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Goal Guardians

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edalessandro

Tier 2
For Schools

Lesson Plan

SMART Goal Guardians Guide

Students will define SMART goals, identify personal academic/social-emotional goals, and recognize support systems ('Goal Guardians') to aid in achieving these goals.

Setting clear, achievable goals helps students stay motivated and focused. Identifying 'Goal Guardians' provides a crucial support network, fostering resilience and a sense of community. This lesson empowers students to take ownership of their learning and well-being.

Audience

6th Grade Group

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided practice, and creative activity.

Materials

Smart Goal Guardians Guide (lesson-plan), Meet Your Goal Guardians Slide Deck, My Goal Guardian Shield Activity, Guardian Reflections Journal, Goal Setting Rubric, Markers/Colored Pencils, and Construction Paper or Cardstock

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review all generated materials, especially the Meet Your Goal Guardians Slide Deck and My Goal Guardian Shield Activity.
    - Print copies of the My Goal Guardian Shield Activity and Guardian Reflections Journal for each student.
    - Gather markers, colored pencils, and construction paper/cardstock.
    - Ensure projector/screen is ready for the slide deck.

Step 1

Introduction: What's Your Superpower?

10 minutes

  • Begin with a Warm Up activity (if available).
    - Introduce the concept of goal setting using the Meet Your Goal Guardians Slide Deck (Slide 1-2).
    - Ask students: "What's something you want to achieve this school year?" (Brief share-out).
    - Explain that today, they will become 'Goal Guardians' – powerful goal setters with amazing support systems.

Step 2

Unpacking SMART Goals

15 minutes

  • Use the Meet Your Goal Guardians Slide Deck (Slide 3-6) to explain each component of a SMART goal (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
    - Provide examples and non-examples of SMART goals, encouraging student participation.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: "Why is it important for our goals to be SMART?"

Step 3

Identifying Your Goal Guardians

15 minutes

  • Transition to the idea of 'Goal Guardians' – people who support them (teachers, family, friends, mentors).
    - Use the Meet Your Goal Guardians Slide Deck (Slide 7-8) to discuss different types of guardians and their roles.
    - Ask students to brainstorm 2-3 potential Goal Guardians in their lives.

Step 4

My Goal Guardian Shield Activity

15 minutes

  • Distribute the My Goal Guardian Shield Activity handout along with construction paper/cardstock and art supplies.
    - Explain the activity: Students will design a shield, write their SMART goal on it, and illustrate or list their Goal Guardians and how they will help.
    - Circulate to provide support and answer questions. Remind them to refer to the Goal Setting Rubric for criteria.

Step 5

Guardian Reflections & Wrap-up

5 minutes

  • Collect the shields for display (optional).
    - Distribute the Guardian Reflections Journal for homework or in-class reflection if time permits.
    - Conduct a brief Cool Down activity (if available).
    - Emphasize the importance of revisiting their goals and communicating with their guardians. Remind students their work will be assessed using the Goal Setting Rubric.
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Slide Deck

Welcome, Goal Guardians!

Ready to unlock your potential?

Welcome students and set an energetic tone. Explain that today they'll become 'Goal Guardians.'

What's Your Quest?

What's something awesome you want to achieve this school year?

(Think about school, friends, or even things you do outside of class!)

Open with a question to engage students and tap into their aspirations. Encourage a few students to share aloud.

SMART Goals: Your Super Map!

Our quests need clear directions. That's where SMART goals come in!

Each letter helps us make our goals strong and achievable.

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that SMART goals are like a map for their quest.

S: Specific - Be Crystal Clear!

Specific means your goal is clear and well-defined.

Instead of: "I want to be good at math."
Try: "I will improve my multiplication facts by practicing 15 minutes a day."

Explain 'Specific.' Provide an example and ask for student examples. Emphasize clarity.

M: Measurable - How Will You Know?

Measurable means you can track your progress and know when you've reached your goal.

How will you know if you're practicing 15 minutes a day? You can set a timer or mark it on a calendar!

Explain 'Measurable.' Discuss how they will know if they've achieved their goal. Provide an example.

A: Achievable - Can You Do It?

Achievable means your goal is something you can actually accomplish.

Is practicing 15 minutes a day doable with your schedule? Yes! It's challenging but possible.

Explain 'Achievable.' Encourage realistic but challenging goals. Discuss steps they can take.

R: Relevant - Why Does It Matter?

Relevant means your goal is important and meaningful to you.

Why is improving multiplication facts important? It helps with all sorts of math and makes school easier!

Explain 'Relevant.' Connect goals to their personal values or academic success. Why is this goal important to them?

T: Time-Bound - Set a Deadline!

Time-bound means your goal has a start and end date.

When will you achieve this? "By the end of October, I will have mastered my multiplication facts."

Explain 'Time-bound.' Stress the importance of a deadline. Provide an example.

Who Are Your Goal Guardians?

Even superheroes have sidekicks! You don't have to reach your goals alone.

Goal Guardians are the people who will support you on your quest!

