Lesson Plan
Goal Power-Up Lesson Plan
Guide a 4th grader to identify her strengths and challenges, set one academic and one personal SMART goal, and create practical steps to manage test anxiety and improve friendships.
Clear goal-setting empowers the student with confidence, reduces testing stress, and provides social strategies to build stronger peer connections.
Audience
4th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Reflective discussion, worksheet activities, and strategy planning.
Materials
- Goal-Setting Worksheet, - Reflection Prompt Cards, - Confidence Thermometer Visual, - Anxiety Management Checklist, - Timer, and - Pencils or Colored Pencils
Prep
Preparation
10 minutes
- Print and review the Goal-Setting Worksheet and Anxiety Management Checklist.
- Cut out and shuffle the Reflection Prompt Cards.
- Familiarize yourself with the Confidence Thermometer Visual and decide how to present it.
- Gather pencils or colored pencils and set a timer for each activity segment.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Rapport Building
5 minutes
- Greet the student and ask a friendly check-in question (e.g., “What’s something fun you did this week?”).
- Introduce the session purpose: setting goals to feel more confident in class and with friends.
- Show the Confidence Thermometer Visual and ask her to mark how she feels about school subjects and friendships.
Step 2
Identify Strengths & Challenges
7 minutes
- Use the first section of the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
- Read aloud each reflection prompt from the Reflection Prompt Cards (e.g., “Name one thing you’re proud of in school.”).
- Student colors or writes responses; teacher offers positive reinforcement and clarifies questions.
- Note any anxiety triggers or friendship concerns she mentions.
Step 3
Set SMART Goals
8 minutes
- Explain SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) in simple terms.
- Help her choose one academic goal (e.g., improve test scores in math) and one personal goal (e.g., make one new friend).
- Complete the SMART fields on the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
- Provide sentence starters and model one example.
Step 4
Plan Anxiety & Friendship Strategies
6 minutes
- Introduce the Anxiety Management Checklist.
- Discuss two quick coping strategies (e.g., deep breaths, positive self-talk) and have her check ones she’ll try.
- Brainstorm two small actions to improve friendships (e.g., invite a classmate to play, share a compliment).
- Record these steps on the worksheet under “My Next Steps.”
Step 5
Reflection & Next Steps
4 minutes
- Review both goals and strategies on the worksheet.
- Set dates or checkpoints (e.g., ask teacher next Friday about progress).
- Encourage her to keep the worksheet in her binder and review weekly.
- Close with praise and remind her she can revisit strategies anytime.
- Offer to meet again if she needs extra support.
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Slide Deck
Goal Power-Up
Setting academic and personal goals to boost confidence, manage testing anxiety, and improve friendships.
Welcome the student warmly. Ask about her week to build rapport. Introduce today’s session: “We’re going to power up your goals to help you feel more confident in school and with friends.”
Today’s Plan
• Check your feelings
• Identify strengths & challenges
• Learn SMART goals
• Plan strategies for anxiety & friendship
• Reflect & set checkpoints
Briefly explain each part so she knows what to expect.
Confidence Thermometer
Use the Confidence Thermometer Visual to show how confident you feel in school subjects and with friends. Color or mark the level that matches your feelings.
Show the Confidence Thermometer Visual. Ask her to color or mark how she feels about different school subjects and friendships, then share why she picked those levels.
Think About Yourself
Take a moment to answer these questions:
• What’s one thing you’re proud of in school?
• What makes you nervous about tests?
• What do you enjoy doing with friends?
Shuffle and use the Reflection Prompt Cards. Read each prompt aloud, let her respond in writing or by talking, and note any key strengths or worries.
What Makes a Goal SMART?
Specific: Clearly say what you want to do.
Measurable: How will you know you’ve done it?
Achievable: It’s something you can really do.
Relevant: It matters to you.
Time-bound: You set a deadline.
Explain each SMART criterion in simple terms, using examples. For instance, “Specific means saying exactly what you want to do, like ‘finish my math worksheet’.”
