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Goal Getters

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cmiller

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Goal Getters Lesson Plan

Guide 10th grade low-achieving boys through an 8-week small group to set, track, and achieve SMART goals by teaching strategies, facilitating reflection, and building accountability.

Structured goal setting boosts motivation, self-regulation, and academic persistence. This Tier 2 group intervention provides targeted support, peer accountability, and reflective practice to help students gain confidence and improve outcomes.

Audience

10th Grade low-achieving male students

Time

8 sessions of 30 minutes each

Approach

Weekly guided activities, reflection, and peer accountability.

Materials

  • SMART Goal Setting Worksheet, - Strengths Inventory Activity, - Weekly Goal Tracker Chart, - Reflection Journal Template, - Accountability Partner Cards, and - Progress Monitoring Dashboard

Prep

Teacher Preparation

30 minutes

  • Review all program materials, including the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet, Strengths Inventory Activity, and Reflection Journal Template.
  • Print one copy per student of worksheets and tracker charts.
  • Prepare sets of Accountability Partner Cards for pairing exercises.
  • Set up and test the Progress Monitoring Dashboard for group use.

Step 1

Week 1: Introduction to SMART Goals

30 minutes

  • Discuss what goals are and why they matter.
  • Introduce the SMART framework: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
  • Model writing a SMART goal together.
  • Students complete the first section of the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet.

Step 2

Week 2: Identifying Strengths & Growth Areas

30 minutes

  • Facilitate a strengths inventory activity using the Strengths Inventory Activity.
  • Discuss how understanding strengths and weaknesses informs goal choice.
  • Students list personal strengths and areas to improve on their worksheets.
  • Pair-share reflections using Accountability Partner Cards.

Step 3

Week 3: Setting Personal & Academic Goals

30 minutes

  • Review SMART criteria.
  • Students brainstorm one personal and one academic SMART goal.
  • Use the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet to formalize both goals.
  • Group shares one goal each for feedback.

Step 4

Week 4: Breaking Goals into Action Steps

30 minutes

  • Teach how to decompose a goal into smaller tasks.
  • Demonstrate action planning on the board.
  • Students complete the action-steps section on their worksheets.
  • Assign each student to enter tasks into the Weekly Goal Tracker Chart.

Step 5

Week 5: Overcoming Barriers & Building Growth Mindset

30 minutes

  • Discuss common obstacles and reframing challenges.
  • Teach growth vs. fixed mindset.
  • Students identify potential barriers and write coping strategies on their worksheets.
  • Partner role-play overcoming setbacks using Accountability Partner Cards.

Step 6

Week 6: Tracking Progress & Adjusting Goals

30 minutes

  • Demonstrate how to log progress on the Weekly Goal Tracker Chart.
  • Students update their trackers and reflect in the Reflection Journal Template.
  • Discuss how to revise goals if needed.

Step 7

Week 7: Peer Accountability & Support

30 minutes

  • Explain the role of accountability partners.
  • Students pair up and set check-in schedules using Accountability Partner Cards.
  • Conduct mini peer-check-ins and record feedback in journals.

Step 8

Week 8: Celebration & Next Steps

30 minutes

  • Review progress on the Progress Monitoring Dashboard and trackers.
  • Students share successes and lessons learned.
  • Facilitate a celebration and award certificates.
  • Guide students to set one new SMART goal for post-program reflection in their journals.
lenny

Slide Deck

Week 1: Introduction to SMART Goals

Objectives:

  • Understand what goals are and why they matter
  • Learn the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Begin crafting a SMART goal in writing

Welcome students to Week 1. Introduce the importance of goal setting. Use a quick warm-up: ask for examples of things they’d like to achieve.

Activities & Materials

  • Brief whole-group discussion: What is a goal? Why set one?
  • Introduce and explain each SMART element
  • Model writing a SMART goal on the board
  • Students complete Section 1 on the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet

Guide the class through each SMART component. Share an example SMART goal. Distribute worksheets when ready.

Visual Example

Insert a SMART Goals infographic here:

  • S = Specific
  • M = Measurable
  • A = Achievable
  • R = Relevant
  • T = Time-bound

Display an infographic with the SMART acronym. Point to each letter and highlight keywords.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
What is one goal you care about? How can you make it SMART?
Write your draft and discuss with a partner.

Use think-pair-share. Encourage students to refine one personal goal to fit SMART criteria.

