Mission: Goal Getters

Gianna Akerberg

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Getting Set

Students will understand why setting goals matters and brainstorm personal goals, then organize one goal using a visual mapping tool.

Clarifying goals boosts motivation and gives students a clear roadmap for success as they wrap up the school year. This lesson builds self-awareness and goal-setting confidence.

Audience

7th Grade, Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive brainstorming and goal mapping

Materials

Printed copies of Goal Brainstorm Worksheet, Printed copies of Goal Mapping Graphic Organizer, Sticky Notes, Markers, and Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room

10 minutes

Print enough copies of the Goal Brainstorm Worksheet and Goal Mapping Graphic Organizer for each student.
Post a large sheet of chart paper and supply markers for group discussion.
Arrange seating in small clusters to facilitate pair and group work.
Review the worksheets to familiarize yourself with prompts and examples.

Step 1

Welcome and Goal Importance

5 minutes

Greet students and introduce today’s focus: why goals matter.
Ask: “What’s a goal you’ve accomplished this year?”
Highlight how clear goals guide effort and build confidence.
Refer to chart paper to list student ideas about benefits of goal setting.

Step 2

Individual Goal Brainstorm

8 minutes

Distribute the Goal Brainstorm Worksheet.
Invite students to write at least three goals they care about (academic, personal, or social).
Encourage variety: short-term (this week) and long-term (this semester).
Circulate and prompt deeper thinking: “Why is this goal important to you?”

Step 3

Pair Share

5 minutes

Ask students to pair up and share one goal from their worksheet.
Partners ask clarifying questions: “What will achieving this goal look like?”
Each student writes one new insight about their partner’s goal on a sticky note.

Step 4

Goal Mapping

8 minutes

Distribute the Goal Mapping Graphic Organizer.
Students choose their top goal and map it:
- Define the goal clearly.
- List two concrete steps to get started.
- Identify one potential obstacle and a coping strategy.
Remind them to refer to their sticky notes for partner feedback.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

4 minutes

Invite a few volunteers to share their goal maps.
Reinforce how mapping steps and anticipating challenges makes goals feel doable.
Collect worksheets or have students keep them for next session.
Preview next week: turning these maps into SMART goals.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Worksheet

Goal Brainstorm

Instructions:
Think of goals in different areas of your life (academic, personal, social) that matter to you. Write down at least three goals. Aim for variety: include both short-term and long-term goals.

Goal 1

What is your goal?
Why is this goal important to you?
Check one: [ ] Short-term (this week) [ ] Long-term (this semester)

Goal 2

What is your goal?
Why is this goal important to you?
Check one: [ ] Short-term (this week) [ ] Long-term (this semester)

Goal 3

What is your goal?
Why is this goal important to you?
Check one: [ ] Short-term (this week) [ ] Long-term (this semester)

My Top Goal

Circle one: Goal 1 Goal 2 Goal 3

Why is this your top goal?

Worksheet

Goal Mapping Organizer

Instructions: Use this organizer to break your top goal into clear steps, anticipate challenges, and plan how you’ll stay on track.

My Top Goal

What is the exact goal you want to focus on?

Why This Matters

Explain why this goal is important to you and how it will make a difference.

Action Steps

List three concrete steps you will take to work toward your goal.

Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:

Potential Obstacle

What might get in your way as you work on this goal?

Coping Strategy

How will you handle this obstacle if it happens?

Measuring Success

How will you know you’re making progress or when you’ve achieved your goal?

Check-In Plan

When will you review your progress? (Date or reminder method)

Take this organizer with you and revisit it regularly. Adjust steps and strategies as needed to stay on track toward your goal!

Slide Deck

Session 1: Getting Set with Goals

Today’s Agenda:

Why goals matter
Individual goal brainstorming
Pair share insights
Goal mapping activity
Wrap-up & reflection

Greet students and introduce the Mission: Goal Getters program. Explain that today’s focus is understanding why goals matter and brainstorming personal goals. Outline the agenda: why goals matter, brainstorming, pair sharing, mapping, and reflection.

Why Goals Matter

Benefits of Setting Goals:

Gives you clear direction
Boosts motivation and focus
Builds confidence as you see progress
Helps you track and celebrate success

Ask: “What’s a goal you’ve accomplished this year?” Record answers on chart paper. Highlight each benefit as you add it to the slide. Emphasize that clear goals guide effort and build confidence.

Individual Goal Brainstorm

Take out your Goal Brainstorm Worksheet.
Write down three goals you care about (academic, personal, social).
Include a mix of short-term (this week) and long-term (this semester).
Reflect: Why does each goal matter to you?

