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Growth Game Plan

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Candace Minor-Chism

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Game Plan Blueprint

Students will set one SMART academic or personal goal and outline two perseverance actions to achieve it.

This lesson is important because it equips students with the tools to effectively set and achieve meaningful goals, fostering a growth mindset and resilience.

Audience

7th & 8th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Direct instruction, guided practice, peer feedback, and reflection.

Materials

Level-Up Goals Slides, Coach’s Pep-Talk Script, SMART Goal Card, Goal Quality Check, Pens/Pencils, and Chart paper or whiteboard for gallery walk

Prep

Teacher Preparation

15 minutes

  • Review all generated materials, including the Level-Up Goals Slides, Coach’s Pep-Talk Script, SMART Goal Card, and Goal Quality Check.
  • Prepare chart paper or a designated section of the whiteboard for a gallery walk where students can post their goals.
  • Print one copy of the SMART Goal Card for each student.

Step 1

Warm-up & Hook: The Power of Perseverance

5 minutes

  • Begin the lesson by showing a short (1-2 minute) sports highlight video that demonstrates perseverance, resilience, or overcoming challenges (e.g., a comeback, an athlete pushing through a difficult moment).
  • Ask students: "What did you notice about the athletes in this video? What qualities did they show? How did they keep going when things were tough?" Lead a brief whole-class discussion, focusing on the concept of perseverance.

Step 2

Direct Instruction: Mastering SMART Goals

10 minutes

  • Use the Level-Up Goals Slides to guide a direct instruction segment.
  • Follow the Coach’s Pep-Talk Script to introduce and explain:
    • Growth Mindset: The belief that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.
    • SMART Goals: Explain each component (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) using examples.
    • Perseverance Actions: Discuss concrete steps students can take to overcome obstacles.

Step 3

Goal Setting & Drafting: Your Personal Game Plan

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goal Card to each student.
  • Instruct students to independently draft one academic or personal goal using the SMART criteria.
  • Guide them to brainstorm and write down at least two specific perseverance actions they will take if they face challenges in achieving their goal.
  • Circulate around the room to offer support, answer questions, and provide initial feedback.

Step 4

Peer Review & Refinement: Quality Check

5 minutes

  • Pair students up for a brief peer review session.
  • Provide each student with a copy of the Goal Quality Check.
  • Instruct students to use the Goal Quality Check rubric to review their partner's SMART Goal Card and provide constructive feedback on whether the goal is truly SMART and if the perseverance actions are clear and actionable.
  • Students should make quick revisions based on the feedback.

Step 5

Wrap-up & Commitment: Public Declaration (Optional)

Optional / Homework

  • If time allows, have students share their refined SMART goals with the class or a small group.
  • Alternatively, conduct a
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Slide Deck

Level Up Your Goals: The Growth Game Plan!

Ever wonder how athletes achieve greatness? It's not just talent – it's a "Growth Game Plan"! Today, we're building yours!

Welcome students. Introduce the idea of a "game plan" for personal and academic growth. Connect to sports or other relatable areas where effort leads to improvement.

What is a Growth Mindset?

Fixed Mindset: "I'm either good at it or I'm not."
Growth Mindset: "I can learn anything I want to."

Your brain is like a muscle – the more you use it, the stronger it gets!

Define fixed vs. growth mindset. Emphasize that challenges are opportunities to grow. Ask students for examples of growth mindset.

The Power of Perseverance

Perseverance: Never giving up, even when things get tough!

Think of a time you kept trying, even if you failed at first. What did you learn?

Discuss perseverance. Share a brief personal anecdote or a famous example. Prompt students to think about their own experiences.

S.M.A.R.T. Goals: Your Game Plan!

Let's make your goals super clear and achievable!

Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that we'll break down each part.

S - Specific

Bad Goal: "I want to do better in school."
SMART "S": "I want to improve my math grade to a B+."

Ask: What exactly do I want to achieve?

Explain "Specific." Provide more examples.

M - Measurable

Bad Goal: "I want to read more."
SMART "M": "I will read two chapters of a new book each week."

Ask: How will I know when I've reached my goal?

Explain "Measurable." How can we track progress?

A - Achievable

Bad Goal: "I want to become a professional athlete next month."
SMART "A": "I will practice my basketball skills for 30 minutes every day."

Ask: Is this goal realistic given my resources and time?

Explain "Achievable." Emphasize challenging but not impossible goals.

R - Relevant

Bad Goal: "I want to learn ancient Greek (when I hate languages)."
SMART "R": "I want to improve my public speaking skills to feel more confident in class presentations."

Ask: Is this goal important to me? Does it align with my values?

Explain "Relevant." Connect goals to personal interests and values.

T - Time-bound

Bad Goal: "I want to save money."
SMART "T": "I will save $50 by the end of this month."

Ask: When will I achieve this goal? What's my deadline?

Explain "Time-bound." The importance of a deadline.

Your Turn! Create Your SMART Goal

Now it's your chance to put what we've learned into action. Use your SMART Goal Card to create a goal that is:

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

Transition to independent work on the SMART Goal Card. Remind students to think about both academic and personal goals.

