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Goal Stars: Reach High!

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Ichun Lu

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Goal Stars: Reach High!

Students will set a one-day personal goal and track completion with a star chart.

This lesson helps young learners understand how to set achievable goals and experience the joy of accomplishing them, fostering a sense of responsibility and perseverance.

Audience

Kindergarten Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, modeling, guided practice, and reflection.

Materials

Whiteboard or chart paper, Markers, Goal Stars Slide Deck, Star Goal Chart (one per student), Star stickers or crayons, Goal Reflection Page (one per student), and Goal Stars Facilitation Script

Prep

Prepare Materials

15 minutes

  • Review the Goal Stars Slide Deck and ensure all slides are ready.
    * Print one copy of the Star Goal Chart for each student.
    * Print one copy of the Goal Reflection Page for each student.
    * Gather star stickers or crayons for students to use on their charts.
    * Review the Goal Stars Facilitation Script to familiarize yourself with talking points and discussion prompts.
    * Prepare a personal example of a simple one-day goal to share with students.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Wishes vs. Goals (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by asking students: "What is something you really, really want to do today?" (e.g., play with a certain toy, have a snack).
    * Introduce the idea of 'wishes' (things we hope for) versus 'goals' (things we can work towards). Use the Goal Stars Slide Deck slides 1-2.
    * Explain that a goal is something we decide to try and achieve, and it takes a little bit of effort.

Step 2

Introducing Goal Stars (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Use the Goal Stars Slide Deck slides 3-5 to introduce the concept of a 'Goal Star' – a small, achievable goal for just one day.
    * Share your prepared personal example of a one-day goal (e.g., "My goal today is to drink 3 glasses of water.")
    * Model how you would track your goal on a blank Star Goal Chart if you were a student, explaining what it means to earn a star.

Step 3

Setting Personal Goals (8 minutes)

8 minutes

  • Distribute the Star Goal Chart to each student. Use the Goal Stars Slide Deck slides 6-7.
    * Guide students to think of one simple goal they can achieve today (e.g., "I will share my toys during free play," "I will clean up my crayons," "I will listen during story time").
    * Provide support as students verbalize and, if able, draw their goal on their chart. Circulate to offer assistance and ensure goals are achievable.
    * Explain that throughout the day, when they achieve their goal, they can add a star to their chart.

Step 4

End-of-Day Reflection (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • At the end of the day (or a designated time), gather students. Distribute the Goal Reflection Page. Use the Goal Stars Slide Deck slide 8.
    * Ask students to look at their Star Goal Chart. "How many stars did you earn? How does it feel to achieve your goal?"
    * Guide students to draw or write about their goal and how they felt on their Goal Reflection Page.

Step 5

Share Celebrations (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Facilitate a brief Goal Share Circle where students can voluntarily share their goal, their chart, and their reflection. Use the Goal Stars Slide Deck slide 9.
    * Emphasize the positive feeling of working towards and achieving a goal, and celebrate everyone's effort, regardless of how many stars they earned.
    * Conclude by reminding them they can set new 'Goal Stars' every day!
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Slide Deck

What Do We Wish For?

Close your eyes and think: What is something you really, really want to happen today?

Is it a wish or a goal?

Welcome students and introduce the idea of things we want. Start with a fun, engaging question to get them thinking.

Wishes vs. Goals

A wish is something you hope for. 🌠

A goal is something you can work to do! 💪

Explain the difference between a wish (something you hope for) and a goal (something you can work to make happen). Give simple examples.

Goal Stars!

Today, we're going to set a special kind of goal called a Goal Star!

A Goal Star is a small thing you want to do today. ✨

Introduce the concept of a 'Goal Star' – a small, achievable goal for just one day. Emphasize that it's something they can do.

My Goal Star Example

My goal today is to ________________.

(Show your example Star Goal Chart and how you would earn stars.)

Model your own simple goal and show how to track it on the Star Goal Chart. Make it clear and easy to understand.

What's Your Goal Star?

Your Goal Star is something you choose to work on today.

It makes you feel proud when you reach it!

Reiterate that a goal is something they decide to try and achieve, and it takes a little bit of effort and focus.

Choose Your Goal Star

Think about something you can do today.

  • Share your toys?
  • Clean up your crayons?
  • Listen during story time?

Draw or write your goal on your Star Goal Chart.

Explain to students that they will choose their own goal. Encourage them to think about something specific and achievable for the day.

Track Your Stars!

When you do your Goal Star, you get to add a star to your chart!

(Show the Star Goal Chart)

Show the Star Goal Chart and how they will put a star on it when they complete their goal. This is a visual aid for their tracking.

Time to Reflect

Did you reach your Goal Star today? How many stars did you earn?

How does it feel to do something you set out to do?

Draw or write about it on your Goal Reflection Page.

Guide them through the reflection process. Ask questions to prompt their thinking about their achievement and how it felt.

Share Your Shine!

Let's share our Goal Stars!

  • What was your goal?
  • How did it feel to work on it?
  • What did you learn?

(Facilitate the Goal Share Circle.)

Facilitate a sharing session. Emphasize celebration and effort, not just perfection. Encourage positive feedback.

