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Goal Getters

Lesson Plan

Mastering Your Goals

Students will learn to identify the characteristics of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and develop personal action plans to achieve their goals. They will also explore strategies for overcoming common obstacles.

Setting clear and attainable goals is crucial for personal growth and academic success. This lesson empowers students to take ownership of their aspirations, build resilience, and develop practical life skills for achieving what they set their minds to.

Audience

8th Grade Group

Time

55 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided practice, and collaborative planning.

Materials

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare Handouts

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: What's Your Dream?

5 minutes

Begin by asking students to think about something they want to achieve, big or small.
Facilitate a brief group share using the prompt: "If you could achieve one thing this week, what would it be and why?"

Step 2

Introduction to SMART Goals

15 minutes

Use the SMART Goals for Success Slide Deck to introduce the concept of SMART goals.
Go through each letter (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with examples relevant to 8th graders (e.g., academic, personal, extracurricular).
Encourage students to ask questions and provide their own initial thoughts on what makes a good goal.

Step 3

SMART Goal Practice & Planning

20 minutes

Distribute the My Goal-Getter Planner Worksheet.
Guide students through the worksheet, helping them transform one of their initial

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Slide Deck

Goal Getters: Your Path to Success!

What do you dream of achieving? Let's make it happen!

Welcome students and introduce the idea of setting goals. Ask a general question to get them thinking about their aspirations.

What are SMART Goals?

A powerful way to set goals that you can actually achieve!

S
M
A
R
T

Introduce the acronym SMART as a powerful tool for goal setting.

S - Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve?

  • Clear and well-defined
  • Answers the 5 W questions: Who, What, When, Where, Why?

Example: Instead of "Get better grades," try "Improve my Math grade to a B+ by the end of the semester."

Explain 'Specific' with an example. Emphasize clarity and detail.

M - Measurable

How will you know when you've reached your goal?

  • Quantifiable (use numbers!)
  • Allows you to track progress

Example: Instead of "Read more," try "Read one non-fiction book per month."

Explain 'Measurable' and how to track progress.

A - Achievable

Is your goal realistic and attainable?

  • Challenging but not impossible
  • Consider your resources and skills

Example: Instead of "Learn to fly a plane next week," try "Research flight schools and requirements this month."

Explain 'Achievable' and the importance of realistic but challenging goals.

R - Relevant

Does this goal matter to you?

  • Aligns with your values and other aspirations
  • Makes sense for your life right now

Example: If you want to be a veterinarian, studying science is a relevant goal.

Explain 'Relevant' and linking goals to personal values.

T - Time-bound

When do you want to achieve this goal by?

  • Set a clear deadline
  • Creates urgency and helps with planning

Example: Instead of "Someday, I'll save money," try "Save $100 for a new bike by my birthday in three months."

Explain 'Time-bound' and the importance of deadlines.

Putting it all Together!

SMART goals help you turn dreams into reality.

Now, let's make YOUR goals SMART!

Summarize SMART goals and transition to the worksheet activity.

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Worksheet

My Goal-Getter Planner

Name: ____________________________
Date: ____________________________

My Goal Idea

What is one thing you want to achieve? Describe it briefly.







Making It SMART!

Let's break down your goal using the SMART framework.

S - Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? Where will it happen? When? Why is this goal important to you?












M - Measurable

How will you measure your progress? How will you know when you've reached your goal? What numbers or indicators can you use?












A - Achievable

Is this goal realistic and attainable for you right now? Do you have the skills and resources, or can you get them? What challenges might you face and how can you address them?












R - Relevant

Does this goal truly matter to you? Does it align with your values and other important things in your life? Why is this a good goal for you?












T - Time-bound

When exactly do you want to achieve this goal? Set a clear deadline.




My SMART Goal Statement

Now, write your complete SMART goal in one clear sentence:







Action Plan: Steps to Success!

What specific steps will you take to achieve your SMART goal? List at least 3-5 steps.
















What is your first step? (Something you can do immediately!)




Who Can Help Me?

List people who can support you (teachers, family, friends, counselors):




Potential Obstacles

What might make it difficult to achieve your goal? How can you prepare for these challenges?







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Discussion

Overcoming Obstacles to Achievement

Introduction: The Roadblocks of Life (5 minutes)

Teacher: "We've talked about setting amazing SMART goals. But let's be real, sometimes things don't go exactly as planned. We hit roadblocks! What are some things that can make it hard to reach a goal?"

  • Allow students to share initial ideas. Jot them down on a board if possible.

Discussion Prompts (20 minutes)

Divide students into small groups (if not already in one) or facilitate as a whole group.

  1. Identifying Common Obstacles:

    • "Think about a time you tried to achieve something, but it didn't work out. What got in your way? (No need to share personal details if you don't want to, just focus on the 'what'.)"
    • "What are some common challenges 8th graders face when trying to reach goals related to school, friendships, or personal hobbies?"






  2. Brainstorming Strategies:

    • "When you hit an obstacle, what's one thing you can do to keep going or find a new path?"
    • "How can breaking a big goal into smaller steps help when you feel stuck?"
    • "Who are some people in your life that you could ask for help or advice when you face a challenge?"











  3. Building Resilience:

    • "What does it mean to be 'resilient'? How does it help with goal-setting?"
    • "Imagine your goal is a video game level. If you fail, do you quit the game entirely, or do you learn from it and try again? How is that like real-life goal setting?"






Wrap-Up: One Takeaway (5 minutes)

Teacher: "To finish up, I want each of you to share one new idea or strategy you learned today about overcoming obstacles, or one thing you'll remember the next time you face a challenge with your goals."

  • Go around the group, allowing each student to share briefly.
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Goal Getters • Lenny Learning