Lesson Plan
SMART Strategies Lesson Plan
Students will be able to define each component of the SMART goal-setting framework and apply it to personal goals, translating abstract aspirations into concrete, actionable plans.
Learning to set SMART goals helps students develop essential life skills, providing a clear roadmap for achieving their dreams and fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-efficacy.
Audience
7th Grade Group
Time
60 minutes
Approach
Interactive lesson, guided practice, and group discussion.
Materials
Smart Strategies Slide Deck, My SMART Goal Builder Worksheet, and SMART Goal Share-Out Discussion
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Smart Strategies Lesson Plan and all linked materials.
- Print copies of the My SMART Goal Builder Worksheet for each student.
- Prepare presentation materials (e.g., projector, computer) for the Making Goals SMARTer Slide Deck.
- Arrange seating for small group discussion.
Step 1
Introduction: Big Dreams, Big Goals
5 minutes
Hook (2 minutes)
- Begin by asking students: "What's a big dream or goal you have, something you really want to achieve?"
- Allow a few students to share their responses.
- Transition: "Sometimes our big dreams feel overwhelming. Today, we're going to learn a trick to make those big dreams feel much more achievable: SMART goals!"
### Objective Introduction (1 minute)
- Introduce the lesson objective: "Today, we'll learn how to break down our goals into smaller, more manageable steps using the SMART framework."
Step 2
Understanding SMART Goals
20 minutes
Direct Instruction & Discussion (15 minutes)
- Use the Making Goals SMARTer Slide Deck to introduce each letter of the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
- For each letter, provide examples and ask students for their own examples or non-examples.
- Specific: "What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? When will it happen? Where? Why?"
- Measurable: "How will you know when you've reached your goal? How much? How many?"
- Achievable: "Is this goal realistic and attainable? Do you have the skills or resources, or can you get them?"
- Relevant: "Is this goal important to you? Does it align with your values or other objectives?"
- Time-bound: "When will you achieve this goal? What's the deadline?"
### Check for Understanding (5 minutes)
- After explaining all components, pose a hypothetical goal (e.g., "I want to get better at basketball") and ask students to collaboratively make it SMART using what they've learned.
Step 3
Applying SMART: My Goal Builder
20 minutes
Guided Practice (15 minutes)
- Distribute the My SMART Goal Builder Worksheet.
- Guide students through the worksheet, helping them choose a personal goal and apply the SMART framework to it.
- Circulate the room, providing individual support and feedback.
### Peer Review (5 minutes)
- Have students pair up and share their SMART goals. Encourage them to provide constructive feedback to ensure each other's goals are truly SMART.
Step 4
Sharing and Reflection
10 minutes
Group Share-Out (7 minutes)
- Facilitate the SMART Goal Share-Out Discussion.
- Invite volunteers to share their refined SMART goals with the small group.
- Encourage positive affirmation and brief constructive comments from peers.
### Reflection and Wrap-up (3 minutes)
- Ask students: "How does breaking down a big goal into SMART steps change how you feel about achieving it?"
- Emphasize that SMART goal setting is a lifelong skill for success.
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Slide Deck
Goals Go SMART!
Turning Dreams into Action
- We all have dreams, big and small!
- Sometimes, dreams feel far away.
- How can we make them real?
Welcome students and introduce the idea of big dreams and goals. This sets the stage for why goal setting is important.
What are SMART Goals?
A Super Strategy!
- Specific
- Measurable
- Achievable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Let's break it down!
Introduce the SMART acronym as a tool to make goals achievable. Emphasize that it's a 'trick' or 'strategy'.
S is for SPECIFIC
Clear and Focused
- What exactly do you want to achieve?
- Who is involved?
- When will it happen?
- Where?
- Why is it important?
Example: Instead of "I want to be a better student," try "I want to improve my grade in Math to an A by the end of the semester."
Explain 'Specific' with clear examples. Ask students to think of a non-specific goal and how to make it specific.
M is for MEASURABLE
How Will You Know?
- How will you know when you've reached your goal?
- How much? How many?
- What data will show your progress?
Example: "I want to read 3 new books this month." (You can count them!)
Explain 'Measurable' with clear examples. Discuss how to track progress.
A is for ACHIEVABLE
Is It Possible?
- Is this goal realistic and attainable?
- Do you have the skills or resources?
- Can you get them?
- Is it challenging, but not impossible?
Example: Instead of "I want to fly to the moon next week," try "I want to learn about space exploration."
Explain 'Achievable' and the importance of realism. Discuss how to break down big goals into smaller steps.
R is for RELEVANT
Does It Matter to YOU?
- Is this goal important to you?
- Does it align with your values?
- Why do you want to achieve it?
- Does it fit into your bigger plans?
Example: "I want to practice guitar daily because I want to play in the school band." (It matters to your passion!)
Explain 'Relevant' and why the goal should matter to the student. Connect it to personal values or larger aspirations.
T is for TIME-BOUND
Set a Deadline!
- When will you achieve this goal?
- What's the target date?
- Having a deadline helps you stay focused and motivated.
Example: "I will finish my science project by Friday." (Clear deadline!)
Explain 'Time-bound' and the necessity of a deadline. Discuss the difference between short-term and long-term goals.
Putting it all together!
Practice Time!
Let's take a goal like "I want to be happier" and make it SMART!
- Specific?
- Measurable?
- Achievable?
- Relevant?
- Time-bound?
(Teacher will guide the discussion to make this goal SMART)
Review all components and lead a quick activity where students apply SMART to a common, non-SMART goal.
Your Turn: Build Your SMART Goal!
Now it's your chance!
- Use the My SMART Goal Builder Worksheet to create your very own SMART goal.
- Think of something you truly want to achieve.
Get ready to make your dreams happen!
Conclude by introducing the worksheet for individual practice.
Worksheet
My SMART Goal Builder
Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________
Part 1: My Big Dream/Goal Idea
What is a dream or goal you have right now? It can be about school, a hobby, a personal skill, or anything important to you! Don't worry about making it SMART yet, just write down your initial idea.
Part 2: Making It SMART
Now, let's take your big dream and break it down using the SMART framework. Answer the questions for each letter, making your goal clearer and more actionable.
S - Specific (What exactly do you want to achieve?)
- Original Idea: __________________________________________________
- Specific Details: What exactly will you do? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Why is this goal important to you?
M - Measurable (How will you know you've achieved it?)
- How will you track your progress? What numbers, amounts, or observations will tell you you're making headway or have reached your goal?
A - Achievable (Is this goal realistic for you?)
- Do you have the skills or resources needed? If not, how can you get them? Is it challenging but still possible?
R - Relevant (Why is this goal important to you?)
- Does this goal truly matter to you? How does it fit into your larger aspirations or values? Why do you want to do this?
T - Time-bound (When will you achieve this goal?)
- What is your deadline? When will you start, and when do you plan to have it completed?
Part 3: My SMART Goal Statement
Now, combine all your SMART answers into one clear and concise goal statement!
My SMART Goal:
Discussion
SMART Goal Share-Out: Making Dreams Real
Now that you've each worked on building your own SMART goal, it's time to share and celebrate our efforts! This is a chance to practice communicating your goals clearly and to get positive feedback from your peers.
Discussion Guidelines:
- Listen Actively: Pay attention when others are sharing. Show respect.
- Be Supportive: Offer encouragement and positive comments.
- Give Constructive Feedback: If you see an opportunity to make a goal even more SMART, offer it gently and helpfully. For example,