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Goals That Stick!

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Lesson Plan

Goals That Stick

Students will draft one SMART academic or attendance goal and outline two action steps and one accountability check.

Learning to set SMART goals empowers students to take ownership of their learning and develop crucial self-management skills. This lesson provides a framework for students to set achievable goals and build habits for success, fostering independence and a growth mindset.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, peer collaboration, and self-reflection.

Materials

Smart Goal Mini-Lesson, Goals That Stick Slides, SMART Goal Planner, Weekly Goal Tracker, Accountability Buddy Setup, and Exit Ticket Next Action

Prep

Review Materials & Prepare

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Goal Rating Scale (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display a rating scale (1-5, 1 being 'not at all likely' and 5 being 'very likely') on the board or a slide.
    - Ask students: 'How likely are you to achieve a goal you set for yourself?' Have students show their rating with fingers or by writing it down.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: 'Why did you rate yourself that way? What makes a goal easy or hard to stick to?'

Step 2

Teach SMART Criteria with Exemplars (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Use the Goals That Stick Slides to introduce the SMART goal criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
    - Provide clear examples of non-SMART goals and then model how to transform them into SMART goals. (e.g., 'I want to get better at math' vs. 'I will improve my math test score by 10% on the next chapter test by studying for 20 minutes each day after school.')
    - Engage students in a quick 'thumbs up/thumbs down' activity for various goal examples: Is this a SMART goal?

Step 3

Students Draft Goal & Action Steps; Buddy Check (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goal Planner worksheet.
    - Guide students to draft one academic or attendance SMART goal using the criteria.
    - Have them brainstorm two specific action steps to achieve their goal.
    - Students will then pair up for an Accountability Buddy Setup activity to share their goal and action steps, providing feedback using the SMART criteria. Encourage constructive feedback.

Step 4

Set Calendar for Accountability Check-in (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Explain the importance of accountability and regular check-ins.
    - Instruct students to use their Weekly Goal Tracker to set a specific date and time for their first accountability check-in with their buddy.
    - Collect the Exit Ticket Next Action for a quick assessment of student understanding and next steps.
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Slide Deck

Goals That Stick!

How likely are you to achieve a goal you set for yourself? (1 = Not at all, 5 = Very likely)

Let's discuss: What makes a goal easy or hard to stick to?

Welcome students and introduce the concept of goal setting. Prompt them to reflect on their own goal-setting experiences.

What Makes a Goal "SMART"?

SMART is an acronym that helps us remember the key ingredients for setting effective goals.

Each letter stands for an important part of a well-defined goal.

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that SMART goals are a powerful tool for making dreams a reality. Briefly touch on why these criteria are important.

S is for Specific

Your goal should be clear and well-defined. It answers the questions:

  • Who is involved?
  • What do I want to accomplish?
  • When will this happen?
  • Where will this happen?
  • Why is this goal important to me?

Example: Instead of "I want to get better at reading," try "I will read for 20 minutes every night after dinner to improve my comprehension."

Explain 'Specific'. Give a clear example of a non-specific goal and then show how to make it specific. Encourage students to think about the 'who, what, when, where, why' questions.

M is for Measurable

You need to be able to track your progress and know when you've achieved your goal. It answers:

  • How much?
  • How many?
  • How will I know when it's accomplished?

Example: "I will read 2 chapter books this month" is measurable. "I will read more" is not.

Explain 'Measurable'. Emphasize the importance of tracking progress. How will students know if they've met their goal?

A is for Achievable

Is your goal realistic and attainable? While it should challenge you, it needs to be possible to achieve with effort.

  • Do I have the resources or skills to reach this goal?
  • Is it realistic for me to do this?

Example: "I will get an A on my next math test" is achievable with study. "I will fly to the moon tomorrow" is not.

Explain 'Achievable'. Discuss the balance between challenging oneself and setting realistic goals. It shouldn't be too easy, but not impossible either.

R is for Relevant

Your goal should matter to you and align with your larger academic or personal aspirations.

  • Is this goal worthwhile?
  • Does it align with what I want to achieve overall?

Example: A goal to improve attendance is relevant if you want to do well in school.

Explain 'Relevant'. Connect the goal back to their personal aspirations or academic success. Why does this goal matter to them?

T is for Time-bound

Your goal needs a clear deadline. This helps you stay focused and creates a sense of urgency.

  • When will I achieve this goal?
  • What is the target date?

Example: "I will complete my science project by Friday" has a clear deadline. "I will finish my project soon" does not.

Explain 'Time-bound'. Stress the importance of a deadline to create urgency and a target to work towards.

Your Turn: Set Your Own SMART Goal!

Now it's time to put what you've learned into action!

