on practice, peer feedback
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Review SMART Revisited lesson plan for SMART goal examples
- Download and preview Blueprint Basics slide deck
- Print sufficient copies of Client Goal Planner and Goal Quality Checklist
- Arrange seating for small-group discussions
Step 1
Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Invite counselors to share one recent success and one challenge in client goal setting
- Capture common themes on a whiteboard to prime discussion
Step 2
Review SMART Criteria
10 minutes
- Present SMART framework slides in Blueprint Basics
- Illustrate each element with brief client scenarios
- Facilitate Q&A to clarify specific counseling applications
Step 3
Refining Sample Goals
10 minutes
- Pair counselors and distribute Client Goal Planner
- Provide two sample goals; pairs refine them to meet SMART criteria
- Use Goal Quality Checklist to evaluate and score each revised goal
- Instructor circulates to support and prompt deeper specificity
Step 4
Debrief & Next Steps
5 minutes
- Each pair shares one refined goal and rationale for its SMART alignment
- Summarize best practices and address any remaining questions
- Assign counselors to refine a goal for an active client before the next team meeting
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Slide Deck
Goal Blueprint: Refining SMART Goals
Small-group session for Middle School Counseling Team
• 30 minutes
• Focus: Tailoring measurable, achievable goals for individual clients
• Materials:
– Client Goal Planner
– Goal Quality Checklist
Welcome participants and introduce the session. Emphasize goal of refining SMART goals tailored to middle school clients. Briefly revisit why clear objectives matter in counseling.
Agenda
- Warm-Up (5 min)
- Review SMART Criteria (10 min)
- Practice Refining Goals (10 min)
- Debrief & Next Steps (5 min)
Orient participants to our flow. Remind them of time allocations and interactive nature.
What Is a SMART Goal?
Specific: Clearly describes target behavior or outcome
Measurable: Quantifiable indicators of success
Achievable: Realistic given client’s skills & resources
Relevant: Aligned with client’s needs and priorities
Time-Bound: Defined deadline for completion
Define SMART as foundation for goal setting in counseling. Encourage questions after reviewing all elements.
SMART in Counseling Context
Specific: “Student will attend 4/5 advisory meetings weekly”
Measurable: “Student will journal emotions 3× per week”
Achievable: Set goal at current skill level (e.g., one peer interaction at lunch)
Relevant: Tied to student’s social-emotional growth plan
Time-Bound: Complete within 6 weeks
Use client-centered examples to illustrate each element. Ask counselors to share any tips after each definition.
Practice: Refining Sample Goals
• Pair up and open Client Goal Planner
• You have two sample goals to revise
• Apply SMART elements to enhance clarity and specificity
Transition to hands-on work. Explain [Client Goal Planner] worksheet structure.
Use the Goal Quality Checklist
• After refining, evaluate with Goal Quality Checklist
• Score each element
• Discuss strengths and areas for improvement
Circulate and prompt deeper specificity: Who, what, when, how. Encourage peers to use checklist.
Debrief: Share & Reflect
• Each pair reads:
– Original goal
– Revised SMART goal
– Rationale for changes
• Capture key takeaways on whiteboard
Invite pairs to share one revised goal. Highlight best practices and innovative approaches.
Next Steps & Resources
• Refine one active client goal by next team meeting
• Resources:
– Client Goal Planner
– Goal Quality Checklist
• Questions?
Outline assignments and resources for continued practice.
Thank You!
With clear, measurable goals, we empower students toward success. Ready to put SMART into action!
Thank the team and reinforce the impact of well-crafted goals on student outcomes.
Worksheet
Client Goal Planner Worksheet
Client Name: ____________________________________ Date: _______________
Goal Focus/Topic: _________________________________________________________
1. Specific
Describe exactly what the client will do (who, what, where, how).
2. Measurable
How will you quantify or observe progress? (units, frequency, criteria).
3. Achievable
Why is this realistic for this client right now? What skills or supports are needed?
4. Relevant
How does this goal align with the client’s needs, priorities, or treatment plan?
5. Time-Bound
What is the deadline or time frame for achieving this goal?
Complete SMART Goal Statement
Combine all elements into one concise statement:
Monitoring Plan (Optional)
How often will you review progress and what methods will you use? (e.g., weekly check-ins, behavior logs)
Use the Goal Quality Checklist to evaluate each element and ensure goal clarity.
Rubric
Goal Quality Checklist
Use this rubric to evaluate each SMART goal element. Score each area from 1 (Needs Improvement) to 4 (Exemplary).
| Criteria | 1 Needs Improvement | 2 Developing | 3 Proficient | 4 Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific | Description is vague or missing key details. | Some details present; lacks clarity on who, what, where. | Generally clear; minor details about context or method are missing. | Exceptionally detailed; clearly defines who, what, where, how. |
| Measurable | No measurable component; progress cannot be tracked. | A measure is indicated but lacks clear frequency or criteria. | Clear indicators of progress; frequency and criteria defined with minor gaps. | Precisely quantifiable; frequency, units, and success criteria are explicit. |
| Achievable | Unrealistic given client’s current skills/resources. | Some consideration of client capacity; support needs unclear. | Realistic goal; identifies necessary supports or skills. | Thoroughly realistic; details client’s strengths and specific supports needed to succeed. |
| Relevant | Unrelated to client’s needs or treatment plan. | Limited connection to client priorities; relevance is weak. | Relevant and aligned with treatment plan; could strengthen linkage. | Directly tied to client’s goals and priorities; essential for the client’s growth. |
| Time-Bound | No deadline or time frame specified. | Time frame is vague or not realistic for completion. | Deadline provided and generally realistic; may lack interim check-ins. | Clear, appropriate deadline with milestones or check-in points to monitor progress. |