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Worksheet

My Goal Star Chart

Name: _____________________________

My Goal Star for today is:

I will try to (draw or write your goal):













My Stars!

Color a star for each time you work on your goal or achieve it!

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐

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lenny

Journal

My Goal Star Reflection

Name: _____________________________

My goal today was:

How many stars did you earn today? (You can draw them!)




How did you feel when you worked on your goal or achieved it?

Draw or write about it:













One thing I learned about setting goals is:







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lenny

Discussion

Goal Share Circle: Let Your Stars Shine!

Purpose

To provide students with an opportunity to share their personal goals, celebrate their efforts, and reflect on the experience of working towards and achieving a goal in a supportive classroom environment.

Guidelines for Sharing

  • Listen Actively: Pay attention when others are speaking.
  • Be Kind: Offer encouraging words to your classmates.
  • Share Your Best: You can share your goal, how you worked on it, or how you felt.

Discussion Prompts for the Teacher

Opening the Circle (1-2 minutes)

  • "Welcome, everyone! Now it's time to celebrate our Goal Stars. Remember, every effort counts, and we're here to listen and encourage each other."
  • "Who would like to share their Goal Star with the circle today?"

Guiding Student Sharing (Each student ~1 minute)

  • "[Student's Name], please tell us: What was your Goal Star for today?"


  • "How did you work on your goal? What did you do to earn your stars?" (Refer to their Star Goal Chart)


  • "How did it feel when you were working on your goal? How did it feel when you achieved it?"


  • "Did you face any challenges? How did you keep going?" (Encourage perseverance)


  • "What is one thing you learned about setting goals or working towards something today?"


Concluding the Circle (1-2 minutes)

  • "Wow, thank you all for sharing your amazing Goal Stars! It's so wonderful to hear about everyone's efforts and achievements."
  • "Give yourselves a round of applause for being such great goal setters!"
  • "Remember, you can set new Goal Stars every single day. Keep shining bright!"
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lenny

Script

Goal Stars Facilitation Script

Introduction: Wishes vs. Goals (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Good morning, everyone! Today, we're going on an exciting adventure. I want you to close your eyes for a moment and think about something you really, really want to do today. Maybe you really want to play with the blocks, or maybe you really want a special snack. Keep that idea in your head."

(Teacher): "Okay, open your eyes! Who can tell me something they really want today?" (Allow a few student responses).

(Teacher): "Those are all wonderful things! Sometimes, we just hope for things, like wishing on a star. Those are called wishes. Can everyone say 'wish'?"

(Students): "Wish!"

(Teacher): "But sometimes, there are things we can actually do or work towards to make them happen. Those are called goals! Can everyone say 'goal'?"

(Students): "Goal!"

(Teacher): "We're going to learn all about setting our own special goals today!"

Introducing Goal Stars (7 minutes)

(Teacher): "Today, we're going to set a special kind of goal called a Goal Star! A Goal Star is a small thing you want to try and do, just for today. It's something you can make happen with a little bit of effort."

(Teacher): "I have my own Goal Star for today! My goal is to drink 3 glasses of water. See?" (Show your pre-filled example Star Goal Chart). "Every time I drink a glass of water, I will color in a star on my chart. By the end of the day, I hope to have three stars because I reached my goal! It makes me feel strong and healthy."

(Teacher): "A Goal Star is about deciding what you want to do and then working to do it. When you achieve your Goal Star, it feels really, really good!"

Setting Personal Goals (8 minutes)

(Teacher): "Now it's your turn to think of your Goal Star for today! What is one small, good thing you can try to do?"

(Teacher): "Maybe your goal is to share your toys during free play. Or maybe your goal is to clean up all your crayons after you use them. Or maybe your goal is to listen carefully during story time."

(Teacher): "I'm going to give you each a Star Goal Chart. On this chart, you can draw or, if you know how to write, write your Goal Star. I'll come around and help you think of ideas if you need it."

(Distribute Star Goal Charts and pencils/crayons. Circulate and assist students.)

(Teacher): "Remember, your goal should be something you can do. When you do your Goal Star, you get to put a star on your chart! You can color in one of these stars every time you do your goal. If your goal is to share, every time you share, you can color a star!"

End-of-Day Reflection (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "Alright, Goal Star champions! It's time to think about our goals today. Take out your Star Goal Chart. How many stars did you earn? Did you reach your Goal Star today?"

(Teacher): "Now, I'm giving you a Goal Reflection Page. On this page, I want you to draw or write about your goal. How did it feel to work on your goal? How did it feel if you got all your stars?"

(Distribute Goal Reflection Pages. Give students a few minutes to complete.)

Share Celebrations (5 minutes)

(Teacher): "It's time for our Goal Share Circle! We're going to sit in a circle, and if you want to, you can share your Goal Star and how it went. Remember to be a great listener when your friends are sharing."

(Teacher): "Who would like to start? What was your Goal Star today? How did it feel?"

(Facilitate the Goal Share Circle, encouraging students to share their goals and reflections. Emphasize effort and positive feelings.)

(Teacher): "Thank you all for sharing your amazing Goal Stars! Every single one of you worked hard and that's something to be very proud of. Give yourselves a big pat on the back! Remember, we can set new Goal Stars every day to help us learn and grow!"

lenny
lenny