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Goal Setting

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Lesson Plan

Goal Setting Lesson Plan

Students will identify and define a personal goal using the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Defining personal goals provides students with a clear sense of direction and purpose, enhancing motivation and guiding decision-making in their academic and personal lives. This foundational skill empowers them to take ownership of their future.

Audience

9th Grade Individual Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion and guided worksheet completion.

Materials

Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck, Goal Setting Worksheet, and Goal Reflection Journal

Prep

Preparation Steps

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction: What are Your Goals?

5 minutes

  • Greet the student and establish rapport.
    - Explain the concept of goal setting: defining aspirations that help them navigate their journey.
    - Briefly introduce the idea that this session is about defining their goals, something deeply meaningful to them. (Refer to Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Step 2

Understanding SMART Goals

10 minutes

  • Introduce the SMART criteria using the Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck (Slides 2-7).
    - Explain each component (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with examples relevant to a 9th grader.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion to check for understanding and answer any questions the student has.

Step 3

Brainstorming Your Goals

7 minutes

  • Distribute the Goal Setting Worksheet.
    - Guide the student through the brainstorming section, encouraging them to think about their passions, interests, future aspirations, and what truly matters to them.
    - Provide gentle prompts if needed, such as "What do you dream about doing?" or "What change do you want to see in yourself or the world?"

Step 4

Drafting Your SMART Goal

5 minutes

  • Instruct the student to use their brainstorming ideas and the SMART criteria to draft their goal on the Goal Setting Worksheet.
    - Offer individualized support, helping them refine their goal to meet each SMART characteristic.
    - Emphasize that it's okay if it's not perfect; the goal is to get a solid draft.

Step 5

Reflection and Next Steps

3 minutes

  • Ask the student to share their drafted goal and offer positive feedback.
    - Provide the Goal Reflection Journal prompt for them to complete after the session.
    - Briefly discuss how this goal can guide their daily actions and future planning.
    - Conclude by reinforcing their ability to achieve their goals and offering continued support.
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Slide Deck

What Are Your Goals?

Where are you headed?

  • Goals are big, guiding ambitions.
  • They help you navigate your journey.
  • They give you a clear direction.

Greet the student warmly. Introduce the idea of goal setting as defining aspirations, not necessarily small, immediate tasks. Emphasize that this is about their personal direction.

Making Goals SMART

How do we make our dreams happen?

  • We use the SMART framework!
  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Transition into how we make big goals actionable. Introduce the SMART acronym as a tool.

S is for SPECIFIC

Clear and Detailed

  • What exactly do you want to achieve?
  • Who is involved?
  • Where will it take place?
  • Why is this goal important to you?

Instead of: "I want to do better in school."

Try: "I want to increase my science grade to an A by completing all homework and studying for 30 minutes each night."

Explain 'Specific'. Give an example that resonates with a 9th grader, like 'I want to improve my math grade' is not specific enough. 'I want to raise my algebra test score by 10 points' is better.

M is for MEASURABLE

How will you track progress?

  • How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

Example: "I will read two books outside of school per month."

  • You can count the books!

Explain 'Measurable'. How will the student know if they've achieved their goal? Quantifiable metrics are key.

A is for ACHIEVABLE

Is it possible for you?

  • Is this goal realistic given your resources and time?
  • Do you have the skills, or can you learn them?
  • It should challenge you, but not be impossible.

Example: "I will learn to play a new song on the guitar each week."

  • If you already play guitar, this is achievable! If you've never touched a guitar, maybe not yet.

Explain 'Achievable'. It should be challenging but realistic. Discuss the difference between 'impossible' and 'hard work'.

R is for RELEVANT

Does it matter to you?

  • Does this goal align with your values and long-term aspirations?
  • Is it the right time for this goal?
  • Does it truly contribute to your bigger goals?

Example: "I want to spend 30 minutes less on social media daily to focus on my passion for drawing."

  • This is relevant if drawing is important to you and social media is a distraction.

Explain 'Relevant'. Connect it back to their 'Goal Setting' - why does this goal matter to them personally?

T is for TIME-BOUND

When will it be done?

  • When do you want to achieve this goal?
  • Having a deadline creates a sense of urgency and helps with planning.

Example: "I will complete my science fair project by the submission deadline on March 15th."

  • A clear end date makes it real!

Explain 'Time-bound'. Emphasize the importance of a deadline to create urgency and a target for completion.

Your SMART Goal

Now it's your turn!

  • Think about your passions, interests, and dreams.
  • What big goal will guide your journey?
  • Use the Goal Setting Worksheet to draft your own SMART Goal!

Summarize SMART and prepare them for applying it to their own goal setting. Encourage them to use the worksheet.

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Worksheet

Goal Setting Worksheet

Part 1: Brainstorm Your Goals

Your goals are big, overarching dreams or ambitions that guide your decisions and actions. They are something deeply meaningful to you, something you want to work towards over a longer period.

Think about the following questions to help you brainstorm:

  1. What are you passionate about? What topics or activities truly excite you?






  2. What kind of future do you envision for yourself? (e.g., career, personal growth, impact on others)






  3. What challenges do you want to overcome, either personally or academically?






  4. If there were no limits, what is one big thing you would love to achieve or become?






  5. What values are most important to you (e.g., creativity, helping others, learning, success)? How might these connect to a goal?






Part 2: Define Your SMART Goal

Now, let\ʼs take your brainstorming ideas and shape them into a SMART goal. Remember, your goal should be:

  • Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
  • Measurable: How will you know when you\ʼve achieved it?
  • Achieva_ble_: Is it realistic and possible for you?
  • Relevant: Does it align with your values and bigger dreams?
  • Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this?

My SMART Goal Draft:

Write your goal here, making sure it addresses all parts of SMART:













Check Your Goal:

Answer these questions to ensure your goal is SMART:

  1. Is it Specific? (What, Who, Where, Why)
    Yes / No

    • If no, how can you make it more detailed?



  2. Is it Measurable? (How much, How many, How will you know?)

    Yes / No

    • If no, what metric can you add?



  3. Is it Achievable? (Is it realistic for you?)

    Yes / No

    • If no, how can you adjust it to be challenging but realistic?



  4. Is it Relevant? (Does it matter to you and align with your values?)

    Yes / No

    • If no, how can you connect it more deeply to your personal aspirations?



  5. Is it Time-bound? (When will it be completed?)

    Yes / No

    • If no, what deadline can you set?



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Journal

Goal Reflection Journal: My Goals

Take some time to reflect on the goals you created today. This journal will help you connect with your goal and think about how you will work towards it.

  1. What do your goals mean to you personally? Why is this particular goal important to you at this point in your life?










  2. How do you feel after creating your SMART goals? Do you feel more focused, excited, or perhaps a little overwhelmed? Explain your feelings.










  3. What are some small, immediate steps you can take in the next week to move closer to your goals?










  4. Imagine yourself having achieved your goals. What does that feel like? What positive changes has it brought to your life?










  5. What potential challenges might you face on your journey to achieving these goals, and how might you plan to overcome them?










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