Peer Goal Reflection Worksheet

Part 1: Peer Influence Reflection

1. Describe a recent example where a friend influenced one of your goals.

1. Was this influence positive or negative? Explain why.

1. How did this influence affect your motivation or actions?

Part 2: SMART Goal Setting

Use the SMART Goals Quick Reference to guide you.

1. Draft one SMART goal that leverages positive support from your friends:

1. Specific: How is your goal clearly defined and focused?

1. Measurable: What measures will you use to track your progress?

1. Achievable: Why is this goal realistic for you to reach?

1. Relevant: How does this goal connect to your personal interests or values?

1. Time-Bound: What is your deadline for achieving this goal?

When you finish, be prepared to discuss how your friends will help you stay on track with this goal.

SMART Goals Quick Reference

A SMART goal is a clear, actionable plan that helps you stay focused and motivated. SMART stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Specific

Be clear and precise about what you want to accomplish.

• Define exactly what you intend to achieve.
• Example: “Improve my math grade” becomes “Increase my algebra grade from a C to a B.”

Measurable

Identify concrete criteria to track your progress.

• Describe how much or how many.
• Example: “Score at least 85% on three weekly algebra quizzes.”

Achievable

Ensure your goal is realistic given your resources and time.

• Consider your skills, support, and schedule.
• Example: “I will study algebra with a peer tutor for 30 minutes, three times a week.”

Relevant

Connect the goal to your broader interests and values.

• Ask: Does this goal matter to me right now?
• Example: “Improving my algebra grade will boost my confidence and help me prepare for advanced math courses.”

Time-Bound

Set a clear deadline to create urgency and focus.

• Specify when you will achieve the goal.
• Example: “By the end of this semester (in 8 weeks).”

Putting it all together:
“By the end of this semester, I will increase my algebra grade from a C to a B by studying with a peer tutor for 30 minutes, three times a week, and scoring at least 85% on three weekly quizzes.”

Use this quick reference to draft and refine your own SMART goals. Good luck!

Peer Relationship Builders

A collection of four engaging activities designed for 9th-grade students to strengthen communication, empathy, trust, and collaboration in peer groups. Total time: ~50 minutes (adjustable).

Materials Needed

• Index cards or sticky notes
• Pens or pencils
• Pre-written scenario cards (see “Empathy Role-Play”)
• Blindfolds or scarves
• Building materials (e.g., LEGO®, blocks, Jenga®) or a simple puzzle
• Timer or stopwatch

1. Icebreaker – Two Truths and a Wish (10 minutes)

Purpose: Build rapport and discover common interests.

1. Have each student write on an index card:
   • Two true statements about themselves
   • One wish or goal they have
2. Students take turns sharing their three statements. Peers guess which one is the wish.
3. Debrief: Ask, “What surprised you?” and “Did you find any shared interests?”

2. Empathy Role-Play (15 minutes)

Purpose: Practice perspective-taking and active listening.

1. Prepare 4–6 scenario cards (e.g., “A friend is upset after failing a test,” “Someone feels left out on a group project,” “A teammate is frustrated with their performance”).
2. In pairs, students draw a card and decide who will play the “speaker” and who will play the “listener.”
3. The speaker explains the scenario from their character’s point of view. The listener practices:
   • Making eye contact
   • Asking clarifying questions (“How did that feel?”)
   • Restating what they heard (“It sounds like you felt…”)
4. Switch roles and repeat with a new card.
5. Group share: “What did you notice about how listening changed the conversation?”

3. Trust Walk (10 minutes)

Purpose: Foster trust and clear communication.

1. Pair up students. One student is blindfolded, the other is the guide.
2. The guide leads the blindfolded partner through a short obstacle course (chairs, desks, taped lines) using only verbal instructions.
3. After completing the course, partners switch roles.
4. Reflection prompts (as a whole group):
   • “What communication strategies worked best?”
   • “How did it feel to rely completely on your partner?”

4. Collaborative Construction Challenge (15 minutes)

Purpose: Encourage teamwork, planning, and creative problem-solving.

1. Divide into small teams of 3–4 students. Provide each team identical building materials or a puzzle.
2. Challenge: Build the tallest freestanding structure in 10 minutes (or complete the puzzle fastest).
3. Rules:
   • Everyone must contribute at least one idea.
   • Teams decide on roles (designer, builder, quality-checker, time-keeper).
4. After time is up, each team presents:
   • Their final product
   • One teamwork strategy that helped them succeed or a challenge they overcame

5. Reflection Circle (5 minutes)

Purpose: Solidify learning and set goals for future interactions.

1. Sit in a circle. Prompt students to share one takeaway from today’s activities.
2. Journal or quick-write (2 minutes):
   • “What’s one skill I’ll practice this week to be a better friend?”
     
     
     
     
     
     
3. Invite volunteers to read their goal aloud and identify one action step.

Tip for Teachers: Encourage students to display their action steps in the classroom or on a shared online board to promote accountability and ongoing support.