Dream Big, Start Small

Think about something you really want to achieve in the next week, month, or even year. It could be learning a new skill, getting better at a sport, or improving your grades.

1. What is one big goal you have?





2. Why is this goal important to you?





3. What's one tiny step you could take today or tomorrow to get closer to that goal?

Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Script

Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small (10 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're going to talk about something super exciting: goals! We all have dreams and things we want to achieve, whether it's learning a new game, getting better at a subject, or even helping out more at home. To get us thinking, I've handed out a short warm-up activity called Dream Big, Start Small Warm-Up. Please take a few minutes to silently read the questions and write down your thoughts. Don't worry, there are no right or wrong answers, just your amazing ideas!"

(Allow students 5 minutes to write.)

Teacher: "Alright, who would like to share one of their goals or a small step they thought of? Remember, sharing helps inspire others!" (Call on 2-3 students. Affirm their responses and connect them to the idea of future learning.)

Introduction to Goals (10 minutes)

(Transition to Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Slide Deck - Slide 1)

Teacher: "Fantastic! So, how do we actually turn those big dreams into reality? That's what we're here to discover today: Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em!"

(Advance to Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Slide Deck - Slide 2)

Teacher: "So, what exactly is a goal? Can anyone give me a definition in their own words?" (Wait for responses, guide them to the slide's definition.)

Teacher: "Exactly! A goal is something you want to achieve or do. It's like having a destination when you go on a trip. It gives you direction, helps you focus your energy, and guess what? Goals can be big, or they can be small! I've also given you a short What Are Goals? Reading that you can look at to learn more."

(Advance to Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Slide Deck - Slide 3)

Teacher: "Now, let's think about different types of goals. We have short-term goals and long-term goals. What do you think the difference might be?" (Encourage student input.)

Teacher: "You got it! Short-term goals are things you can achieve pretty soon, like today or this week. Maybe your short-term goal is to finish your homework or clean your room. Long-term goals are bigger and take more time, like this month, this year, or even longer. Learning to play a new instrument or saving up for something special could be long-term goals. Often, short-term goals are like stepping stones to reach a big, long-term goal. Any questions so far?" (Pause for questions.)

(Refer to Goal-Setting Discussion Questions for additional prompts here if time allows.)

Goal-Action Alignment Activity (15 minutes)

(Advance to Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Slide Deck - Slide 4)

Teacher: "Having a goal is awesome, but it's just the start! Who can tell me what this slide says we need to do to achieve our goals?" (Point to 'Action Steps').

Teacher: "That's right, action! Actions speak louder than just wishing. To achieve your goals, you need to actually do things. You need to figure out the steps to get there."

(Advance to Goals: Set 'Em, Get 'Em Slide Deck - Slide 5)

Teacher: "Think of it like a roadmap. If you want to go from our school to the library, you wouldn't just wish yourself there, right? You'd need to know the turns, the streets, and the steps to take. It's the same with goals! We need to break our big goals into smaller, manageable steps."

Teacher: "I'm handing out an Action Alignment Activity Sheet. I want you to pick one goal – maybe one from our warm-up, or a new one – and then brainstorm the smaller action steps you'd need to take to get there. I'll give you an example: if my goal is to 'learn to cook a new recipe,' my action steps might be '1. Choose a recipe, 2. Make a grocery list, 3. Buy ingredients, 4. Follow the steps in the recipe.' See how I broke it down?"

(Distribute Action Alignment Activity Sheet. Circulate the room, assisting students as they work. Provide feedback and encouragement.)

Game: Goal-Getter (10 minutes)

(Prepare for Goal-Getter Game Cards.)

Teacher: "Great job planning those actions! Now, let's have some fun and practice this even more. We're going to play the Goal-Getter Game! I'm going to divide you into small groups. Each group will get a set of Goal-Getter Game Cards. On each card, you'll find a goal. Your group's challenge is to brainstorm as many realistic action steps as you can to achieve that goal in just two minutes. When the timer goes off, we'll share some of your amazing action plans!"

(Divide students into groups, distribute cards, explain rules clearly, and set a timer. Facilitate sharing after each round or a few rounds.)