Week 2: Identifying Strengths & Growth Areas

Objectives:

  • Identify personal strengths and areas for improvement
  • Understand how strengths guide goal choice
  • Practice sharing insights with a partner

Explain the strengths inventory activity. Emphasize honest self-assessment.

Activities & Materials

  • Students complete the Strengths Inventory Activity handout
  • Discuss how strengths/weaknesses inform goals
  • Students list strengths and growth areas on their worksheets
  • Pair-share using Accountability Partner Cards

Facilitate each step clearly. Monitor partner conversations.

Visual Example

Insert a Strengths Wheel graphic here:

  • Categories: academic, social, personal, extracurricular

Show a “Strengths Wheel” diagram. Explain how to categorize skills.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
Share one personal strength and one area to improve.
How might you use your strength to address that area?

Encourage vulnerability. Celebrate honest sharing and peer encouragement.

Week 3: Setting Personal & Academic Goals

Objectives:

  • Review SMART criteria
  • Brainstorm one personal and one academic goal
  • Formalize both as SMART goals

Frame Week 3 as the bridge from insights to concrete goals.

Activities & Materials

  • Quick SMART refresher
  • Individual brainstorming session
  • Students write both goals on the SMART Goal Setting Worksheet
  • Volunteers share one goal for group feedback

Guide brainstorming quietly. Offer examples.

Visual Example

Insert sample SMART goals:

  • Personal: "Read one new book each month by June"
  • Academic: "Increase math quiz average from 70% to 85% in 8 weeks"

Show sample SMART goals for inspiration.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
Which goal resonates most with you? Why?
How could you improve it further?

Encourage positive, constructive feedback from peers.

Week 4: Breaking Goals into Action Steps

Objectives:

  • Learn to decompose goals into smaller tasks
  • Create an action plan with deadlines
  • Record tasks in a tracker

Introduce the concept of breaking big goals into tasks.

Activities & Materials

  • Action-planning demonstration
  • Students complete action steps section on their SMART sheets
  • Enter tasks into Weekly Goal Tracker Chart

Demonstrate on board, then support individuals.

Visual Example

Insert an Action Plan diagram:
Goal at top, branches to Task 1, Task 2, Task 3 with dates

Display a flowchart showing goal → tasks → deadlines.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
What is one specific task you will complete this week?
What is your deadline for it?

Circulate to ensure every student sets at least three tasks.

Week 5: Overcoming Barriers & Growth Mindset

Objectives:

  • Identify common obstacles
  • Learn growth vs. fixed mindset
  • Develop coping strategies

Discuss barriers and introduce growth mindset.

Activities & Materials

  • Discussion: Typical setbacks and reframing
  • Growth vs. Fixed Mindset chart
  • Students list barriers and strategies on worksheets
  • Role-play overcoming setbacks with Accountability Partner Cards

Lead a mini-lesson on growth mindset. Use real examples.

Visual Example

Insert Growth vs Fixed Mindset comparison graphic

Show a side-by-side chart of growth vs fixed mindsets.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
What is one barrier you face? How will you overcome it?
Share your coping strategy.

Encourage students to be honest about their barriers and creative in strategies.

Week 6: Tracking Progress & Adjusting Goals

Objectives:

  • Update weekly progress tracker
  • Reflect on successes and challenges
  • Revise goals or tasks if needed

Explain progress tracking and goal adjustment.

Activities & Materials

  • Demonstrate logging progress on Weekly Goal Tracker Chart
  • Students update their own trackers
  • Reflect in Reflection Journal Template
  • Discuss possible goal revisions

Model filling out the tracker for one student’s sample goal.

Visual Example

Insert Sample Tracker Entry Screenshot

Display a filled sample tracker entry for visual guidance.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
What progress did you make this week?
Do you need to adjust your goal or tasks? How?

Prompt honest self-reflection. Offer one-on-one support as needed.

Week 7: Peer Accountability & Support

Objectives:

  • Establish accountability partnerships
  • Practice peer check-ins
  • Give and receive supportive feedback

Describe the role of accountability partners.

Activities & Materials

  • Pair up students with Accountability Partner Cards
  • Set regular check-in times
  • Conduct mini peer-check-ins and record feedback in journals

Help pairs set up check-in schedules. Model a brief check-in.

Visual Example

Insert Accountability Network graphic

Show a diagram of an accountability network with check-in points.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
How did your partner support you this week?
What feedback will you act on?

Encourage positive reinforcement and constructive suggestions.