  1. Take out your SMART Goal Planner worksheet.
  2. Draft one academic or attendance SMART goal.
  3. Outline two specific action steps.

Transition to the activity. Explain that students will now apply what they've learned to set their own SMART goals using the worksheet.

Accountability Buddy Check!

You're not alone in this! Find a partner for an Accountability Buddy Setup.

  • Share your drafted SMART goal and action steps.
  • Provide feedback to your buddy using the SMART criteria. Is their goal Specific? Measurable? Achievable? Relevant? Time-bound?

Explain the buddy check-in process. Emphasize giving constructive feedback using the SMART criteria.

Stick With It: Accountability!

Setting a goal is just the first step. Sticking with it requires accountability!

  • Use your Weekly Goal Tracker to schedule your first check-in with your buddy.
  • Mark the date on your calendar!

Don't forget to complete your Exit Ticket Next Action!

Reinforce the importance of accountability. Guide students to use their tracker and set a date for their first check-in.

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Worksheet

SMART Goal Planner

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

My Goal Journey

Think about one academic or attendance area where you'd like to improve. This could be getting a better grade in a subject, improving your attendance, completing homework on time, etc.

Step 1: Brainstorm Your Goal Idea

What is one general goal you have for yourself right now? (Don't worry about it being SMART yet!)







Step 2: Make it SMART!

Let's refine your goal using the SMART criteria. Answer the questions below to make your goal super clear and achievable.

S - Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve? Who is involved? Where and when will it happen? Why is this important?







M - Measurable: How will I know when I have reached my goal? How will I track my progress? How much/many?







A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic given my resources and skills? Is it challenging but possible?







R - Relevant: Does this goal truly matter to me? Does it align with my other academic or personal aspirations?







T - Time-bound: What is my target date for achieving this goal? When will I start and when will I finish?







My Final SMART Goal:

Now, write your complete SMART goal in one clear sentence.







Step 3: Action Steps

What are two concrete steps you will take to achieve your SMART goal? Be specific!













Step 4: Accountability Buddy Check-in

Buddy's Name: ________________________

Share your SMART goal and action steps with your buddy. Your buddy will give you feedback using the SMART criteria. Based on their feedback, do you need to adjust anything?

  • Buddy Feedback:






  • My Adjustments (if any):






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Journal

My Weekly Goal Tracker Journal

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

My SMART Goal:

(Copy your SMART goal from your SMART Goal Planner here)







Week 1: Tracking My Progress

My Action Steps for This Week:







Daily Check-in (briefly describe what you did or observed related to your goal):

  • Monday:


  • Tuesday:


  • Wednesday:


  • Thursday:


  • Friday:


Weekly Reflection:

  • What progress did I make towards my SMART goal this week?






  • What challenges did I face, and how did I try to overcome them?






  • What will I do differently next week to stay on track?






  • How am I feeling about my goal right now?











Week 2: Tracking My Progress

My Action Steps for This Week:







Daily Check-in (briefly describe what you did or observed related to your goal):

  • Monday:


  • Tuesday:


  • Wednesday:


  • Thursday:


  • Friday:


Weekly Reflection:

  • What progress did I make towards my SMART goal this week?






  • What challenges did I face, and how did I try to overcome them?






  • What will I do differently next week to stay on track?






  • How am I feeling about my goal right now?











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Activity

Accountability Buddy Setup

Names: ____________________________ and ____________________________

The Power of a Buddy

Working with an accountability buddy can make a huge difference in sticking to your goals! You'll support each other, celebrate successes, and help each other when things get tough.

Step 1: Share Your SMART Goals

Take turns sharing your SMART Goal and your two action steps. Listen carefully to your buddy and be ready to offer constructive feedback.

  • My Buddy's SMART Goal:






  • My Buddy's Action Steps:







Step 2: Provide Constructive Feedback

Use the SMART criteria to give your buddy feedback. Is their goal:

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

Suggest one way they could make their goal even more SMART, or one idea for an action step.












Step 3: Set Up Your First Check-in

Decide when and how you will check in with each other to see how you're doing on your goals. This could be a quick chat before class, a message after school, or during a designated time.

  • Our First Check-in Date: ____________________________
  • Our First Check-in Time: ____________________________
  • How We Will Check-in (e.g., quick chat, message): ____________________________

Step 4: Sign Your Accountability Pact!

By signing below, you agree to support your buddy and hold each other accountable for your SMART goals.

Buddy 1 Signature: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Buddy 2 Signature: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

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Cool Down

Exit Ticket: My Next Action

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

  1. What is one specific action you will take before our next class to work towards your SMART goal?






  2. Who is your accountability buddy, and when is your first planned check-in?






  3. On a scale of 1-5 (1 = not confident, 5 = very confident), how confident are you that you can take your first action step? Explain your rating in one sentence.






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