Independent Practice: My Goal, My Path (10 minutes)

(Distribute My Goal, My Path Worksheet.)

Teacher: "Fantastic teamwork, Goal-Getters! For the next part, you'll get to focus on your own path. I'm handing out the My Goal, My Path Worksheet. On this sheet, I want you to choose one personal goal – it can be one we've discussed, or a new one you're excited about. Then, I want you to map out at least three specific actions you will take to achieve that goal. Be thoughtful and realistic!"

(Allow students to work independently. Circulate to provide support. Collect worksheets upon completion. Remind students that their planning will be useful for the My Goal Project Guide.)

Assessment: Goal-Action Alignment Quiz (5 minutes)

(Distribute Goal-Action Alignment Quiz.)

Teacher: "We've covered a lot about goals and actions today! To see what you've learned, please complete this short Goal-Action Alignment Quiz. Do your best, and if you get stuck, think back to our slides and activities."

*(Collect quizzes. Inform students that a more extensive project, the My Goal Project Guide, will follow, assessed with the Goal Project Rubric.)

Cool-Down: Goal Reflection (5 minutes)

(Distribute Goal Reflection Cool Down.)

Teacher: "Great work today, everyone! To wrap up, please take a moment to fill out this Goal Reflection Cool Down. Think about what you learned and what you're excited to apply to your own goals. This helps me understand what resonated with you and how you're feeling about setting and achieving your goals. Thank you for your amazing participation!"

(Collect cool-downs as students leave or as time permits.)

What Are Goals?

Have you ever wanted to learn something new, like how to draw a perfect circle, or achieve something big, like getting an A on a challenging test? If so, you already know about goals!

A goal is simply something you want to do or achieve in the future. It's like a target you're aiming for. Goals are important because they give us a sense of direction. Without goals, it's easy to wander around without a clear purpose, like sailing a boat without knowing where you want to go.

Why Are Goals Important?

Goals help us in many ways:

• Focus: They help us concentrate our energy on what truly matters.
• Motivation: They give us a reason to work hard and keep trying, even when things get tough.
• Progress: They allow us to see how far we've come and celebrate our successes.
• Growth: They challenge us to learn new things and become better versions of ourselves.

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals

Not all goals are the same! We can think about them in two main ways:

Short-Term Goals

These are goals you can achieve in a relatively short amount of time, like a day, a week, or a month. They often don't require a lot of steps, or they might be smaller steps that lead to a bigger goal.

Examples of Short-Term Goals:

• Finish your homework tonight.
• Read for 20 minutes before bedtime.
• Clean your room this Saturday.
• Help a friend with their project.

Long-Term Goals

These are bigger goals that take a longer time to achieve, sometimes several months, a year, or even many years. They usually require more planning, effort, and many smaller steps along the way.

Examples of Long-Term Goals:

• Learn to play a musical instrument.
• Save money to buy a new bike.
• Become a strong soccer player.
• Get good grades throughout the school year.

Think about it: learning to play a musical instrument (a long-term goal) might involve many short-term goals like practicing scales for 15 minutes each day or learning one new chord each week. Each small step gets you closer to your big dream! Knowing the difference helps us plan better and celebrate progress along the way.

Action Alignment Activity

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________


### My Big Goal:

What is one important goal you want to achieve? Think big, but keep it realistic for you!

### Why is this goal important to me?

How will achieving this goal help you or others?

### Breaking It Down: My Action Steps

Now, let's break your big goal into smaller, manageable steps. What are the things you need to DO to reach your goal? Think of at least 3-5 steps.

1. Step 1:
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Step 2:
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Step 3:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Step 4 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Step 5 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   ### My First Small Step:

What is the very first, easiest step you can take towards your goal, perhaps today or tomorrow?

### Feeling Ready?

On a scale of 1 to 5, how ready do you feel to start working on your goal?
(1 = Not ready, 5 = Very ready)

Circle one: 1 2 3 4 5

Goal-Setting Discussion Questions

Use these questions to facilitate a class or small group discussion about goals and actions.