Distribute the Goal Brainstorm Worksheet. Explain each section: writing three goals across different areas of life, mixing short-term and long-term. Circulate to prompt deeper thinking: “Why is this important to you?”

Pair Share

Find a partner.
Share one goal from your worksheet.
Partner asks: “What will success look like?”
Jot one new insight about your partner’s goal on a sticky note.

Ask students to pair up. Model a brief share if needed: Student A states goal; Student B asks, “What will achieving this look like?” Remind them to write one insight on a sticky note.

Goal Mapping Activity

Choose your top goal.
Complete the organizer:
- Define your goal clearly
- List 2 concrete action steps
- Predict one obstacle and a coping plan
Keep this organizer for future sessions.

Distribute the Goal Mapping Organizer. Walk through each section: defining the goal, listing concrete steps, identifying a potential obstacle and coping strategy. Encourage use of sticky-note insights.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• Volunteers share key steps and strategies
• Discuss: How did mapping help you feel more prepared?
• Keep or collect your worksheets for next time
• Next week: Transform goals into SMART goals

Invite a few volunteers to share their completed maps. Reinforce how breaking down goals and planning for challenges makes success more likely. Collect or have students file their worksheets. Preview next session: turning these ideas into SMART goals.

Lesson Plan

Making It SMART

Students will learn the SMART criteria and apply it to transform their drafted goals into Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound statements.

Turning vague goals into SMART goals increases clarity and commitment, boosting students’ confidence and likelihood of success as they wrap up the school year.

Audience

7th Grade, Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Mini-lesson, group sorting, pair practice, individual work

Materials

Session 2 Slides, Printed copies of SMART Goal Examples Handout, Printed copies of SMART Goal Conversion Worksheet, Sticky Notes, Markers, and Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room

10 minutes

Print enough copies of the SMART Goal Examples Handout and SMART Goal Conversion Worksheet for each student.
Queue up the Session 2 Slides on your display device.
Post a sheet of chart paper and provide markers and sticky notes for group work.
Review the examples handout to decide which sample statements to highlight.

Step 1

Welcome and Recap

3 minutes

Greet students and briefly revisit last week’s goal-mapping activity.
Ask: “Who tried out the steps we planned last time? What happened?”
Explain today’s focus: making those goals SMART.

Step 2

Introducing SMART Criteria

7 minutes

Display the SMART acronym on the Session 2 Slides.
Define each letter with one example:
• Specific: clear and detailed
• Measurable: trackable progress
• Achievable: realistic given your resources
• Relevant: meaningful to your priorities
• Time-bound: has a deadline
Invite quick student examples for each component.

Step 3

Group SMART Sorting Activity

8 minutes

Distribute the SMART Goal Examples Handout.
In small groups, review sample goal statements and decide which part of SMART each illustrates—or if it needs improvement.
Groups post one example under each SMART category on chart paper.
Debrief: discuss why some statements need rewriting.

Step 4

Pair SMART Conversion

7 minutes

Give each pair a SMART Goal Conversion Worksheet.
Ask pairs to choose one goal from their mapping organizer and rewrite it into a SMART statement.
Circulate, prompting: “How will you measure this?” “When will you complete it by?”

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Reflection

5 minutes

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share their SMART goals.
Reinforce how clarity and deadlines make goals feel doable.
Collect worksheets or have students file them for Session 3.
Preview next week: creating action plans and setting check-in reminders.

Slide Deck

Session 2: Making It SMART

Today’s Agenda:

Welcome & recap of goal mapping
Introducing SMART criteria
Group SMART sorting activity
Pair SMART conversion practice
Wrap-up & reflection

Greet students and welcome them back. Briefly recap last week’s goal-mapping activity and set up today’s focus: making goals SMART.

Welcome & Recap

• Share one step you tried from your goal map
• What worked well?
• What obstacle did you encounter?
• Today’s focus: turning these maps into SMART goals

Ask: “Who used their goal map this week? What helped or got in the way?” Jot key points on chart paper to connect past work with today’s lesson.

Introducing SMART Criteria

Specific: clear and detailed goal statement
Measurable: trackable indicators of progress
Achievable: realistic given time and resources
Relevant: meaningful to your priorities
Time-bound: has a deadline or timeframe

Display the acronym SMART. Define each element clearly, give a quick student example, and invite volunteers to suggest examples for each.