Week 8: Celebration & Next Steps

Objectives:

  • Review overall progress
  • Share successes and lessons learned
  • Plan new SMART goals for the future

Frame this as a celebration of effort and growth.

Activities & Materials

  • Review Progress Monitoring Dashboard
  • Students share top achievements
  • Award certificates of completion
  • Guide students to set one new SMART goal for post-program

Highlight key data from the dashboard. Present certificates if available.

Visual Example

Insert Progress Monitoring Dashboard screenshot

Display a screenshot of the group’s dashboard to date.

Reflection & Discussion

Prompt:
What is your next SMART goal beyond this program?
How will you keep yourself accountable?

Encourage excitement about future growth. Collect journals at end.

lenny

Worksheet

SMART Goal Setting Worksheet

Use this worksheet to craft a clear, actionable SMART goal. Fill in each section fully before writing your final goal statement.

1. Specific

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







2. Measurable

How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? What evidence will show your progress (e.g., numbers, dates, checkpoints)?







3. Achievable

What steps will you take to reach this goal? What resources or support do you need? Are there potential obstacles and how will you address them?







4. Relevant

Why does this goal matter to you right now? How does it connect to your personal or academic priorities?







5. Time-bound

What is your deadline? When will you start, and what are the interim milestones or check-in dates?







Final SMART Goal Statement

Combine all elements into one concise statement. Use the template below or write your own:

"My goal is to _________________________________________________________________ by _________________. I will measure progress by ___________________________________________________, complete steps including ________________________________________________, and overcome obstacles such as ________________ with support from ________________."












lenny
lenny

Activity

Strengths Inventory Activity

Let's think about what you are good at! Read through the lists below. Circle or highlight the things that you feel strong in. You can also add your own ideas!

Example Strengths Wheel Graphic Description

Imagine a circle divided into wedges, like a pizza. Each wedge represents a different category of strengths. Your strengths are listed within each wedge.

  • Center: "My Super Strengths!"
  • Wedge 1: Academic Strengths (e.g., Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Organization, Resilience in Learning, Creativity, Collaboration, Research, Communication)
  • Wedge 2: Social Strengths (e.g., Empathy, Leadership, Adaptability, Kindness, Humor, Listening, Conflict Resolution, Self-Control)
  • Wedge 3: Personal Strengths (e.g., Perseverance, Self-Discipline, Optimism, Honesty, Resourcefulness, Initiative, Problem-Solving, Patience)
  • Wedge 4: Hobby & Talent Strengths (e.g., Teamwork, Dedication, Artistic Skills, Technical Aptitude, Physical Prowess, Mentorship, Craftsmanship, Innovation)

Arrows might connect the center to each wedge, showing how your overall "super strengths" are made up of these different areas. You would fill in specific examples from your own life in each section.

School Strengths

  • Thinking Deeply: You are good at looking closely at information and solving tricky problems.
  • Asking Questions: You love to learn and always want to know more.
  • Staying Organized: You keep your schoolwork and supplies neat and tidy.
  • Never Giving Up: You keep trying even when schoolwork is hard.
  • Creative Ideas: You like to come up with new and different ways to do things.
  • Working with Others: You are good at being part of a team in class projects.
  • Finding Information: You are good at looking up facts and understanding them.
  • Sharing Ideas: You can clearly tell others what you think and write well.

Other school strengths:




Life & Friend Strengths

  • Understanding Others: You can understand how friends and family are feeling.
  • Leading the Way: You are good at guiding a group and helping everyone do their best.
  • Bouncing Back: When things are tough, you get back up and try again.
  • Being Kind: You are naturally nice and caring to people.
  • Making People Laugh: You have a good sense of humor and can cheer people up.
  • Good Listener: You pay attention and understand what others are saying.
  • Fixing Problems: You are good at finding ways to solve everyday issues.
  • Self-Control: You can manage your feelings and actions.

Other life/friend strengths:




Fun & Hobby Strengths

  • Team Player: You work really well with others in sports, clubs, or games.
  • Sticking With It: You are dedicated and practice a lot for your hobbies.
  • Art & Music Skills: You are good at drawing, singing, playing instruments, or acting.
  • Tech Savvy: You are good with computers, tools, or other equipment.
  • Strong & Agile: You are good at sports or other physical activities.
  • Helping Others Learn: You enjoy teaching or helping younger students.
  • Making Things: You are good at building or creating things with your hands.

Other fun/hobby strengths:




Time to Reflect!

