Lesson Plan
Goal Setter Curriculum
Over four weeks, 6th-grade students will learn to set, track, and reflect on one short-term and one long-term SMART goal, logging progress weekly and adjusting as needed.
Establishing goal-setting and reflection habits builds planning, self-awareness, and persistence—key life and career skills for young adolescents.
Audience
6th Grade Group
Time
Four 40-minute sessions (160 minutes total)
Approach
Guided instruction, collaborative activities, and personal reflection.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review Goals That Stick Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with content and examples.
- Print one copy per student of the Weekly Progress Tracker Worksheet.
- Ensure each student has a Goal Reflection Log Journal.
- Prepare a brief SMART goals overview for discussion.
- Arrange seating for group collaboration and sharing.
Step 1
Session 1: Introduction to Goal Setting
40 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce the four-week module’s purpose.
- Present the difference between short-term and long-term goals using the slide deck.
- Introduce the SMART goals framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Have students brainstorm 2–3 personal goals (one short-term, one long-term).
- Assign students to choose one short-term and one long-term goal to refine next session.
Step 2
Session 2: Crafting SMART Goals
40 minutes
- Review SMART acronym and revisit goals from Session 1.
- Model converting a vague goal into a SMART goal with the group.
- Students draft their short-term SMART goal on paper.
- Pair students for peer feedback and suggestions.
- Students begin drafting their long-term goal outline using SMART criteria.
Step 3
Session 3: Tracking Progress
40 minutes
- Welcome back and have students share one success from their short-term goal.
- Introduce the Weekly Progress Tracker Worksheet.
- Demonstrate how to log tasks, deadlines, and progress for the first week.
- Students complete their first-week tracker entries individually.
- Group discussion: common obstacles and strategies to stay on track.
Step 4
Session 4: Reflecting and Adjusting Goals
40 minutes
- Collect completed Weekly Progress Trackers.
- Introduce the Goal Reflection Log Journal and associated prompts.
- Guide students through reflection: what worked, what challenges arose, lessons learned.
- Students adjust their short- and long-term goals or action steps based on reflections.
- Conclude by celebrating progress, sharing next steps, and encouraging ongoing goal tracking.
Slide Deck
Goals That Stick
Welcome! In this session, we'll explore why goals matter and learn how to create SMART goals that last.
Welcome everyone! Today we begin our journey toward setting goals that stick. Introduce yourself, share excitement, and explain that by the end of this session students will understand why goals matter and how to shape them effectively.
Why Set Goals?
• Gives direction and purpose
• Builds motivation and focus
• Helps track progress
• Encourages persistence
Walk through each bullet, inviting students to share times when having a clear aim helped them succeed. Emphasize the connection between goal setting and personal growth.
Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals
Short-term goals: Achievable in days or weeks
Long-term goals: Achievable in months or years
Examples:
• Short-term: Read one chapter a day
• Long-term: Read 12 books this year
Explain the difference between short-term and long-term goals. Ask students to shout out examples of each and write them on the board.
What Are SMART Goals?
SMART is an acronym:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-bound
Introduce the SMART framework as the proven method for making goals clear and attainable. Preview each letter before diving deeper in upcoming slides.
Specific
A goal must clearly state what you want to accomplish.
Ask:
• Who is involved?
• What exactly do I want to achieve?
Define Specific with a clear example. Then ask students to suggest how a vague goal (“exercise more”) could be made specific.
Measurable
Include criteria to track progress and know when the goal is met.
Ask:
• How much? How many?
• How will I know when it’s complete?
Discuss why measurement is crucial. Show how numbers or milestones let you see progress. Invite students to propose measurable targets for a goal like “get fit.”
Achievable
Your goal should be realistic based on your abilities and resources.
Ask:
• Is this goal within my reach?
Talk about balancing ambition with realism. Encourage students to consider their schedule, resources, and support. Ask for a quick “thumbs up/down” on whether a sample goal is achievable.
Relevant & Time-Bound
Relevant: Aligns with your values and other goals.
Time-Bound: Has a clear deadline.
Ask:
• Why does this matter to me?
• When will I finish?
Explain how relevance keeps you committed and deadlines create urgency. Have students set a deadline for one of their own goals as practice.
Transforming Vague Goals into SMART Goals
Vague: “I want to get better at math.”
SMART: “I will improve my math grade from a C to a B over the next semester by completing weekly practice problems and meeting with a tutor twice a month.”
Show the before/after example. Walk through each SMART element in the transformed goal. Invite students to critique or improve the SMART version.
Your Turn: Draft a SMART Goal
- Write one short-term goal.
- Apply the SMART criteria to refine it.
- Share with your partner for feedback.
Give students 5–7 minutes to draft their own short-term SMART goal. Then instruct them to pair up and give one piece of feedback.
Next Steps
Over the next month:
• Track your goal with the Weekly Progress Tracker.
• Reflect weekly in your Goal Reflection Log.
• Adjust as needed and celebrate your progress!
Preview the next sessions so students know what to expect. Encourage them to keep momentum and ask questions if anything feels challenging.
Worksheet
Weekly Progress Tracker
Week #: __________ Date: __________
- My Long-Term Goal (Restated):
- My Short-Term Goal (Restated):
- Tasks/Actions for This Week:
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- Deadlines for Each Task:
- ___________________________________________ (By: ___________)
- ___________________________________________ (By: ___________)
- ___________________________________________ (By: ___________)
- Progress Check:
What progress did I make toward my goal this week? - Obstacles Encountered:
What challenges or barriers came up? - Strategies for Next Week:
How will I overcome these obstacles moving forward? - Next Week’s Action Steps:
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- ___________________________________________
- Reflection:
How do I feel about my progress and what did I learn this week?
Journal
Goal Reflection Log Journal (#goal-reflection-log-journal)
Use this journal each week to reflect on your progress, celebrate successes, and plan for improvements. Be honest and thoughtful in your responses.
Week #: __________ Date: __________
- Short-Term Goal (Restated):
- Long-Term Goal (Restated):
- My Biggest Success or Accomplishment This Week:
- A Challenge or Obstacle I Encountered:
- Strategies I Used (or Could Use) to Overcome This Challenge:
- How I Felt About My Progress Overall:
- What I Learned About Myself This Week:
- One Thing I Can Change or Improve Next Week:
- One Action Step or Habit I Will Commit To Next Week:
- Draw or Describe a Symbol That Represents Your Progress (optional):
Keep this journal handy and use it alongside your Weekly Progress Tracker Worksheet to stay on track and celebrate every step toward your goals!