My SMART Goals
Academic Goal:
Specific: ______
Measurable: ______
Achievable: ______
Relevant: ______
Time-bound: ______
Personal Goal:
Specific: ______
Measurable: ______
Achievable: ______
Relevant: ______
Time-bound: ______
Open the Goal-Setting Worksheet. Guide her to fill in one academic goal and one personal goal using the SMART fields. Offer sentence starters if she gets stuck.
Strategies for Anxiety & Friendship
Anxiety Coping (check the ones you’ll try):
• Deep breathing
• Positive self-talk
• Quick stretch
Friendship Steps:
• Invite a classmate to play
• Share a compliment
• Ask someone about their day
Introduce the Anxiety Management Checklist. Review two quick coping strategies. Then brainstorm two simple friendship actions and have her write them down.
Wrap-Up & Next Steps
- Review your SMART goals and strategies.
- Write down a date to check your progress.
- Keep your worksheet where you can see it.
- Remember: you can revisit these strategies anytime!
Review her goals and chosen strategies. Agree on a follow-up date (e.g., next Friday). Encourage her to keep the worksheet visible and review it weekly. Praise her effort and end on a positive note.
Worksheet
Goal-Setting Worksheet
Use this worksheet during your Goal Power-Up session to think about your strengths, challenges, and the goals you want to achieve.
1. My Strengths & Challenges
- Something I’m proud of in school:
- One thing I’m really good at:
- One challenge I face right now:
2. My Concerns
- What makes me nervous about tests?
- What makes it hard for me to make new friends?
3. My SMART Goals
Academic Goal
- Specific:
- Measurable:
- Achievable:
- Relevant:
- Time-bound:
Personal Goal (Friendship or Confidence)
- Specific:
- Measurable:
- Achievable:
- Relevant:
- Time-bound:
4. My Strategies
Anxiety Management (check the ones you’ll try)
See the Anxiety Management Checklist for more ideas.
- Deep breathing
- Positive self-talk
- Quick stretch
Friendship Steps
- Action 1:
- Action 2:
5. My Next Check-In
When will I check my progress on these goals?
Keep this worksheet in your binder and review it each week to see how you’re doing. Good luck!
Activity
Reflection Prompt Cards
Print these cards and cut along the lines. Shuffle and draw one card at a time to guide your reflection and discussion.
What’s one thing you’re proud of in school?
What’s something you find easy or fun to do?
What’s one challenge you face right now?
What makes you feel nervous about tests?
What helps you feel calm when you’re worried?
What do you enjoy doing with your friends?
What makes it hard to make new friends?
Who can you talk to when you need help or support?
What’s one kind thing you can say to yourself?
What is a small success you had recently?
Game
Confidence Thermometer Visual
Use this thermometer-style chart to show how confident you feel in each area. For each row, color or mark one box that best matches your confidence level—from 1 (very unconfident) up to 5 (very confident).
| Area | 1 Very Unconfident | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 Very Confident |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Math | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Reading | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Science | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| Friendships | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Tips:
- Think about how you feel when you’re working on each subject or playing with friends.
- There’s no right or wrong answer—this helps us see where you feel strong and where you might need extra support.
Worksheet
Anxiety Management Checklist
When you feel worried or anxious, check the strategies you’ll try to help yourself feel calmer:
- Deep breathing (breathe in slowly for 4 seconds, then out for 4 seconds)
- Count slowly to five or ten in your head
- Stretch your arms, legs, or shoulders
- Squeeze and release your hands (make a tight fist, then relax)
- Positive self-talk (say “I can do this!” or “I’m doing my best”)
- Take a short break and walk around
- Draw or doodle how you’re feeling
- Think of a calm, happy place (like the beach or your favorite park)
- Ask a trusted adult or friend for help or a hug
- Hum or listen to a favorite tune quietly
My Plan
- First strategy I’ll try: ________________________________________________
- Second strategy I’ll try: ________________________________________________
Keep this checklist in your binder and use it whenever you start to feel nervous. You’ve got this!