Look at all the strengths you picked. Which two or three are your super strengths—the ones you use the most? How do you use these strengths every day?











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lenny

Worksheet

Weekly Goal Tracker Chart

Use this chart each week to record your tasks, set deadlines, track progress, and reflect on next steps.

Week of: ____________________________

TaskDeadlineProgress (circle one)Notes / Next Steps
1. ________________________________________________//____Not Started / In Progress / Completed





2. ________________________________________________//____Not Started / In Progress / Completed





3. ________________________________________________//____Not Started / In Progress / Completed





4. ________________________________________________//____Not Started / In Progress / Completed





5. ________________________________________________//____Not Started / In Progress / Completed





Weekly Reflection

  1. Which task did you complete most successfully? Why?





  2. What challenges did you face this week?





  3. What will you do differently next week to improve your progress?





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lenny

Journal

Reflection Journal Template

Use this journal at the end of each week’s session to think deeply about your goals, strategies, and growth. Answer each prompt thoughtfully.

Week of: ____________________________

1. Weekly Goals Review

What were your specific goal(s) for this week? Did you achieve them? Why or why not?







2. Action Steps Reflection

List the main actions you took toward your goal(s). Which action was most effective and why?







3. Challenges & Barriers

What obstacles did you face? How did these challenges affect your progress?







4. Strategy & Mindset

What strategies or mindset shifts (e.g., growth mindset, planning) helped you overcome barriers?







5. Accountability Partner Feedback

What feedback or support did your partner provide? How did that influence your work?







6. Emotional Check-In

How did you feel this week—motivated, frustrated, proud? What triggered those feelings?







7. Key Learning & Insight

What is one important lesson you learned about yourself or goal setting this week?







8. Next Week’s Plan

Based on this reflection, what specific steps or adjustments will you make for next week?







Keep your journal handy each week to track your growth over time!

lenny
lenny

Activity

Accountability Partner Cards

Use these cards during partner check-ins to guide your conversations, give and receive feedback, and stay on track with your goals. Each partner takes turns drawing a card and asking their partner the questions. Switch roles after each card.

Card 1: Progress Check

  1. What progress did you make on your tasks since our last check-in?




  1. What was your biggest success?



Card 2: Obstacle Exploration

  1. What challenges or barriers did you face?




  1. How did you respond to these challenges?



Card 3: Strategy Brainstorm

  1. Which strategy helped you the most this week?




  1. What new strategy or approach could you try next?



Card 4: Goal Adjustment

  1. Does your goal or action plan need any adjustments? Why or why not?




  1. What new action steps will you set?



Card 5: Encouragement & Feedback

  1. What’s one thing I can do to support you?




  1. Share one positive thing I noticed about your effort.



Card 6: Next Steps & Commitment

  1. What is one specific action you will commit to before our next meeting?




  1. When will you complete it?



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lenny

Activity

Progress Monitoring Dashboard

Use this dashboard to visualize and track each student’s SMART goal progress over the 8-week program. You can create this in a spreadsheet (e.g., Google Sheets or Excel).

1. Dashboard Layout

Student NameSMART Goal SummaryStart DateTarget Date% CompleteLast UpdatedNotes/Comments
Student AIncrease math quiz average to 85%09/01/202310/27/202340%09/22/2023On track
Student BRead one new book each month by Jun09/01/202310/27/202320%09/22/2023Needs extra support
Student CImprove attendance to 95%+09/01/202310/27/202360%09/22/2023Slightly behind

2. Weekly Updates

  • % Complete – Calculate as (completed tasks ÷ total tasks) × 100.
  • Last Updated – Date you entered the latest progress.
  • Notes/Comments – Quick reflections on successes, barriers, or next steps.

3. Visual Elements

  • Insert a bar chart or progress bars for each student’s % Complete.
  • Use conditional formatting or color coding:
    • Green (75–100%): On track
    • Yellow (50–74%): At risk
    • Red (0–49%): Needs intervention

4. How to Use

  1. Set Up the columns as shown and enter each student’s goal details in Week 1.
  2. Update Weekly after reviewing the Weekly Goal Tracker Chart in sessions 4–6.
  3. Analyze Trends going into Week 7 to identify who needs extra peer or teacher support.
  4. Celebrate & Share the live dashboard with the group in Week 8 to highlight growth and set new targets.

Pro Tip: Share a live link with students so they can monitor classwide progress and stay motivated.

lenny
lenny