Lesson Plan
Quest Itinerary
Students will set personal SMART goals, collaborate to map team milestones, and create actionable plans in their Quest Workbooks, culminating in a Victory Gallery to celebrate progress and practice self-management.
Developing self-management through goal-setting and peer accountability builds organizational skills, self-discipline, and a growth mindset essential for academic success and lifelong achievement.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive team missions and individual planning foster goal-tracking and celebration.
Materials
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Review Mission Briefing Slides to familiarize yourself with SMART goals definitions and agenda.
- Print or load digitally copies of Team Goal Map for each team.
- Ensure each student has a Quest Workbook (digital or paper).
- Set up a display area or virtual board for the Victory Gallery.
Step 1
Quest Kickoff
5 minutes
- Display Slide 1 of Mission Briefing Slides to introduce the Goal Quest theme.
- Explain the focus on CASEL Self-Management and importance of personal goals.
- Review session objectives: set, track, and celebrate goals.
Step 2
Mission Briefing
10 minutes
- Use Slides 2–4 in Mission Briefing Slides to teach the SMART goal framework.
- Model writing one SMART goal with the class.
- Ask students to draft one personal SMART goal in their Quest Workbook.
- Circulate to support clarity and provide feedback.
Step 3
Team Goal Mapping
15 minutes
- Form teams of 3–4 students.
- Distribute a Team Goal Map to each group.
- Students share their individual SMART goals and identify common themes.
- As a team, choose one shared goal theme and plot milestone steps on the map.
- Discuss roles, responsibilities, and check-in schedule.
Step 4
Independent Quest Planning
15 minutes
- Students return to their Quest Workbook.
- Individually outline detailed action steps, deadlines, and progress-tracking logs.
- Add peer accountability check-in dates with teammates.
- Teacher circulates to guide, answer questions, and ensure realistic planning.
Step 5
Victory Gallery Cool-Down
15 minutes
- Set up the Victory Gallery display space or virtual wall.
- Students create a visual summary of their goal, key milestones, and planned celebration.
- Conduct a gallery walk: peers leave positive sticky notes or comments.
- Debrief: discuss how visual celebration and peer support boost motivation.
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Slide Deck
Goal Quest: Mission Briefing
Welcome to your mission!
• Discover how setting clear goals boosts your success.
• Learn the SMART framework for self-management.
• Prepare to plan, track, and celebrate your progress.
Welcome everyone to our Goal Quest adventure! Introduce the mission theme and set an enthusiastic tone. Explain that today we’ll learn how to manage ourselves by setting and tracking personal goals. Remind students we’re focusing on CASEL’s Self-Management competency.
What Is Self-Management?
Self-Management means:
• Organizing your tasks and time effectively
Define Self-Management in student-friendly terms. Emphasize skills like organization, self-discipline, and staying motivated. Connect these skills to everyday academic tasks.
Introducing SMART Goals
SMART goals help you set clear targets:
• Specific
• Measurable
• Achievable
• Relevant
• Time-Bound
Introduce SMART goals at a high level. Briefly explain each component without deep detail—details will follow on the next slide.
Breaking Down SMART Goals
Specific: What exactly will you do?
Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded?
Achievable: Is it realistic given your resources?
Relevant: Why does it matter to you now?
Time-Bound: When will you complete it?
Walk through each letter of SMART one by one. Use the example provided to illustrate how each component fits. Invite a volunteer to help identify elements in the example goal.
Example SMART Goal
"By the end of the semester, I will raise my math grade from a C to a B by completing all homework assignments on time and attending a one-hour tutoring session every week."
Display a fully formed SMART goal example. Explain how it meets each criterion. Ask students: “What makes this goal specific? How can we measure success?”
Let’s Write a SMART Goal Together
S: What do you want to achieve?
M: How will you measure progress?
A: Is this doable? What resources help?
R: Why is this goal important?
T: What’s your deadline?
Guide students step-by-step through writing a SMART goal. Model answering each prompt. Fill in the template on the board or screen with student input.
