• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In

Goal Garden Adventure

mrreyes

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Goal Garden Adventure Lesson Plan

Students will learn to set simple SMART goals by creating a ‘Goal Garden,’ drawing and planning a specific, achievable goal represented as a garden seed and planning a first step to reach it.

Introducing SMART goals at an early age builds self-regulation, planning, and motivation skills, helping kindergarteners understand goal-setting and follow-through in a playful, creative way.

Audience

Kindergarten

Time

15 minutes

Approach

Hands-on garden art activity to practice simple SMART goal setting.

Materials

  • Goal Garden Seeds Template, - Construction Paper, - Colored Pencils or Crayons, - Glue Sticks, and - Goal Garden Reflection Sheet

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

  • Print one copy of the Goal Garden Seeds Template and one of the Goal Garden Reflection Sheet per student.
  • Cut construction paper into individual garden beds if not pre-cut.
  • Gather colored pencils, crayons, and glue sticks at each table.
  • Review the Goal Garden Adventure Lesson Plan to familiarize yourself with the flow.

Step 1

Warm-Up

2 minutes

  • Gather students in a circle and ask, “What is a goal?”
  • Listen to a few responses and explain that a goal is something we want to do or learn.
  • Tell them we’ll plant a pretend garden of goals to help us grow our ideas.

Step 2

Introduce SMART Goals

3 minutes

  • Explain each SMART word with simple language:
    • Specific = clear and not too big
    • Measurable = we can count or see progress
    • Achievable = we can do it
    • Realistic = it makes sense for us
    • Time-bound = we pick when we’ll finish
  • Model an example: “I will put on my shoes by myself in one minute.”

Step 3

Goal Garden Creation

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Goal Garden Seeds Template and art supplies.
  • Ask students to think of one small goal and draw it on their paper seed.
  • Help them say the SMART parts as they draw (e.g., “I will tie my shoes” + “by today”).
  • Color, cut, and then glue each seed onto their construction paper garden bed.

Step 4

Reflection and Share

3 minutes

  • Hand out the Goal Garden Reflection Sheet.
  • Prompt students to draw or dictate the first step they will take toward their goal.
  • Invite volunteers to share their goal and first step with the class.
  • Offer praise and remind them to look at their garden when they practice their goal.
lenny

Slide Deck

Goal Garden Adventure

Plant your goals and watch them grow!

Welcome, friends! Today we’re going on a Goal Garden Adventure. We’ll learn how to set a goal and plant it like a seed. Get ready to use your imagination and art supplies to grow your very own goal garden.

What Is a Goal?

A goal is something we want to do or learn.

Let’s think together: What is a goal? Invite a few answers (“Something we want to do or learn!”). Explain that a goal is like a little seed we plant in our minds.

SMART Goals: Specific & Measurable

• Specific = clear and not too big
• Measurable = we can count or see progress

Introduce the first two SMART ideas. Show the words one at a time: Specific (clear and not too big) and Measurable (we can count or see progress). Use examples like “I will draw one star today.”

SMART Goals: Achievable & Realistic

• Achievable = we can do it
• Realistic = it makes sense for us

Now explain Achievable and Realistic. Achievable means we can really do it; Realistic means it makes sense for us. Use simple class examples: tying shoes, cleaning up blocks.

SMART Goals: Time-bound

• Time-bound = we pick when we’ll finish

Finally, talk about Time-bound. We pick when we’ll finish. Model: “I will put on my shoes by myself in one minute.” Encourage kids to repeat the example.

Goal Garden Creation

  1. Draw your goal on a seed.
  2. Color, cut, and glue it onto your garden bed.
  3. Use art supplies and our Goal Garden Seeds Template.

Let’s create our Goal Garden! Distribute the seeds template and art supplies. Ask students to think of one small goal, draw it on their seed, say the SMART parts, then color, cut, and glue it to the garden bed.

Reflection & Share

Draw or tell your first step on the Goal Garden Reflection Sheet.
Share with classmates!

Hand out the reflection sheet. Ask children to draw or tell you the first step they’ll take toward their goal. Invite volunteers to share their seed and first step. Praise all efforts!

lenny

Worksheet

Goal Garden Seeds Template

Directions

Think of a small goal you want to achieve. For each seed below:

  1. Draw a picture of your goal inside the seed.
  2. On the line below, write: “I will _______ by _______.”

Seed 1













I will __________________________ by __________________________.



Seed 2













I will __________________________ by __________________________.



Seed 3













I will __________________________ by __________________________.

After you finish, cut out your seeds and get ready to glue them onto your garden bed during the Goal Garden Creation activity!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

Goal Garden Reflection Sheet

Directions

  1. Think about the goal you planted in your garden.
  2. Draw the very first step you will take toward your goal in the box below.
  3. On the line, write your first step as a SMART sentence: “I will _______ by _______.”

My First Step Drawing













My First Step Sentence

I will __________________________ by __________________________.



lenny
lenny

Warm Up

Goal Chat

Directions

  1. Gather with your classmates in a circle and discuss:
    • What is a goal?
    • Why do people set goals?
  2. Think of one thing you would like to do or learn this week.

Draw Your Goal













My Goal Sentence

I will ________________________ by ________________________.



lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Garden Pledge

Directions

  1. Think about the goal you planted in your garden and the first step you planned.
  2. Draw yourself taking that first step toward your goal in the box below.

My Growth Drawing













  1. Write a pledge to yourself using a SMART sentence:
    “I will _______ by _______.”






  1. Sign your pledge to make it official:

Signature: ____________________ Date: ________________

lenny
lenny