Lesson Plan
Inner Compass Overview
Guide 9th graders to set personalized mental health goals and begin tracking progress through reflective journaling and self-monitoring tools.
Establishing clear mental health objectives and monitoring fosters self-awareness, resilience, and empowers students to manage stress and emotional well-being proactively.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
20 Minutes
Approach
Personalized prompts and self-assessment tools.
Materials
Prep
Teacher Preparation
5 Minutes
- Review Mental Health Goal Journal
- Review Self-Monitoring Rubric
- Review Reflection Exit Ticket
- Set up a private, comfortable space for one-on-one counseling
Step 1
Introduction
2 Minutes
- Greet the student and explain the session’s purpose: setting mental health goals.
- Outline the session flow: journaling, rubric review, and exit reflection.
- Emphasize confidentiality and create a safe space.
Step 2
Goal-Setting Journaling
8 Minutes
- Provide the Mental Health Goal Journal.
- Guide the student through prompts: identify an area for growth and draft a SMART goal.
- Encourage specificity, positive framing, and personal relevance.
Step 3
Self-Monitoring Rubric Review
5 Minutes
- Present the Self-Monitoring Rubric.
- Explain each criterion: tracking frequency, emotion logs, barriers, and successes.
- Collaborate to decide how and when the student will record progress.
Step 4
Reflection Exit Ticket & Wrap-Up
5 Minutes
- Distribute the Reflection Exit Ticket.
- Ask the student to note one insight from today and one action step for the week.
- Confirm follow-up plan and encourage ongoing journaling and rubric use.
use Lenny to create lessons.
No credit card needed
Journal
Mental Health Goal Journal
Use this journal to set a clear, actionable mental health goal and track your progress each week. Answer each prompt thoughtfully and use the space provided to write in your own words.
1. Focus Area
What area of your mental or emotional well-being would you like to improve or strengthen? Why is this important to you?
2. Reflect on Your Current State
Describe how you currently feel or behave in this area. What thoughts, emotions, or habits do you notice?
3. Draft Your SMART Goal
Use the SMART criteria to create a clear goal. Write one sentence for each element.
• Specific: What exactly will you do?
• Measurable: How will you know you’re making progress?
• Achievable: What steps or skills will make this goal realistic?
• Relevant: How does this goal connect to your overall well-being?
• Time-Bound: When will you start, and by what date will you achieve this goal?
My SMART Goal (all together):
4. Identify Barriers & Strategies
What challenges might get in your way? For each barrier, list one strategy to help you overcome it.
Barrier 1: ___________________________________________
Strategy: ___________________________________________
Barrier 2: ___________________________________________
Strategy: ___________________________________________
Barrier 3: ___________________________________________
Strategy: ___________________________________________
5. Indicators of Progress
What will you notice when you’re making progress? List at least three signs or milestones.
1. ___________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________
6. Weekly Check-In
Use this section each week to reflect on your efforts, notice changes, and plan next steps.
Check-In Week of: ____________________
• Progress toward goal:
• How I feel today (emotions or mood):
• On a scale of 1–10, my overall well-being this week: _____
• Notes or insights:
(Duplicate the Weekly Check-In section on the next page for as many weeks as you need.)
Rubric
Self-Monitoring Rubric
Use this rubric to evaluate your weekly journal entries and self-monitoring efforts in the Mental Health Goal Journal. Score each criterion from 1–4 and total your points at the bottom.
| Criteria | 4 – Exemplary | 3 – Proficient | 2 – Developing | 1 – Beginning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tracking Frequency | Logs progress daily or as planned without reminders. | Logs progress 4–5 times per week. | Logs progress 2–3 times per week. | Logs progress once or not at all. |
| Detail & Depth of Logs | Entries are thorough, with rich descriptions of thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. | Entries have good detail, but may miss minor insights. | Entries are basic, providing facts but little elaboration. | Entries are minimal, lacking clear information. |
| Reflection Quality | Demonstrates insightful reflection, connecting feelings, barriers, strategies, and progress. | Shows solid reflection, making some links between experiences and actions. | Reflection is surface-level, with limited connections. | Little to no reflection or connections to goal. |
| Barrier Identification & Strategy Use | Identifies multiple barriers and consistently applies effective strategies to overcome them. | Identifies barriers and regularly applies strategies. | Identifies a few barriers but applies strategies inconsistently. | Does not identify barriers or plan strategies. |
| Progress Indicators & Next Action Steps | Clearly defines measurable indicators of progress and plans concrete next steps each week. | Defines indicators and plans next steps most weeks. | Indicators or action steps are vague or irregular. | No clear indicators or next steps are provided. |
Total Score: ____ / 20
Scoring Guide: 4 = Exemplary, 3 = Proficient, 2 = Developing, 1 = Beginning
Use your total score to celebrate strengths and identify areas for growth in your self-monitoring practice.
Cool Down
Reflection Exit Ticket
1. One insight I gained today:
2. One action step I will take this week:
Thank you for reflecting!