lenny

Goals for Your Epic Year!

user image

Lesson Plan

Goals for Your Epic Year!

Students will be able to identify personal strengths and areas for growth, define clear and measurable New Year's goals, and outline actionable steps to achieve their goals.

Learning to set goals helps students develop self-discipline, foresight, and a sense of purpose. It empowers them to take ownership of their future and provides a roadmap for personal and academic success.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

60 minutes

Approach

Through guided discussion, individual reflection, and a structured worksheet, students will set SMART goals.

Materials

Smart Start Warm-Up (digital) Smart Start Warm-Up, Goals for Your Epic Year! Slide Deck Goals for Your Epic Year! Slide Deck, My Epic Year Goals Worksheet My Epic Year Goals Worksheet, and Goal Getter Cool Down Goal Getter Cool Down

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Smart Start

5 minutes

Begin with the Smart Start Warm-Up displayed on the board. Ask students to quickly jot down their answers to the prompt: "What is one thing you accomplished last year that you are proud of?" Allow students a few minutes to think and write. Briefly discuss a few student responses to build positive energy.

Step 2

Introduction: Why Goals?

10 minutes

Using the first few slides of the Goals for Your Epic Year! Slide Deck, introduce the concept of New Year's goals beyond resolutions. Discuss why setting goals is important for personal growth, academic success, and future aspirations. Emphasize that goals provide direction and motivation. Introduce the idea of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).

Step 3

Defining SMART Goals

15 minutes

Continue through the Goals for Your Epic Year! Slide Deck to explain each component of SMART goals with examples. Encourage students to think about different areas of their lives (academic, personal, social, extracurricular) where they might want to set goals. Facilitate a brief class discussion, asking students for hypothetical SMART goal examples.

Step 4

Individual Goal Setting with Worksheet

20 minutes

Distribute the My Epic Year Goals Worksheet. Instruct students to use the worksheet to brainstorm and write down 2-3 personal SMART goals for the new year. Circulate the room to provide individual support, answer questions, and encourage thoughtful goal setting. Remind students to consider the actionable steps and potential obstacles for each goal.

Step 5

Share and Reflect (Optional)

5 minutes

If time permits, invite students to voluntarily share one of their goals with a small group or the class. Emphasize that it's okay if they don't want to share, but sharing can build accountability and offer inspiration. Briefly recap the importance of reviewing and adjusting goals throughout the year.

Step 6

Cool Down: Goal Getter

5 minutes

Conclude the lesson with the Goal Getter Cool Down activity. Students will reflect on one thing they learned about goal setting today. Collect their responses as an exit ticket.

lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Welcome to Your Epic Year!

Get ready to make this year your best yet!

Welcome students and prepare for the warm-up. Ensure the warm-up prompt is visible.

Smart Start: Proud Moments

What is one thing you accomplished last year that you are proud of?


Introduce the warm-up and give students a few minutes to write their accomplishments. Facilitate a brief sharing session.

Beyond Resolutions: Why Set Goals?

  • Direction: Goals give you a path.
  • Motivation: They inspire you to keep going.
  • Growth: Help you become who you want to be.
  • Success: A roadmap for achieving your dreams!

Start the discussion on why goals are important. Connect it to their own lives and futures.

Meet SMART Goals!

Goals that are:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that each letter represents a crucial aspect of effective goal setting.

S is for SPECIFIC

Specific goals clearly state what you want to achieve.

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

Try: "I want to raise my Biology grade to an A by the end of the semester."

Explain 'Specific' with an example. Ask students to think of a non-specific goal and how to make it specific.

M is for MEASURABLE

Measurable goals include criteria to track your progress.

How will you know when you've reached your goal?

Example: "I will read two non-fiction books each month."

Explain 'Measurable' and how to track progress. Ask for examples of how to measure a goal.

A is for ACHIEVABLE

Achievable goals are realistic and attainable, but still challenge you.

Can you realistically accomplish this goal?

Example: "I will complete all my homework assignments on time each week."

Discuss 'Achievable' and the importance of realism. Emphasize challenging themselves, but not setting themselves up for failure.

R is for RELEVANT

Relevant goals align with your values and long-term aspirations.

Why is this goal important to you?

Example: "I will practice my instrument for 30 minutes daily to prepare for the school band audition."

Explain 'Relevant' and how it connects to their larger aspirations. Ask students why a goal might be relevant to them.

T is for TIME-BOUND

Time-bound goals have a clear deadline.

When do you want to achieve this goal?

Example: "I will save $200 by June 1st for a new gaming console."

Finally, 'Time-bound.' Stress the importance of a deadline. Ask what happens if there's no deadline.

Your Turn! Set Your SMART Goals

Now it's your chance to create your own amazing goals!

Use your My Epic Year Goals Worksheet to brainstorm and write 2-3 SMART goals for the new year. Think about:

  • Academics
  • Personal growth
  • Hobbies
  • Relationships

Transition to the worksheet activity. Instruct students to use the worksheet for brainstorming and writing their goals.

What's Your Plan?

For each goal, think about:

  • What steps will you take to achieve it?
  • What challenges might you face?
  • How will you overcome those challenges?

Remind students to consider steps and obstacles. Offer individual help as they work.

Share & Inspire (Optional)

Would anyone like to share one of their SMART goals with the class or a small group?

Sharing can help with accountability and inspire others!

If time, facilitate sharing. Otherwise, move to the cool down.

Cool Down: Goal Getter

On your Goal Getter Cool Down paper, write down one new thing you learned about setting goals today.

Introduce the cool-down activity and prepare to collect responses.

lenny

Warm Up

Smart Start: Proud Moments

What is one thing you accomplished last year that you are proud of?


lenny
lenny

Worksheet

My Epic Year Goals Worksheet

Setting goals helps you plan for success and achieve your dreams! Use this worksheet to create your own SMART goals for the new year.

What is a SMART Goal?

  • Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve?
  • Measurable: How will you track your progress and know when you've reached it?
  • Achievable: Is this goal realistic and possible for you to accomplish?
  • Relevant: Why is this goal important to you? How does it fit with your overall ambitions?
  • Time-bound: When will you achieve this goal? What is your deadline?

Goal 1: My First Epic Goal

What is your goal? (Make it specific!)







How will you measure your progress?




Is this goal achievable for you? Why or why not?




Why is this goal relevant to you and your future?




When will you achieve this goal? (Set a deadline!)




What are the first 3 steps you will take to achieve this goal?







Goal 2: My Second Epic Goal

What is your goal? (Make it specific!)







How will you measure your progress?




Is this goal achievable for you? Why or why not?




Why is this goal relevant to you and your future?




When will you achieve this goal? (Set a deadline!)




What are the first 3 steps you will take to achieve this goal?







Goal 3: My Third Epic Goal (Optional Challenge)

What is your goal? (Make it specific!)







How will you measure your progress?




Is this goal achievable for you? Why or why not?




Why is this goal relevant to you and your future?




When will you achieve this goal? (Set a deadline!)




What are the first 3 steps you will take to achieve this goal?







lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Goal Getter Cool Down

What is one new thing you learned about setting goals today that you will try to use in the future?





lenny
lenny