Lesson Plan
Growth Game Plan
Students will set one SMART academic or personal goal and outline two perseverance actions to achieve it.
This lesson helps students develop essential life skills in goal setting and resilience, crucial for academic success and personal development.
Audience
7th & 8th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Through video, direct instruction, and hands-on activities.
Materials
Sports Highlight Video (teacher-selected, ~2-3 minutes, showcasing perseverance), Level-Up Goals Slides, Coach’s Pep-Talk Script, SMART Goal Card, Goal Quality Check Rubric, Markers or pens, and Tape or sticky tack for gallery walk
Prep
Teacher Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Growth Game Plan Lesson Plan and all generated materials.
- Select a 2-3 minute sports highlight video demonstrating perseverance (e.g., comeback, overcoming challenges).
- Ensure projector/screen and sound are working for the video and slides.
- Print one copy of the SMART Goal Card for each student.
- Prepare an area in the classroom for a gallery walk where students can post their completed goal cards.
- Have markers or pens available for students.
Step 1
Ignite the Fire: Perseverance in Action
5 minutes
- Hook: Begin by playing a 2-3 minute sports highlight video that vividly demonstrates perseverance. (e.g., a team coming back from a deficit, an athlete overcoming an injury, a difficult training montage).
- Discussion (using Coach’s Pep-Talk Script): After the video, facilitate a brief discussion using prompts like: "What did you notice about the athletes in this video? How did they show perseverance? What does perseverance mean to you?" Introduce the concept of a 'growth mindset' briefly, emphasizing that challenges help us grow.
Step 2
Mastering Your Mission: SMART Goals
10 minutes
- Direct Instruction (using Level-Up Goals Slides and Coach’s Pep-Talk Script): Transition to direct instruction on SMART goals. Use the slides to explain each component: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound. Provide clear examples for each letter, both academic and personal.
- Guided Practice: As a class, brainstorm one example of a SMART goal together to ensure understanding. Emphasize that a good goal isn't just a wish, but a plan.
Step 3
Crafting Your Climb: My SMART Goal Card
10 minutes
- Individual Work: Distribute the SMART Goal Card worksheet to each student. Instruct them to set one academic or personal SMART goal and outline two specific actions they will take to persevere when challenges arise.
- Peer Review: Once students have drafted their goals, have them partner up and use the Goal Quality Check Rubric to provide constructive feedback on each other's SMART goals. Encourage them to ensure all SMART criteria are met and perseverance actions are concrete.
Step 4
Victory Lap: Gallery Walk
3 minutes
- Share & Inspire: Have students post their completed SMART Goal Cards around the classroom in a designated area for a quick gallery walk. Encourage students to read a few of their classmates' goals and perseverance actions quietly. This builds a sense of community and shared commitment.
Step 5
The Final Play: Commitment & Cool Down
2 minutes
- Cool Down/Exit Ticket: As students return to their seats, ask each student to verbally share one thing they learned about goal setting or perseverance, or to state their goal out loud to a partner. Optionally, collect the SMART Goal Cards as an exit ticket. Reinforce the idea that setting goals and persevering are powerful tools for their future.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Your Growth Game Plan!
Today, we're going to talk about how to achieve big things and become even stronger!
Welcome students and prepare them for an engaging lesson on setting goals and building resilience. Start with the sports video as planned in the lesson plan.
What Does It Take to Win?
Observe the athletes.
What do you notice?
How do they show perseverance?
What does perseverance mean to you?
Play the chosen 2-3 minute sports highlight video showcasing perseverance. After the video, facilitate a brief discussion using the prompts from the Coach’s Pep-Talk Script. Introduce the idea that challenges help us grow.
Your Winning Strategy: SMART Goals
A SMART goal is a powerful tool to help you achieve what you want. Each letter stands for something important!
Introduce the concept of SMART goals. Explain that these are not just wishes, but well-thought-out plans. Emphasize that having a plan makes success much more likely. You can reference the Coach’s Pep-Talk Script for detailed talking points.
S is for Specific
Your goal should be clear and well-defined, not vague.
- Vague: "I want to get better grades."
- Specific: "I want to improve my math grade from a C to a B by studying 30 minutes every day."
Explain 'Specific' with clear examples. What exactly do you want to achieve? Why is it important? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Which resources or limits are involved?
M is for Measurable
You need a way to track your progress and know when you've reached your goal.
- Not Measurable: "I want to be a better reader."
- Measurable: "I want to read 10 new books by the end of the semester."
Explain 'Measurable'. How will you track your progress? How will you know when you've reached your goal? What evidence will show you're making progress?
A is for Achievable
Your goal should be challenging, but still possible for you to achieve.
- Not Achievable: "I want to learn to fly by next week."
- Achievable: "I want to learn 10 new Spanish words each week."
Explain 'Achievable'. Is the goal realistic given your resources and time? Is it challenging but not impossible?
R is for Relevant
Your goal should be important and meaningful to you.
- Not Relevant: "I want to master advanced calculus (when you're in 7th grade).
- Relevant: "I want to improve my essay writing skills to feel more confident in English class."
Explain 'Relevant'. Does this goal matter to you? Does it align with your values or other objectives? Is it the right time for this goal?
T is for Time-Bound
Your goal needs a clear deadline.
- Not Time-Bound: "I want to finish my science project."
- Time-Bound: "I want to complete my science project by Friday, October 27th."
Explain 'Time-bound'. What is your deadline? When do you want to achieve this goal? Having a target date creates urgency.
Putting it all together!
Now it's your turn to create a powerful SMART goal.
Think about:
- An academic goal (like a grade in a subject)
- A personal goal (like learning a new skill or improving a habit)
And don't forget: How will you persevere when things get tough?
Review all SMART criteria and prepare students for the individual activity. Remind them to think about perseverance actions as well.
Teamwork Makes the Dream Work!
You'll be working with a partner to review each other's goals using the Goal Quality Check Rubric.
Give helpful feedback to make each other's goals even stronger!
Explain the peer review process with the rubric. Circulate and assist students as they work on their SMART Goal Cards and review each other's work.
Showcase Your Success!
Time to share your awesome goals!
Post your SMART Goal Card and take a look at what your classmates are aiming for.
Guide students through the gallery walk, ensuring they have their completed SMART Goal Cards. Emphasize quiet reflection and appreciation for classmates' efforts.
Game Plan Complete!
What's one thing you learned today about goals or perseverance?
Keep growing, keep striving, and keep persevering!
Lead the cool-down activity as an exit ticket, reinforcing the importance of goal setting and perseverance. Collect the goal cards if desired.