lenny

Kickstart Your Year

user image

Lesson Plan

Kickstart Your Year Lesson Plan

Guide each student to reflect on their strengths and challenges, then set 1–2 therapeutic and social-emotional goals for the school year through checklist and short-answer prompts.

This one-on-one check-in builds self-awareness, empowers students to own their personal growth, and fosters resilience as they transition back to school.

Audience

High School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection with a structured worksheet.

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Warm-Up

5 minutes

  • Greet the student in a private, comfortable setting
  • Explain the session’s purpose: supporting their well-being and goal setting
  • Emphasize confidentiality and that this is a supportive, non-judgmental space

Step 2

Complete the Checklist

10 minutes

  • Hand the student the Welcome Back Goals Worksheet
  • Ask them to identify areas of strength, areas they find challenging, and supports they need
  • Encourage honesty and reflection; prompt if they get stuck

Step 3

Set Therapeutic Goals

7 minutes

  • In the worksheet’s short-answer section, have the student write 1–2 therapeutic goals (e.g., managing stress, using coping strategies)
  • Guide them to make goals specific and measurable (e.g., “Practice deep breathing three times a week”)

Step 4

Set Social-Emotional Goals

5 minutes

  • Prompt the student to articulate 1–2 social-emotional goals (e.g., building friendships, improving communication)
  • Encourage clarity and actionable steps (e.g., “Join one club to meet new peers”)

Step 5

Review & Next Steps

3 minutes

  • Summarize the goals back to the student and clarify any questions
  • Encourage them to keep the worksheet where they can revisit it
  • Discuss scheduling a brief follow-up to monitor progress
lenny

Worksheet

Welcome Back Goals Worksheet

Student Name: ____________________________ Date: _______________

Instructions: Use this worksheet to reflect on your strengths and challenges as you return to school, and to set 1–2 therapeutic goals and 1–2 social-emotional goals for the year. Be honest, specific, and measurable.

1. Self-Assessment Checklist

1.1 Select your areas of strength (check all that apply):

  • Academics
  • Organization
  • Relationships with classmates
  • Relationships with teachers/staff
  • Emotional well-being (e.g., managing stress)
  • Physical health (e.g., sleep, exercise)


    Example: I excel at keeping track of assignments using my planner and setting aside time each day to review notes.

1.2 Select areas you find challenging (check all that apply):

  • Academics
  • Organization
  • Relationships with classmates
  • Relationships with teachers/staff
  • Emotional well-being (e.g., stress, anxiety)
  • Physical health (e.g., fatigue)


    Example: I sometimes forget to bring materials to class, which makes me feel unprepared.

1.3 What supports or resources would help you in the areas you find challenging?

Example: Weekly check-ins with my counselor, setting reminders on my phone, or using a study group for accountability.










2. Tips for Effective Goal Setting

  • Be Specific: Clearly define what you want to achieve (e.g., “complete 5 pages of reading nightly”).
  • Make It Measurable: Include numbers or milestones to track progress (e.g., “practice deep breathing 3 times a week”).
  • Set Achievable Goals: Choose realistic steps you can commit to given your schedule and resources.
  • Ensure Relevance: Align goals with your personal values and what matters most to you.
  • Time-Bound: Assign a deadline or timeframe to stay focused (e.g., “by the end of each month”).
  • Review & Adjust: Check in on your goals regularly and modify them if needed.


3. Therapeutic Goals

Write 1–2 therapeutic goals for the school year. Refer to the tips above to make them specific and measurable (e.g., “Practice deep breathing three times a week when I feel overwhelmed to reduce my anxiety”).

Goal 1:






Goal 2:






4. Social-Emotional Goals

Write 1–2 social-emotional goals for the school year. Use the tips above to make them clear and actionable (e.g., “Join the school art club and introduce myself to two new classmates by the end of the month”).

Goal 1:






Goal 2:






5. Home Support

5.1 Who will you share one of your goals with at home?





5.2 What feedback or encouragement did they offer?






5.3 How will they help you stay on track (e.g., reminders, check-ins)?






5.4 How do you need support at home to reach your goals?






5.5 Do you have any concerns at home you’d like to share?





Keep this worksheet somewhere you can revisit it. We’ll review your progress and next steps in our follow-up session.

lenny
lenny