Warm Up
Goal Getters: Warm-Up
Time: 5 minutes
Instructions:
Think about a goal you set for yourself in the past, either for school or your personal life. It could be something big or small!
- What was the goal?
- Did you achieve it? Why or why not? (Circle one: Yes / No)
- If Yes: What helped you achieve it?
- If No: What made it difficult, or what could have helped you achieve it?
- If Yes: What helped you achieve it?
Be prepared to share your thoughts with a partner or the class!
Lesson Plan
Goal Getters Lesson Plan
Students will identify and write one academic and one personal goal using the SMART criteria, creating clear, actionable plans to track progress.
Goal setting boosts motivation and self-efficacy, particularly for low-achieving students, by giving them ownership of clear targets and strategies to achieve them.
Audience
9th Grade
Time
35 minutes
Approach
Guided group work and individual reflection
Materials
- Goal Setting Worksheet, - SMART Goals Poster, - Poster Paper, - Colored Markers, and - Goal Getters Warm-Up
Prep
Prepare Materials
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of Goal Setting Worksheet for each student.
- Display SMART Goals Poster visibly in the classroom.
- Gather Poster Paper and Colored Markers for small-group work.
- Review SMART criteria so you can guide discussions.
- Print enough copies of Goal Getters Warm-Up for each student.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Reflect on Goals
5 minutes
- Distribute Goal Getters Warm-Up.
- Ask students to individually reflect and complete the warm-up questions.
- Briefly discuss a few student responses to set the stage for goal setting.
Step 2
Introduction
5 minutes
- Welcome students and explain: setting clear goals helps boost achievement.
- Reveal SMART Goals Poster and define each element (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- Ask students to suggest examples for one or two criteria.
Step 3
Group Brainstorm
8 minutes
- Divide students into groups of 3–4 and give each group Poster Paper and Markers.
- Instruct groups to brainstorm at least three academic or personal goals using SMART criteria.
- Circulate and prompt groups to refine goals: e.g., change “get better grades” to “raise my math grade from C to B+ by end of term.”
Step 4
Individual Goal Development
7 minutes
- Distribute Goal Setting Worksheet.
- Students select one group goal and adapt it for personal use, filling in all SMART sections on the worksheet.
- Encourage clear action steps and deadlines.
Step 5
Share and Reflect
7 minutes
- Invite volunteers to share their SMART goals with the class.
- Facilitate a brief discussion on potential challenges and strategies to overcome them.
- Encourage peer feedback: “How could this goal be more specific or measurable?”
Step 6
Wrap-Up
3 minutes
- Summarize the importance of reviewing and revising goals regularly.
- Remind students to keep their worksheets somewhere visible (locker, notebook) and revisit weekly.
- Collect worksheets for formative feedback or have students retain them for personal tracking.
Slide Deck
Goal Getters
35-Minute Goal-Setting Session for 9th Grade
Tier 1 Classroom Practice
Develop clear, actionable academic & personal goals using SMART criteria.
Welcome everyone! Today we’re launching into our Goal Getters session. Let students know we’ll learn how to set clear goals and work together to create SMART goals they can actually achieve.
Warm-Up: Your Past Goals
Think about a goal you set for yourself.
- What was it?
- Did you achieve it? Why or why not?
(5 minutes)
Distribute the warm-up sheet and give students 5 minutes to complete it individually. Briefly discuss a few responses to get them thinking about goals.
Why Goal Setting Matters
• Boosts motivation and self-efficacy
• Creates ownership of learning
• Turns vague wishes into concrete plans
• Empowers you to track progress
Emphasize why goal setting helps especially when grades or motivation feel low. Mention research that tying goals to clear steps boosts students’ confidence and performance.
The SMART Criteria
S = Specific
M = Measurable
A = Achievable
R = Relevant
T = Time-bound
(Refer to the SMART Goals Poster)
Introduce the SMART framework as our roadmap. Point to the poster and briefly define each letter before diving into details.