Understanding Goals

1. What is one new thing you learned about goals today from our slides or reading?
   
   
   
   
2. Can you give an example of a short-term goal? What makes it short-term?
   
   
   
   
3. Can you give an example of a long-term goal? What makes it long-term?
   
   
   
   
4. Why do you think it's important to have goals in your life?
   
   
   
   

Actions and Alignment

5. We talked about aligning actions with goals. What does that mean to you in your own words?
   
   
   
   
6. Imagine a goal like "Learn to bake a cake." What are some action steps someone would need to take to achieve that goal?
   
   
   
   
7. Why is breaking a big goal into smaller steps helpful?
   
   
   
   
8. What happens if you have a goal but don't take any action? What if you take actions but they don't align with your goal?
   
   
   
   

Personal Reflection

9. Think about a goal you have. What is one action you can take this week to move closer to it?
   
   
   
   
10. What might be some challenges when trying to achieve a goal, and how can you overcome them?

My Goal, My Path

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________


### My Personal Goal:

Choose ONE goal that you want to achieve. It can be something for school, a hobby, or something personal. Make it clear and something you can work towards! (For example: "I want to read 3 new adventure books this month." or "I want to learn how to draw a dog by next week.")

### Why This Goal Matters To Me:

In your own words, explain why you want to achieve this goal. What will it feel like? How will it help you?

### My Action Steps:

Now, list at least 3-5 specific, small actions you will take to reach your goal. What do you need to do?

1. Action 1:
   
   
   
   
   
   

2. Action 2:
   
   
   
   
   
   

3. Action 3:
   
   
   
   
   
   

4. Action 4 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   

5. Action 5 (Optional):
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   ### My Biggest Challenge & How I'll Handle It:

What might make it hard to achieve this goal? How will you overcome that challenge?

### My Success Celebration!

How will you celebrate when you achieve your goal?

Goal-Getter Game Cards

Instructions: Cut out these cards. In small groups, pick a card. As a group, brainstorm as many action steps as you can to achieve the goal on the card within 2 minutes. Share your action steps with the class!

Card 1: Goal

Learn to ride a skateboard.

Possible Action Steps:

• Watch videos on balancing.
• Find a smooth, flat area to practice.
• Wear safety gear (helmet, pads).
• Practice balancing with one foot on the board.
• Practice pushing off with one foot.

Card 2: Goal

Read 5 chapter books by the end of the school year.

Possible Action Steps:

• Choose 5 books I want to read.
• Set aside 20 minutes each day for reading.
• Keep a reading log to track progress.
• Visit the library regularly.
• Discuss books with a friend or teacher.

Card 3: Goal

Make a new friend in class.

Possible Action Steps:

• Identify someone I want to get to know.
• Smile and say hello to them.
• Ask them about their interests during recess.
• Invite them to play a game.
• Be a good listener.

Card 4: Goal

Help clean up my local park.

Possible Action Steps:

• Find out about local park cleanup events.
• Ask my parents if I can volunteer.
• Gather gloves and trash bags.
• Pick up litter carefully.
• Recycle what can be recycled.

Card 5: Goal

Get better at drawing animals.

Possible Action Steps:

• Find online tutorials or books about drawing animals.
• Practice drawing different animal shapes (circles, ovals).
• Draw for 10-15 minutes every day.
• Ask for feedback from an art teacher or friend.
• Try drawing different types of animals.

Card 6: Goal

Save $20 to buy a new art supply.

Possible Action Steps:

• Create a budget to see how much money I have.
• Look for chores I can do to earn money.
• Put a portion of allowance into a savings jar.
• Avoid unnecessary spending.
• Track my savings progress.

Goal-Action Answer Key

Goal-Action Alignment Quiz Answers

1. What is a goal?

   • Correct Answer: B. Something you want to do or achieve in the future.
   • Thought Process: A goal is defined as an aim or desired result, which aligns directly with wanting to do or achieve something. Options A, C, and D are clearly incorrect as they misrepresent the definition.

2. Which of these is a short-term goal?

   • Correct Answer: C. Finish my math homework tonight.
   • Thought Process: Short-term goals are achievable in a short timeframe (hours, days, weeks). Finishing homework tonight fits this definition. The other options are long-term goals requiring significant time and effort.

