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Goals That Guide You

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Lesson Plan

Goals That Guide You Lesson Plan

Students will write one SMART goal that is aligned with one of their core values.

Understanding how to set SMART goals helps students achieve personal aspirations and develop a clear path forward for future success.

Audience

8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, guided practice, and peer feedback.

Materials

Smart Goal Builder Worksheet, Goals That Guide Slides, and Goal Feedback Rubric

Prep

Review Materials

10 minutes

Review the Goals That Guide You Lesson Plan, Goals That Guide Slides, SMART Goal Builder Worksheet, and Goal Feedback Rubric. Make copies of the worksheet and rubric for each student.

Step 1

Warm Up: Your Big Goal

5 minutes

  • Display the 'Do Now' slide from Goals That Guide Slides.
  • Ask students: "What is one big goal you have for yourself, either for school or your personal life? Share it with a partner or jot it down privately." (2 minutes)
  • Facilitate a brief class share-out. (3 minutes)

Step 2

Teach SMART Goals & Values

10 minutes

  • Use the Goals That Guide Slides to introduce the SMART goal criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
  • Explain how aligning goals with personal values makes them more meaningful and sustainable.
  • Provide examples of non-SMART vs. SMART goals, and goals aligned vs. not aligned with values. Use interactive questions throughout the presentation to check for understanding.

Step 3

Draft Your SMART Goal

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goal Builder Worksheet.
  • Guide students through the worksheet, helping them identify a core value and then draft a SMART goal connected to that value.
  • Circulate the room to provide individual support and answer questions.

Step 4

Peer Feedback & Refinement

5 minutes

  • Explain the peer feedback process using the Goal Feedback Rubric.
  • Pair students and have them use the rubric to provide constructive feedback on their partner's SMART goal.
  • Students should use this feedback to refine their drafted goal.
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Slide Deck

Goals That Guide You

What's one big goal you have for yourself?

Welcome students and introduce the topic of goals. Ask them to think about their own aspirations before diving into the lesson.

What are SMART Goals?

SMART is an acronym for:

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

Explain what SMART stands for using the acronym. Go through each letter individually, providing a brief description.

S is for Specific

Make your goal clear and well-defined. Avoid vague language. Who, What, Where, When, Why?

Elaborate on Specific. Ask students to think about how they can make their goals clear.

M is for Measurable

How will you track your progress and know when you've reached your goal? Use numbers or clear indicators.

Explain Measurable. How will students know if they've met their goal? What metrics will they use?

A is for Achievable

Is your goal realistic and attainable? Can you actually do it, even if it's a challenge?

Discuss Achievable. Is the goal realistic given resources and constraints? Encourage challenging but attainable goals.

R is for Relevant

Why is this goal important to you? Does it align with your values and other aspirations?

Focus on Relevant. Why is this goal important to the student? Connect it to their values.

T is for Time-bound

Set a deadline for your goal. When do you want to achieve it by?

Explain Time-bound. Emphasize the need for a deadline to create urgency and focus.

Why Values Matter

Your core values are the beliefs and principles that guide your life. When your goals align with your values, you're more likely to stay motivated!

Introduce the idea of values. Ask students to consider what is truly important to them.

Time to Draft Your SMART Goal!

Let's use the SMART Goal Builder Worksheet to create your own SMART goal. Remember to connect it to a core value!

Guide students to start drafting their goals on the worksheet. Remind them to think about their values.

Get Feedback, Get Better!

You'll be working with a partner to give and receive feedback on your SMART goals using the Goal Feedback Rubric. This helps make your goals even stronger!

Explain the peer feedback process and how the rubric will be used. Emphasize constructive criticism.

Goals That Guide You: Your Path to Success!

Setting SMART goals aligned with your values helps you achieve what truly matters. Keep guiding yourself to success!

Conclude the lesson by reinforcing the power of SMART goals.

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Worksheet

SMART Goal Builder Worksheet

Name: _____________________________

Date: _____________________________

Step 1: Identify a Core Value

What is one thing that is truly important to you? What principle or belief guides your actions? (e.g., honesty, kindness, learning, health, creativity, achievement, community)

My Core Value:


Step 2: Draft Your Goal Idea

What is a big goal you have that connects to your core value? (This doesn't have to be SMART yet!)

My Goal Idea:





Step 3: Make it SMART!

Now, let's refine your goal using the SMART criteria.

S - Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve? Be clear and detailed. (Who, What, Where, When, Why?)

My Specific Goal:





M - Measurable

How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What evidence will show your progress? (Use numbers or clear indicators.)

How I will measure it:


A - Achievable

Is this goal realistic given your resources and abilities? Is it challenging but possible?

Why it is Achievable:


R - Relevant

Why is this goal important to you? How does it align with your core value?

Why it is Relevant (and connects to my value):





T - Time-bound

By when do you want to achieve this goal? Set a realistic deadline.

My Deadline:


Step 4: Write Your Final SMART Goal

Combine all the SMART elements into one clear goal statement.

My Final SMART Goal:











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Rubric

Goal Feedback Rubric

Student Name: _____________________________

Reviewer Name: _____________________________

Use this rubric to provide constructive feedback on your partner's SMART goal. For each category, highlight the description that best fits, and provide specific comments to help them improve.

Rubric Criteria

CriteriaNeeds ImprovementDevelopingProficientExemplaryComments/Suggestions for Improvement
S: SpecificGoal is vague and unclear, making it hard to understand what needs to be achieved.Goal has some specific details but could be clearer; some
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