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Goals: Your Future Starts Now!

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Lesson Plan

Goals: Your Future Starts Now!

Students will define personal and academic goals, understand the SMART goal framework, and apply this framework to create their own short-term and long-term goals.

Learning to set effective goals empowers students to take control of their future, increase motivation, and achieve success in various aspects of their lives, from academics to personal growth.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Through direct instruction, guided practice, and collaborative small group work.

Materials

Smart Goals Slide Deck, Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small!, Small Group Goal Brainstorming Activity, and Cool-Down: My Next Step Pledge

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small! (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small! handout to each student.
  • Instruct students to quickly jot down 1-2 things they want to achieve in the next year or by the end of high school.
  • Briefly discuss a few student responses (time permitting), emphasizing that everyone has aspirations.

Step 2

Introduction to Goal Setting (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present the initial slides of the Smart Goals Slide Deck to introduce the concept of goal setting and why it's important.
  • Facilitate a short discussion about challenges students might face when trying to achieve goals and how setting clear goals can help overcome these obstacles.

Step 3

Understanding SMART Goals (15 minutes)

15 minutes

  • Continue through the Smart Goals Slide Deck, focusing on each component of the SMART goal framework (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound).
  • Provide clear examples for each component, perhaps using a shared class goal or a common student goal (e.g.,

Step 4

Small Group Goal Brainstorming Activity

10 minutes

  • Divide students into small groups (3-4 students per group).
  • Distribute the Small Group Goal Brainstorming Activity worksheet.
  • Instruct groups to work together to apply the SMART framework to a sample goal OR to help each other refine their personal goals into SMART goals.
  • Circulate and provide support, prompting students with questions about each SMART component.

Step 5

Share Out and Discussion (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Bring the class back together.
  • Ask a few groups or individuals to share one SMART goal they developed or refined.
  • Briefly discuss the benefits of breaking down goals into smaller, manageable steps.

Step 6

Cool-Down: My Next Step Pledge (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Distribute the Cool-Down: My Next Step Pledge to each student.
  • Instruct students to independently write down one personal or academic SMART goal they want to work on and the very first step they will take towards it.
  • Collect the pledges as an exit ticket.
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Slide Deck

Goals: Your Future Starts Now!

What do you want to achieve? Why is it important?

Greet students and start with the warm-up activity. Explain that today's lesson is about setting goals.

Dream Big!

What are your hopes and dreams?

  • Academic goals?
  • Personal goals?
  • Future aspirations?

Introduce the idea that simply wanting something isn't enough; we need a plan. Ask students if they've ever struggled to achieve a goal and why.

Why Set Goals?

  • Focus: Helps you know where to put your energy.
  • Motivation: Gives you something to work towards.
  • Direction: Guides your decisions.
  • Achievement: Increases your chances of success!

Explain that goal setting is a powerful skill. Highlight the benefits: focus, motivation, direction, achievement.

Make Your Goals SMART!

It's not enough to just 'have' a goal. We need to make them SMART.

Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-bound

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that we'll break down how to make goals "SMART."

S is for Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve?

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

Vague: "I want to do better in math."
Specific: "I will improve my math grade from a C to a B by studying 30 minutes every night and attending tutoring once a week."

Explain 'Specific.' Provide examples of vague vs. specific goals. Ask students for an example of a specific academic goal.

M is for Measurable

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

  • Quantify your goal!
  • How much? How many?
  • How will I know when it is accomplished?

Not measurable: "I want to read more."
Measurable: "I will read one new book per month for the next three months."

Explain 'Measurable.' How will students know they've reached their goal? Emphasize tangible metrics.

A is for Achievable

Is your goal realistic and attainable?

  • Is it possible given your resources and time?
  • Is it challenging, but not impossible?

Not achievable: "I will learn to fly by next week."
Achievable: "I will learn to play three chords on the guitar by the end of the month."

Explain 'Achievable.' Discuss the difference between challenging and impossible. Goals should stretch them, but still be realistic.

R is for Relevant

Does this goal matter to you? Is it worthwhile?

  • Does it align with your values?
  • Does it fit into your larger plans?
  • Is it the right time for this goal?

Not relevant: "I will learn to juggle chainsaws because my friend dared me."
Relevant: "I will improve my public speaking skills to feel more confident presenting in class and future careers."

Explain 'Relevant.' Connect goals to their personal values, larger aspirations, or academic success. Why does this goal matter to them?

T is for Time-Bound

When do you want to achieve this goal?

  • Set a deadline!
  • When will I accomplish this?
  • What can I do today, this week, this month?

Not time-bound: "I want to go to college someday."
Time-bound: "I will submit my college applications by December 1st of my senior year."

Explain 'Time-bound.' The importance of a deadline to create urgency and a target. Discuss short-term vs. long-term goals.

Your Turn! Small Group Work

Now, let's practice making some SMART goals!

Work with your group to brainstorm and refine goals using the SMART framework.

Transition to the small group activity. Remind students they will be applying the SMART framework.

Goals: Your Journey Starts Now!

Remember, setting SMART goals is a powerful tool for success. It helps you:

  • Clarify your ideas
  • Focus your efforts
  • Use your time wisely
  • Increase your chances of achieving what you want!

What's YOUR next step?

Wrap up the lesson, reminding them that goal setting is a continuous process. Introduce the cool-down as their first step.

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Warm Up

Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small!

Take a few minutes to think about your future. What are some things you would like to achieve?

  1. In the next year: What is one thing you hope to accomplish academically or personally?





  2. By the end of high school: What is one big dream or goal you have for yourself?





Be ready to share one of your ideas with the class!

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Activity

Small Group Goal Brainstorming Activity

Work with your group to brainstorm and refine goals using the SMART framework. Choose one of the options below:

Option 1: Refine a Shared Goal

As a group, pick one general goal (e.g., "Get better grades," "Be more organized," "Learn a new skill"). Then, work together to make it SMART.

General Goal: _________________________________________________________________

  • S - Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? What, where, when, why?





  • M - Measurable: How will you know when you've reached it? How much? How many?





  • A - Achievable: Is it realistic and attainable given your resources? Is it challenging but possible?





  • R - Relevant: Does it matter to you? Is it worthwhile? Does it align with your values?





  • T - Time-bound: When do you want to achieve this goal? What's your deadline?





Option 2: Help a Teammate Make Their Goal SMART

Each person shares one goal they wrote down in the warm-up. As a group, pick one person's goal and help them apply the SMART framework. Use the questions above to guide your discussion.

Original Goal: _________________________________________________________________

SMART Goal (after group discussion):

  • Specific:





  • Measurable:





  • Achievable:





  • Relevant:





  • Time-bound:





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Cool Down

Cool-Down: My Next Step Pledge

Now that you know how to set SMART goals, it's time to take your first step!

  1. Write down ONE personal or academic SMART goal you want to start working on. Make sure it has all the SMART components we discussed!










  2. What is the very first, smallest step you will take towards achieving this goal? (Think about something you can do today or tomorrow!)





I pledge to ____________________________________________________________________

My first step will be ____________________________________________________________

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