Lesson Plan
One-on-One Conferences
Guide each student through a 30-minute conference to reflect on progress, evaluate via rubric, and set new SMART financial and life-skill goals.
Personalized goal conferences build self-awareness, accountability, and motivation, helping Tier 3 students stay on track and take ownership of their financial and life-skill growth.
Audience
8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Guided one-on-one SMART goal review
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
10 minutes
- Gather each student’s completed SMART Goals Journal
- Print or have digital access to Goal Achievement Rubric and Progress Snapshot
- Review the student’s existing SMART goals and past conference notes
- Identify areas of strength and challenge based on prior sessions
Step 1
Build Rapport and Set the Stage
2 minutes
- Greet the student warmly and thank them for meeting
- Remind them of the purpose: celebrating progress and setting next steps
- Ensure a comfortable, private space for honest reflection
Step 2
Reflect on Progress
8 minutes
- Invite the student to open their SMART Goals Journal
- Ask them to summarize wins and obstacles since the last session
- Listen actively, acknowledging feelings and effort
- Highlight specific achievements to reinforce positive habits
Step 3
Evaluate Using the Rubric
8 minutes
- Introduce the Goal Achievement Rubric
- Review each criterion (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
- Have the student self-assess their goals against each rubric point
- Compare teacher observation and discuss any rating gaps
Step 4
Set or Adjust SMART Goals
8 minutes
- Based on the rubric discussion, guide the student to refine existing goals or set new ones
- Ensure each goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound
- Record updated goals in the SMART Goals Journal
- Confirm the student’s commitment and understanding of next steps
Step 5
Capture a Progress Snapshot & Close
4 minutes
- Complete the Progress Snapshot together: key wins, areas to work on, and next meeting date
- Encourage the student to share takeaways and feel proud of progress
- Schedule the next conference and remind them to continue journaling daily
Journal
SMART Goals Journal
Welcome to your personal SMART Goals Journal! This journal will help you set, track, and reflect on your financial and life-skill goals each week. Use the space provided to write thoughtfully and celebrate your progress.
How to Use This Journal
- At the beginning of each week, write a new SMART goal using the prompts below.
- Throughout the week, track your progress.
- At the end of the week, reflect on wins, challenges, and next steps.
- Monthly, review your entries and adjust your goals for the next month.
Weekly SMART Goal Planner
Date: ___________________
- Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve this week?
- Measurable: How will you measure success? What numbers or indicators will tell you you’ve achieved it?
- Achievable: What steps will you take to reach this goal? Do you have the resources you need?
- Relevant: Why is this goal important to your financial or life skills growth?
- Time-bound: What is your deadline for completion this week?
Mid-Week Check-In
Date: ___________________
- Progress Update: What have you done so far? Be specific.
- Obstacles Faced: What challenges are you encountering? How might you overcome them?
- Action Steps: What will you do next to stay on track?
Weekly Reflection
Date: ___________________
- Win: What is one thing you did well this week?
- Challenge: What held you back from fully achieving your goal?
- Lesson Learned: What did you learn about yourself and your goals?
- Next Steps: How will you adjust your goal or strategy for next week?
Monthly Review (End of Month)
Month: ___________________
- Top 3 Achievements:
-
- Biggest Obstacle:
- Strategies That Worked:
- Adjustments for Next Month:
Keep this journal handy for your One-on-One Conferences and use it to celebrate how far you’ve come. You’ve got this, Goal Getter!