Introduce the concept of 'Goal Guardians' as their support system. Emphasize that no one achieves great things alone.

Your Personal Support Squad

Who could be a Goal Guardian?
- Teachers
- Family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
- Friends
- Coaches or Mentors
- School Counselors

Think about who can cheer you on, offer advice, or help you when you're stuck.

Brainstorm different types of guardians. Encourage students to think broadly about their support network.

Design Your Guardian Shield!

Now it's your turn to create your own Goal Guardian Shield!

This shield will show:

  • Your SMART goal
  • Your amazing Goal Guardians and how they'll help you

Explain the upcoming activity, linking it to the shield concept.

Keep Guarding Your Goals!

Remember:

  • SMART goals give you a clear path.
  • Goal Guardians give you strength and support.

You are ready for an amazing school year!

Review the key takeaways and reinforce the idea of continuous goal setting and seeking support.

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Activity

My Goal Guardian Shield Activity

Your Mission: To design a personal shield that represents your SMART goal and the amazing Goal Guardians who will help you achieve it!

Instructions:

  1. Get Your Supplies: You will need construction paper or cardstock for your shield, and markers or colored pencils.

  2. Design Your Shield: On your paper, draw a large shield. Be creative! You can make it any shape or style you like.

  3. My SMART Goal: In the center of your shield, clearly write ONE SMART goal you want to achieve this school year. Remember to make it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

    Example: "By December, I will raise my science test scores by 10% by studying my notes for 20 minutes every evening."

    My SMART Goal:










  4. My Goal Guardians: Around your SMART goal, identify at least two (2) people who will be your "Goal Guardians." These are people who will support you, encourage you, and help you stay on track. For each guardian, either draw a small picture of them or write their name. Then, briefly explain how they will help you achieve your goal.

    Example: "My mom will help me find a quiet study space." or "My teacher will explain difficult concepts."

    Guardian 1:



    How they will help me:



    Guardian 2:



    How they will help me:



    (Add more guardians if you have them!)

  5. Decorate and Personalize: Make your shield unique! Use colors, symbols, or drawings that represent your goal and your guardians.

Remember to make your SMART Goal clear and your Guardians' support specific!

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Journal

Guardian Reflections: Checking In With Your Quest

Welcome, Goal Guardian! Taking time to think about your goals and how you're working towards them is a powerful habit. Use this journal to reflect on your journey.

Journal Prompts:

  1. My SMART Goal Check-in: Look at the SMART goal you wrote on your My Goal Guardian Shield Activity. Read it aloud to yourself. How do you feel about your goal right now? Is it still Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound? What progress have you made since you created your shield?












  2. My Guardians in Action: Think about your Goal Guardians. Have you talked to them about your goal recently? How have they supported you, or how could they support you more? Describe a time when a guardian helped you or when you reached out for help.












  3. Challenges and Solutions: What challenges have you faced (or do you anticipate facing) while working on your goal? How can your Goal Guardians, or even you, help overcome these challenges?












  4. Next Steps: What is one specific action you will take in the next week to move closer to your SMART goal? How will you involve one of your Goal Guardians in this step?







  5. Looking Ahead: How do you think achieving this goal will impact your school year or your life? What new skills or feelings will you gain?












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Rubric

Goal Setting Rubric: My Goal Guardian Shield

This rubric will be used to assess your My Goal Guardian Shield Activity and your understanding of SMART goals and support systems.

Criteria4 - Exceeds Expectations3 - Meets Expectations2 - Developing1 - Needs Support
SMART Goal ClarityThe SMART goal is exceptionally clear, precise, and demonstrates a deep understanding of all 5 SMART components. It is highly motivating and personal.The SMART goal is clear, includes all 5 SMART components, and is generally well-defined.The SMART goal is somewhat clear but misses one or two SMART components or needs more detail.The goal is unclear and/or lacks multiple SMART components.
Goal Guardians Identified & ExplainedIdentifies 3+ thoughtful and specific Goal Guardians, with excellent explanations of how each will provide support. Demonstrates proactive thinking about support.Identifies 2 specific Goal Guardians with clear explanations of how each will provide support.Identifies 1-2 Goal Guardians, but the explanations of support are vague or missing.Identifies no or irrelevant Goal Guardians, or no explanation of support is provided.
Shield Design & EffortThe shield is creatively designed, visually appealing, and clearly reflects the goal and guardians. Shows outstanding effort and personalization.The shield is well-designed and clearly represents the goal and guardians. Shows good effort.The shield design is basic, and/or the connection to the goal/guardians is unclear. Shows some effort.The shield is minimal or incomplete, with little to no connection to the goal/guardians or effort.
Reflection (if assigned)Demonstrates deep, insightful reflection on the goal-setting process, potential challenges, and actionable next steps. Connects learning to personal growth.Shows thoughtful reflection on the goal, some challenges, and next steps. Generally connects to personal growth.Provides basic reflection on the goal, but lacks depth or specific challenges/next steps. Limited connection to personal growth.Minimal or no reflection provided.

Total Score: ______ / 16

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