3. Which of these is a long-term goal?

   • Correct Answer: C. Save money to buy a new bicycle next year.
   • Thought Process: Long-term goals require a longer period (months, years). Saving for a bicycle over a year is a clear example of a long-term goal. The other options are short-term tasks.

4. Why is it important to break a big goal into smaller action steps?

   • Correct Answer: C. To make the goal more manageable and easier to start.
   • Thought Process: Breaking down goals makes them less overwhelming and provides a clear path forward, making them easier to approach and achieve. The other options describe negative or incorrect reasons.

5. Imagine your goal is to "Become a better soccer player." Name two action steps you could take to achieve this goal.

   • Possible Answers (any two of the following or similar realistic steps):
     • Practice dribbling for 30 minutes every day.
     • Join a soccer team.
     • Watch professional soccer games to learn strategies.
     • Run laps to improve stamina.
     • Practice shooting drills in the backyard.
   • Thought Process: To become a better soccer player, one must actively engage in activities that build skills and fitness related to soccer. These actions are specific, measurable, and directly contribute to improving soccer ability.

Worksheet Guidance (My Goal, My Path & Action Alignment Activity)

(Note: Answers for these materials will vary based on student personal goals. The teacher should look for clarity, realism, and logical alignment between the goal and the proposed action steps.)

For "My Big Goal" / "My Personal Goal":

• Teacher should look for: A clearly stated, specific goal. It should be something the student genuinely wants to achieve.
  • Example: "Learn 10 new Spanish words each week." (Short-term) or "Read all the books in the Harry Potter series this school year." (Long-term)

For "Why is this goal important to me?" / "Why This Goal Matters To Me":

• Teacher should look for: Personal connection and motivation. Students should be able to articulate why the goal is meaningful to them.
  • Example: "Learning Spanish words will help me talk to my new neighbor." or "Reading the Harry Potter series will make me a faster reader and I love magical stories."

For "Breaking It Down: My Action Steps" / "My Action Steps":

• Teacher should look for: Logical, sequential, and specific steps that directly contribute to achieving the stated goal. Steps should be actionable.
  • Example (for "Learn 10 new Spanish words each week"):
    1. Find a list of 10 common Spanish words.
    2. Write each word down 3 times.
    3. Practice saying the words out loud.
    4. Create flashcards for the words.
    5. Ask a family member to quiz me.

For "My First Small Step":

• Teacher should look for: The very first, easiest, and immediate action the student can take to start their journey toward the goal.
  • Example: "Find a list of 10 new Spanish words online tonight."

For "My Biggest Challenge & How I'll Handle It" (My Goal, My Path):

• Teacher should look for: Realistic identification of a potential obstacle and a thoughtful, proactive strategy to overcome it.
  • Example Challenge: "I might forget to practice my Spanish words every day."
  • Example Solution: "I will set a reminder on my phone for 5 PM each day to practice."

For "My Success Celebration!" (My Goal, My Path):

• Teacher should look for: A positive and motivating way for the student to acknowledge their achievement. This reinforces the value of goal attainment.

My Goal, My Journey Project Guide

Project Goal:

To apply your understanding of goal setting and action alignment by choosing a personal long-term goal and planning the steps to achieve it over several weeks.

Project Overview:

In this project, you will become a Goal-Getter Extraordinaire! You will select one meaningful personal long-term goal, create a detailed plan for how you will achieve it, and then track your progress. This project will help you practice breaking down big dreams into small, achievable steps and seeing how your actions lead to success!

Project Steps:

Part 1: Choose Your Goal (Due: [Date 1])

1. Brainstorm: Think about something you genuinely want to achieve over the next few weeks or months. It could be:
   • Learning a new skill (e.g., coding, playing an instrument, drawing)
   • Improving in a sport or hobby
   • Mastering a challenging academic subject
   • Taking on a new responsibility at home or in the community
2. Select ONE Long-Term Goal: From your brainstormed ideas, choose one goal that is:
   • Specific: Clearly defined (e.g., "Learn 5 new chords on the guitar" instead of "Get good at guitar").
   • Measurable: You can track your progress (e.g., "Read 3 chapter books" instead of "Read more").
   • Achievable: Realistic for you to reach within the project timeframe (e.g., 3-4 weeks).
   • Relevant: Important and meaningful to you.
   • Time-bound: Has a clear start and end date (e.g., "by the end of the month").
3. Write It Down: Clearly state your chosen goal at the top of your project document.