S = Specific
• Clearly defines what you want to accomplish
• Answers Who, What, Where
Example:
“I will raise my math grade from C to B+ by the end of the term.”
Discuss Specific: it answers Who, What, Where. Show a weak goal (“do better in math”) vs. a specific one. Ask for a student example.
M = Measurable
• Tracks progress with quantifiable indicators
• Answers How much or How many?
Example:
“Complete at least 3 extra math practice problems every week.”
Show how to measure progress. Highlight how numbers, frequencies, or criteria let you know when you’ve succeeded.
A = Achievable
• Realistic given time and resources
• Challenges you but remains within reach
Example:
“I will attend my teacher’s weekly office hour for extra help.”
Talk about Achievable—set challenging yet realistic targets. Encourage students to think about resources and effort needed.
R = Relevant
• Aligns with your academic or personal priorities
• Answers Why this goal matters
Example:
“Increasing my GPA will help me qualify for the honor roll.”
Explain Relevant: the goal should connect to broader ambitions—grades, college plans, personal interests.
T = Time-bound
• Sets a clear deadline or timeline
• Answers When?
Example:
“I will achieve this by the end of this term (12 weeks).”
Stress the importance of deadlines. Show the difference between an open-ended goal and one with a clear target date.
Group Brainstorm
- Form groups of 3–4
- Grab poster paper & markers
- Brainstorm ≥3 academic or personal SMART goals
- Refine goals as a group
(8 minutes)
Explain the group activity: brainstorm at least 3 SMART goals. Remind students to use poster paper and markers. Circulate to guide teams.
Individual Goal Development
- Take your favorite group goal
- Fill out the SMART sections on your worksheet
- Add clear action steps & a timeline
(7 minutes)
Hand out the Goal Setting Worksheet. Students adapt one group goal into a personal SMART goal. Encourage detailed action steps and deadlines.
Share & Reflect
• Volunteers share their SMART goal
• Class gives feedback: More specific? More measurable?
• Discuss possible challenges & solutions
(7 minutes)
Invite volunteers to read their goals. Ask peers to give constructive feedback: is it specific? measurable? etc. Highlight good examples.
Wrap-Up
• Review and revise goals regularly
• Store your worksheet somewhere visible (locker, notebook)
• Revisit progress weekly
Great job setting SMART goals!
Wrap up by reminding students to review and revise their goals weekly. Collect worksheets or have students keep them in a visible spot.
Worksheet
Goal Setting Worksheet
Use this template to develop one personal SMART goal. Refer to the SMART Goals Poster for guidance.
- My Goal Statement (in one clear sentence):
- Specific
- Who is involved? What exactly do you want to accomplish? Where will this take place?
- Who is involved? What exactly do you want to accomplish? Where will this take place?
- Measurable
- How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? (e.g., numbers, frequency, milestones)
- How will you know when you’ve achieved your goal? (e.g., numbers, frequency, milestones)
- Achievable
- Why is this goal realistic for you? What skills, resources, or strengths will help you succeed?
- Why is this goal realistic for you? What skills, resources, or strengths will help you succeed?
- Relevant
- Why does this goal matter to you? How does it fit with your academic or personal priorities?
- Why does this goal matter to you? How does it fit with your academic or personal priorities?
- Time-bound
- What is your deadline? Include a specific date or timeframe.
- What is your deadline? Include a specific date or timeframe.
- Action Steps
List at least three steps you will take to reach your goal. Be as detailed as possible.Step 1: ______________________________________________ By: _______________
Step 2: ______________________________________________ By: _______________
Step 3: ______________________________________________ By: _______________ - Potential Barriers & Solutions
Identify challenges you might face and how you will overcome them.Barrier 1: __________________________ Strategy: __________________________
Barrier 2: __________________________ Strategy: __________________________ - Resources & Support
What people, tools, or materials will help you succeed? (e.g., teacher, tutor, study guides)
Keep this worksheet somewhere you can see it every day (locker, notebook, bedroom). Revisit and revise your goal weekly to stay on track!