What's Your Perseverance Plan?

Goals can be tough! What will you do when things get challenging?

Think of at least two actions you will take to persevere and keep working towards your goal.

Emphasize that obstacles are normal and planning for them is key to perseverance. Encourage students to think of real challenges.

Peer Power: Reviewing Goals

You're not alone! Let's help each other out.

  • Use the Goal Quality Check to review your partner's SMART Goal Card.
  • Give honest, kind, and helpful feedback.
  • Make quick revisions based on the feedback.

Explain the peer review process with the rubric. Stress the importance of constructive feedback.

Commitment & Celebration!

You've created your "Growth Game Plan"! What's next?

  • Share your goal (if you feel comfortable!).
  • Put your goal somewhere you'll see it daily.
  • Start working on your perseverance actions today!

Conclude by emphasizing the importance of setting goals and sticking with them. Encourage students to display their goals and revisit them.

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Script

Coach’s Pep-Talk Script

Introduction: The Champion's Mindset (Warm-up)

Teacher: "Alright team, listen up! Before we dive into today's game plan, I want you to imagine something. Think about your favorite athlete, musician, or even a character in a movie who achieved something amazing. How did they do it? Was it pure talent, or something more?"




Teacher: "(After a few responses) Exactly! A lot of the time, it's about pushing through, not giving up, even when things get tough. That's what we call perseverance, and it's a huge part of what we're talking about today. We're going to watch a quick highlight reel that shows us exactly what that looks like. Pay close attention to how these athletes react when faced with challenges."

(Play the short sports highlight video as planned in the lesson plan.)

Teacher: "Wow! What did you notice there? How did those athletes demonstrate perseverance? What kind of mindset do you think they had to keep going?"




Main Huddle: Understanding Growth & SMART Goals (Direct Instruction)

Teacher: "Fantastic observations, everyone! That brings us perfectly to our first key concept: the Growth Mindset. (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 2: What is a Growth Mindset?)"

Teacher: "Look at these two mindsets: Fixed and Growth. A Fixed Mindset is like saying, 'I'm just not good at math,' or 'I can't draw.' It's believing your abilities are set in stone. But a Growth Mindset is different. It says, 'I might not be good at math yet, but I can learn!' or 'I can improve my drawing skills with practice!' Which one sounds more powerful for reaching your goals?"




Teacher: "Think of your brain like a muscle. The more you challenge it, the more you learn, the stronger it gets! (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 3: The Power of Perseverance)"

Teacher: "And that leads us to perseverance. This isn't just a fancy word; it's a superpower! Perseverance means sticking with something, pushing through difficulties, and never giving up on your goals, even when you make mistakes or face setbacks. Can anyone share a time they persevered through something tough, big or small? What happened?"




Teacher: "In sports, in school, in life – perseverance is key. But to persevere, you need a clear target. That's where SMART Goals come in! (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 4: S.M.A.R.T. Goals: Your Game Plan!)"

Teacher: "SMART is an acronym, and each letter helps us make our goals crystal clear and super effective. Let's break it down."

S - Specific (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 5: S - Specific)

Teacher: "First, 'S' stands for Specific. A specific goal answers the 'who, what, when, where, why' questions. Instead of saying, 'I want to do better in school,' a specific goal is, 'I want to improve my math grade to a B+.' See the difference? It's clear what you're aiming for."

M - Measurable (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 6: M - Measurable)

Teacher: "Next, 'M' is for Measurable. How will you know if you're making progress or if you've achieved your goal? If your goal is 'read more,' how do you measure 'more'? A measurable goal would be, 'I will read two chapters of a new book each week.' You can count that!"

A - Achievable (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 7: A - Achievable)

Teacher: "Then, 'A' is for Achievable. Is your goal realistic? Is it something you can actually accomplish with effort? Dreaming big is great, but your goal should be challenging but not impossible. 'I will practice my basketball skills for 30 minutes every day' is achievable, unlike becoming a pro athlete overnight."

R - Relevant (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 8: R - Relevant)

Teacher: "'R' stands for Relevant. Does this goal matter to you? Does it align with what you want to achieve in your life or school? If you want to improve your confidence in presentations, then 'improving public speaking skills' is a relevant goal. If it's not relevant, you'll lose motivation quickly."

T - Time-bound (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 9: T - Time-bound)

Teacher: "Finally, 'T' is for Time-bound. Every good goal needs a deadline. When will you achieve this goal? 'I will save $50 by the end of this month' has a clear end date. Without a deadline, it's easy to keep putting it off."

Your Turn: Building Your Game Plan (Goal Setting & Drafting)

Teacher: "Alright, champions! Now it's your turn to apply what we've learned. You're going to create your own 'Growth Game Plan.' (Distribute SMART Goal Card. Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 10: Your Turn! Create Your SMART Goal)"

Teacher: "On your SMART Goal Card, I want you to draft one academic or personal goal that is Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Take your time, think about what truly matters to you. It could be about grades, a new skill, a personal habit, anything you want to improve."