Rubric
Goal Achievement Rubric
Use this rubric to assess and refine your SMART goals during One-on-One Conferences.
| Criterion | 1 – Beginning | 2 – Developing | 3 – Proficient | 4 – Exemplary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specific | The goal is vague or too broad. | Some details are present but still unclear. | Goal clearly defines what to achieve. | Goal is highly detailed, precise, and leaves no ambiguity. |
| Measurable | No clear indicator of success. | One metric is identified but is hard to track. | Includes a clear, quantifiable indicator. | Uses multiple relevant metrics with a defined tracking plan. |
| Achievable | Steps or resources needed are unrealistic or missing. | Some steps are feasible; resource needs are vague. | Presents realistic steps and resources. | Offers a thoughtful action plan with milestones and contingencies. |
| Relevant | Goal does not connect to financial/life skills. | Weak or indirect connection to learning objectives. | Directly supports targeted financial or life-skill growth. | Strongly aligned with the student’s long-term academic and personal goals. |
| Time-bound | No deadline or time frame specified. | Deadline is vague or overly flexible. | Clear deadline set within an appropriate period. | Detailed timeline with interim check-in dates. |
Total Score: ____ / 20
Performance Levels:
• 5–8 Beginning Needs teacher support to sharpen SMART elements.
• 9–13 Developing Most SMART elements present; requires refinement.
• 14–17 Proficient SMART goal meets criteria and is ready for action.
• 18–20 Exemplary Fully SMART and thoroughly planned for success.
Use your score to guide revisions in your SMART Goals Journal and to track progress in your Progress Snapshot.
Cool Down
Progress Snapshot
Date: ___________________
- Key Win: What is one success you achieved since our last conference?
- Area for Growth: What challenge will you focus on improving before our next meeting?
- Updated SMART Goal: Write your refined or new SMART goal for this week.
- Next Steps: List 2–3 specific action steps you will take to reach this goal.
- Step 1: ___________________
- Step 2: ___________________
- Step 3 (optional): ___________________
- Next Conference Date: ___________________
Use this snapshot as a quick reference for your progress and action plan. We’ll revisit these points in our next One-on-One Conferences.
Slide Deck
Goal Getter: One-on-One Conference
Welcome! Today we'll work together to review your financial and life-skill goals, assess progress, and set new SMART targets for the week.
Welcome students and explain the purpose of today’s one-on-one conference: to celebrate progress, reflect on challenges, and set clear SMART goals moving forward.
Conference Agenda
- Build Rapport & Set the Stage
- Reflect on Progress
- Evaluate Using the Rubric
- Set or Adjust SMART Goals
- Capture a Progress Snapshot & Close
Walk through each step briefly. Emphasize that this is a collaborative conversation to support growth.
1. Build Rapport & Set the Stage
• Greet warmly and thank the student for meeting.
• Remind them of the conference purpose: celebrate wins, discuss challenges, plan next steps.
• Ensure a private, comfortable space for open reflection.
Use this time to connect personally. A strong rapport helps students share honestly.
2. Reflect on Progress
• Open your SMART Goals Journal.
• Ask: “What wins have you had since our last session?”
• Ask: “What obstacles did you face, and how did you handle them?”
• Acknowledge effort and highlight specific achievements.
Encourage the student to lead this part. Ask open-ended questions and listen actively.
3. Evaluate Using the Rubric
Review each SMART criterion in the Goal Achievement Rubric:
• Specific: Clarity of goal details
• Measurable: Defined success indicators
• Achievable: Realistic steps and resources
• Relevant: Connection to financial/life-skill growth
• Time-bound: Clear deadline or timeline
Display or have the rubric printed. Guide the student to self-assess each SMART element.
4. Set or Adjust SMART Goals
• Based on rubric feedback, refine existing goals or set new ones.
• Ensure each goal is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
• Record updates in the SMART Goals Journal.
• Confirm the student’s understanding and commitment to next steps.
Help the student refine or create new goals by referencing their rubric scores.
5. Capture a Progress Snapshot & Close
Fill out the Progress Snapshot:
• Key Win since last session
• Area for Growth to target next
• Updated SMART Goal for this week
• 2–3 Action Steps to stay on track
• Schedule Next Conference Date
Complete this together. Reinforce next steps and motivate the student.
Next Steps & Reminders
• Continue journaling in your SMART Goals Journal daily.
• Review your action steps mid-week.
• Come prepared to share wins and challenges in our next session.
• Keep your Progress Snapshot handy as a quick reference.
Encourage daily journaling and remind them when you’ll meet next.