Part 2: Develop Your Action Plan (Due: [Date 2])

1. Break It Down: Your long-term goal needs a roadmap! On a separate sheet of paper or in a digital document, list at least 5-7 clear, smaller action steps you will take to achieve your goal. These should be things you can do.
   • Example Goal: "Learn 5 new chords on the guitar by the end of the month."
   • Example Action Steps:
     1. Watch online tutorials for 5 basic guitar chords.
     2. Practice holding the guitar and placing fingers for Chord 1 for 10 minutes daily.
     3. Practice switching between Chord 1 and Chord 2 for 10 minutes daily.
     4. Learn Chord 3 and practice daily.
     5. Learn Chords 4 & 5 and practice daily.
     6. Practice all 5 chords together.
     7. Ask a family member to listen to my chords.
2. Timeline: For each action step, assign a realistic date or timeframe for when you plan to complete it.

Part 3: Track Your Progress & Reflect (Due: [Date 3])

1. Daily/Weekly Check-in: Create a simple log or journal (you can use the provided Goal-Tracking Journal for this) where you briefly write down:
   • What actions you took towards your goal each day/week.
   • Any challenges you faced.
   • How you overcame those challenges.
   • What you learned.
   • How you felt about your progress.
2. Evidence (Optional but encouraged): Include any evidence of your progress (e.g., a drawing, a photo, a short video, a paragraph you wrote, a screenshot of a game score). This helps show your journey!

Part 4: Final Presentation/Submission (Due: [Date 4])

1. Prepare to Share: Organize all parts of your project:
   • Your stated Long-Term Goal.
   • Your detailed Action Plan with Timeline.
   • Your Progress Log/Journal with reflections.
   • Any Evidence of Progress you collected.
2. Present (Optional): Be ready to briefly share your goal, your plan, and one exciting thing you learned or achieved during the project with the class. (Your teacher will give specific instructions for this.)

Assessment:

Your project will be assessed using the Goal Project Rubric. Make sure to review it carefully as you work!

Goal Project Rubric: My Goal, My Journey

Student Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________

Teacher Comments:

Total Score: ________ / 20

My Goal-Tracking Journal

My Long-Term Goal: ____________________________________________________________________

Start Date: _______________ Target Completion Date: _______________


## Week 1 Check-in: [Date]

Actions Taken This Week:

What specific steps did you take towards your goal?

Challenges Faced:

What made it difficult to work on your goal this week?

How I Overcame Them:

What did you do to get past the challenges?

What I Learned:

What new insights or skills did you gain?

My Next Steps for Next Week:

What are your plan for the upcoming week?

How I Felt About My Progress:

Circle one: 😢 Frustrated 😐 Okay 🙂 Good 🤩 Amazing
Why did you feel this way?

Week 2 Check-in: [Date]

Actions Taken This Week:

What specific steps did you take towards your goal?

Challenges Faced:

What made it difficult to work on your goal this week?

How I Overcame Them:

What did you do to get past the challenges?

What I Learned:

What new insights or skills did you gain?

My Next Steps for Next Week:

What are your plan for the upcoming week?

How I Felt About My Progress:

Circle one: 😢 Frustrated 😐 Okay 🙂 Good 🤩 Amazing
Why did you feel this way?

Goal Reflection: What's Next for Me?

Name: _________________________

Date: _________________________


1. What is the most important thing you learned about setting goals today?

2. Thinking about your own goals, what is one small action you are committed to taking in the next 24 hours?
   
   
   
   

3. On a scale of 1 to 5, how confident do you feel about breaking down a big goal into smaller steps? (1 = Not confident, 5 = Very confident)

   Circle one:   1   2   3   4   5
   
   
   
   

4. What is one question you still have about goals or taking action?