(Allow students time to work. Circulate and provide individual support.)

Teacher: "Remember, even the best plans hit roadblocks. So, on the same card, I want you to outline at least two specific perseverance actions you will take if you face challenges. What will you do when it gets tough? How will you keep going? (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 11: What's Your Perseverance Plan?)"

Team Huddle: Peer Review (Peer Review & Refinement)

Teacher: "Excellent work! Now, just like athletes review game footage, we're going to do a peer review. Find a partner. (Distribute Goal Quality Check. Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 12: Peer Power: Reviewing Goals)"

Teacher: "You'll use this Goal Quality Check to review your partner's SMART Goal Card. Be honest, but be kind and helpful. Your job is to make sure their goal is truly SMART and that their perseverance actions are clear. Then, give each other a few minutes to make any quick revisions based on the feedback."

Victory Lap: Commitment & Next Steps (Wrap-up & Commitment)

Teacher: "Alright, team! You've officially created your 'Growth Game Plan'! (Transition to Level-Up Goals Slides - Slide 13: Commitment & Celebration!)"

Teacher: "If you're comfortable, I'd love for a few of you to share your SMART goal with the class or with your small group. (Allow a few volunteers to share).

Teacher: "For an exit ticket or as homework tonight, I want you to think about this: What is one small step you can take today or tomorrow to start working on your goal? And where will you put your SMART Goal Card so you see it every day and are reminded of your commitment? Remember, every champion started with a plan, and now you have yours. Go out there and make it happen!"

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Worksheet

My Growth Game Plan: SMART Goal Card

Name: ____________________________

Date: ____________________________

My SMART Goal

Think about one academic or personal goal you want to achieve. Make sure it's Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

S - Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve? (Be clear and detailed!)












M - Measurable: How will I know when I've reached my goal? How will I track my progress?












A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic for me right now? Do I have the resources/skills, or can I get them?












R - Relevant: Is this goal important to me? Does it align with my values or what I want for myself?












T - Time-bound: When will I achieve this goal? What is my deadline?












My Perseverance Playbook (Actions for Success!)

Goals can be tough! What will you do when things get challenging or you feel like giving up? Outline at least two specific actions you will take to persevere.

Perseverance Action 1:












Perseverance Action 2:












Coach's Feedback (Peer Review)

Reviewer's Name: ____________________________

  • Is the goal Specific? Yes / Needs more detail (If no, explain:)



  • Is the goal Measurable? Yes / Needs clearer tracking (If no, explain:)



  • Is the goal Achievable? Yes / Might be too easy/hard (If no, explain:)



  • Is the goal Relevant? Yes / Not clear why it matters (If no, explain:)



  • Is the goal Time-bound? Yes / Missing a deadline (If no, explain:)



  • Are the Perseverance Actions clear and helpful? Yes / Could be more specific (If no, explain:)



Overall Feedback/Suggestions:






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Rubric

Goal Quality Check Rubric

Student Name: ____________________________

Reviewer Name: ____________________________

Use this rubric to evaluate the SMART Goal and Perseverance Actions on the SMART Goal Card. Circle the score that best describes the goal.

SMART Goal Assessment

Criteria2 - Exemplary1 - Developing0 - Needs Work
SpecificThe goal clearly states what will be achieved, who is involved, and why it matters, with precise detail.The goal mentions what will be achieved but lacks some detail on who or why.The goal is vague and does not clearly state what will be achieved.
MeasurableThe goal includes clear, quantifiable indicators to track progress and determine completion.The goal has some indication of measurement, but it could be more precise or trackable.There is no clear way to measure progress or know if the goal has been met.
AchievableThe goal is challenging but realistic, demonstrating careful consideration of abilities and resources.The goal is somewhat realistic but might be too easy, too difficult, or requires more resources than available.The goal is unrealistic or impossible to achieve given the current circumstances.
RelevantThe goal is highly meaningful and directly aligned with the student's personal values, academic needs, or aspirations.The goal has some relevance, but its importance to the student or connection to their larger objectives is unclear.The goal appears irrelevant to the student's personal growth, academic progress, or aspirations.
Time-boundA clear and realistic deadline is set for the goal, creating a sense of urgency and focus.A deadline is mentioned, but it may be vague, too long, or too short to be effective.No deadline or timeframe is specified for achieving the goal.

Perseverance Actions Assessment

Criteria2 - Exemplary1 - Developing0 - Needs Work
Clarity & ActionabilityTwo or more specific, proactive, and practical actions are outlined to overcome anticipated challenges.One to two actions are outlined, but they may lack specificity or be difficult to implement.No clear actions are provided, or the actions are too general to be helpful.
Relevance to ChallengesThe perseverance actions directly address potential obstacles related to the specific goal.The actions are somewhat relevant but may not directly address the most likely challenges.The actions are unrelated to the goal or do not show an understanding of potential challenges.

Overall Feedback & Suggestions

Strengths of the Goal:





Areas for Improvement (with suggestions):





Final Score: _______ / 14

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