Group SMART Sorting Activity

In small groups, review sample goals on your handout (#session2-smart-examples).
Decide which part of SMART each example illustrates—or if it needs improvement.
Post one example under each SMART letter on chart paper.
Debrief: which statements needed rewriting and why?

Distribute the SMART Goal Examples Handout. Guide groups as they sort sample statements under each SMART component. Circulate to support discussions and clarify misconceptions.

Pair SMART Conversion

With a partner, pick one goal from your mapping organizer.
Rewrite it to be Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Use your worksheet (#session2-smart-conversion-worksheet) to structure each element.
Check: How will you measure progress? What’s your deadline?

Hand out the SMART Goal Conversion Worksheet. Encourage pairs to revisit their top goal from last week and craft a SMART version. Prompt with guiding questions.

Wrap-Up & Reflection

• Volunteers share their SMART goal statements
• Discuss: How does adding SMART details change your goal?
• Keep or collect your worksheets for Session 3
• Next time: build action plans and set check-in reminders

Invite 2–3 pairs to share their SMART goals. Highlight clear deadlines and measurement criteria. Emphasize how SMART makes goals more doable. Preview next session on action planning.

Worksheet

SMART Goal Examples

Instructions:
In your group, review each goal statement below. Decide which part of the SMART criteria it illustrates (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) or whether it needs improvement. You can circle the letter(s) it meets or jot a quick rewrite to make it SMART.

I want to improve my grades.
I will raise my math grade from a C to a B by the end of this term by attending after-school tutoring twice a week.
I want to exercise more regularly.
I will jog for 20 minutes on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for the next four weeks.
I would like to become a better writer.
I will write one journal entry of at least 150 words every day after school for two weeks.

Worksheet

SMART Conversion

Instructions:
Choose one goal from your Goal Mapping Organizer. Then, work through each SMART element below to transform your goal into a clear, actionable SMART goal.

1. Specific

Rewrite your goal to be clear and detailed. What exactly will you do?

2. Measurable

Identify how you will track your progress or know when you’ve succeeded. What metrics or evidence will you use?

3. Achievable

Explain why this goal is realistic. What resources or supports will help you accomplish it?

4. Relevant

Describe why this goal matters to you. How does it align with your priorities and values?

5. Time-bound

Specify a clear deadline or timeframe for achieving this goal. When will you complete it?

Complete SMART Goal Statement

Combine all of the above elements into one concise SMART goal statement.

Lesson Plan

Action Plan in Motion

Students will develop detailed action plans for their SMART goals, anticipate obstacles, and schedule regular check-ins to stay on track and adapt as needed.

Turning SMART goals into concrete, step-by-step action plans with clear review dates helps students build accountability, boost momentum, and feel confident following through on their goals.

Audience

7th Grade, Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Modeling, individual planning, peer feedback, scheduling commitments

Materials

Session 3 Slides, Printed copies of Action Plan Worksheet, Printed copies of Check-In Reminder Tracker, Sticky Notes, Markers, and Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room

10 minutes

Print copies of the Action Plan Worksheet and Check-In Reminder Tracker for each student.
Queue up the Session 3 Slides on your display device.
Post chart paper for gallery feedback and provide sticky notes and markers.
Review the sample action plan slide to familiarize yourself with the model steps.

Step 1

Welcome & Recap

3 minutes

Greet students and revisit their SMART goals from last session.
Ask: “Which SMART goal have you been working on? Share one success or challenge.”
Explain today’s focus: transforming SMART goals into detailed action plans with check-ins.

Step 2

Introducing Action Plans

6 minutes

Display slides explaining key elements: concrete steps, timeline, resources, obstacles & coping strategies.
Model with a sample SMART goal: walk through filling each section on the slide.
Highlight how specificity and timing make plans more doable.

Step 3

Individual Action Plan Development

8 minutes

Distribute the Action Plan Worksheet.
Students break their SMART goal into step-by-step actions, assign dates, list needed resources, and note potential obstacles with coping strategies.
Circulate and prompt: “Is this step specific enough? Is the timeline realistic?”

Step 4

Peer Feedback Carousel

7 minutes

Students place their worksheets face-up on desks.
In pairs, rotate every 2 minutes to review a new partner’s plan.
Leave one sticky note with a suggestion or question for improvement.
After three rotations, return to your own plan and review feedback.

Step 5

Check-In Scheduling & Reflection

6 minutes

Hand out the Check-In Reminder Tracker.
Students select dates/times to review progress and decide reminder methods (phone alert, planner, accountability buddy).
Have them record their commitments on the tracker.
Wrap up: remind students to bring their worksheets and trackers next session for reflection and adjustments.