Your Turn: Draft Your SMART Goal
- Open your Quest Workbook to "My SMART Goal" page.
- Write one personal goal using the SMART prompts.
- Check each criterion: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-Bound.
Prompt students to open their Quest Workbooks. Encourage them to draft one personal SMART goal now. Circulate the room to support clarity, ensuring each goal meets all five SMART criteria.
Up Next: Team Goal Mapping
• Form teams of 3–4 students.
• Share your personal SMART goals.
• Identify a shared theme.
• Map out team milestones on the Team Goal Map.
Transition students to the next phase: team goal mapping. Remind them they’ll soon share their personal goals with teammates to find common themes and plan together.
Activity
Team Goal Mapping Worksheet
Instructions: In groups of 3–4, share your personal SMART goals, record them below, identify a shared theme, plot key milestones with dates and responsibilities, and plan peer check-in times.
1. Team Members’ SMART Goals
| Team Member | SMART Goal |
|---|---|
| 1.__________ | __________ |
| 2.__________ | __________ |
| 3.__________ | __________ |
| 4.__________ | __________ |
2. Identify Your Common Theme
What overall goal connects your individual SMART goals?
3. Milestone Timeline
Plan three key steps your team will take to reach the shared goal.
| Date | Milestone | Who’s Responsible |
|---|---|---|
4. Roles & Check-In Schedule
- Who will lead each milestone?
- How and when will your team check progress?
Check-in 1: ____________________ Date: ____________
Check-in 2: ____________________ Date: ____________
Check-in 3: ____________________ Date: ____________
Project Guide
Quest Workbook
Welcome to your personal Goal Quest planner! Use this workbook to craft, track, and reflect on your SMART goal journey.
Section 1: My SMART Goal
Use the prompts below to write a goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.
S – Specific: What exactly will you do?
M – Measurable: How will you know you’ve succeeded?
A – Achievable: Is this realistic? What resources will help?
R – Relevant: Why is this goal important right now?
T – Time-Bound: When will you complete this goal?
My SMART Goal (All together):
"______________________________________________________________________________"
Section 2: Action Plan
Break your goal into clear steps. Assign deadlines and note any resources or support you’ll need.
| Step | Deadline | Resources Needed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | |||
| 2. | |||
| 3. | |||
| 4. |
Section 3: Progress Tracking Log
Record your check-ins, successes, and any adjustments you make along the way.
| Date | Action Taken | Progress Status (✓/✗/½) | Next Steps |
|---|---|---|---|
Section 4: Reflection Prompts
After your goal deadline or at each major check-in, answer these questions to deepen your learning.
- What challenges or obstacles did I encounter?
- How did I overcome these challenges? What strategies helped?
- What am I most proud of in this process?
- How will I celebrate my success and maintenance of this habit?
- What is my next goal or area for growth?
Good luck on your Quest! Remember to revisit this workbook regularly and share your progress in the Victory Gallery.
Cool Down
Victory Gallery
Purpose: Celebrate progress, foster peer encouragement, and reflect on your goal journey.
Setup (5 minutes)
- Arrange student posters, digital slides, or visual summaries around the room or on a virtual board.
- Each summary should include:
- Your SMART goal statement
- Three key milestones
- Planned celebration or reward
Gallery Walk (7 minutes)
- Rotate: Spend 1–2 minutes at each display.
- Respond: Leave a positive note using the prompts below:
• “I admire how you…”
• “Your milestone plan is clear because…”
• “I’m excited for you when you…” - Sticky Notes/Comments: Add at least one sticky note or digital comment per display.
Reflection & Debrief (3 minutes)
- Pair-Share: Find a partner and discuss:
- Which piece of feedback meant the most to you and why?
- How does seeing others’ goals inspire or challenge you?
Final Reflection (Invite volunteers to share)
- What one strategy will you use to stay on track this week?
Congrats, Questers!
You’ve visualized your success, supported your peers, and set the stage for ongoing motivation. Keep these positive notes and revisit them throughout your journey!