Slide Deck

Session 3: Action Plan in Motion

Today’s Agenda:
• Welcome & recap SMART goals
• Key elements of an action plan
• Model a sample plan
• Develop your own action plan
• Peer feedback carousel
• Schedule check-in reminders

Greet students and introduce today’s focus: turning SMART goals into actionable plans. Review the agenda and learning targets for the session.

Welcome & Recap

• Share one SMART goal you’ve practiced
• What progress did you make?
• What obstacle came up?
• Today: build a detailed plan to keep moving forward

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one SMART goal they’ve been working on. Ask: “What success or challenge did you encounter?” Use student responses to connect past work with today’s planning.

Key Elements of an Action Plan

Concrete Steps: break your goal into specific tasks
Timeline: assign dates or timeframes to each step
Resources: list tools, people, or supports you’ll need
Obstacles & Coping: predict what could go wrong and plan how you’ll respond

Explain the four key components of an effective action plan. Emphasize how each piece makes progress more concrete and manageable.

Sample Action Plan Model

SMART Goal: I will raise my math grade from C to B by May 20th by attending tutoring twice a week and completing practice problems each week.

• Step 1 (by Apr 5): Attend tutoring Mondays & Thursdays after school
• Step 2 (weekly): Complete 10 extra practice problems every Friday
• Resources: tutoring schedule, practice workbook, teacher feedback
• Obstacle: forgetting sessions → Coping: set phone reminders Saturday night
• Check-In: Sunday evening reflection in planner

Walk through this sample using a SMART goal. Point out how each action-plan element shows up in the model.

Develop Your Action Plan

Write your SMART goal at the top
List each concrete step with a target date
Identify needed resources or supports
Note potential obstacles and your coping strategies

Distribute the Action Plan Worksheet. Encourage students to transfer their SMART goals and fill in each section. Circulate to prompt specificity and realistic timelines.

Peer Feedback Carousel

• Place your worksheet face-up on your desk
• In pairs, rotate every 2 minutes to a new plan
• Read and leave one sticky-note suggestion or question
• After three rotations, return to your own plan and review feedback

Explain the carousel process: students leave their plans on desks and rotate in pairs to review three different peers’ plans. Each reviewer leaves one sticky-note suggestion.

Schedule Check-In Reminders

• Select 2–3 dates to review your progress
• Choose reminder methods (phone alert, planner, buddy)
• Record dates and methods on your tracker
• Wrap up: bring both worksheets and tracker next week for reflection

Hand out the Check-In Reminder Tracker. Guide students to choose check-in dates and decide reminder methods. Reinforce the habit of regular progress reviews.

Worksheet

Action Plan Worksheet

Instructions:
Use this worksheet to turn your SMART goal into a clear, step-by-step action plan. Fill in each section with as much detail as you can.

1. SMART Goal

Write your complete SMART goal statement here:

2. Action Steps & Timeline

List each concrete step you will take. Include a target date for each step.

Step 1 (by ________):
Step 2 (by ________):
Step 3 (by ________):

3. Resources & Supports

What tools, people, or resources will help you complete these steps?

4. Potential Obstacles & Coping Strategies

Identify what might get in your way and how you will handle it.

Obstacle 1:

Coping Strategy:
Obstacle 2:

Coping Strategy:

5. Measuring Progress

How will you know you’re making progress? What evidence or milestones will you look for?

Keep this plan visible (in your planner or on your wall) and revisit it regularly to stay on track!

Worksheet

Check-In Tracker

Instructions: Choose 2–3 dates to check in on your goal progress. For each, decide how you’ll remind yourself, what you’ll review, and record a brief reflection after your check-in.

Check-In 1

Date & Time: __________

Reminder Method (e.g., phone alert, planner, accountability buddy): __________

Review Focus (What part of your plan will you check?): __________

Notes on Progress:

Check-In 2

Date & Time: __________

Reminder Method: __________

Review Focus: __________

Notes on Progress:

Check-In 3 (Optional)

Date & Time: __________

Reminder Method: __________

Review Focus: __________

Notes on Progress:

Keep this tracker somewhere visible and stick to your chosen reminders to help you stay on target with your action plan!

Lesson Plan

Reflect & Refine

Students will reflect on their goal progress by analyzing successes and setbacks from their check-ins, then refine their action plans and set next steps to achieve their SMART goals by the end of the school year.

Reflection helps students recognize progress, identify patterns in obstacles, and adjust strategies, strengthening persistence and self-efficacy as they finish the year.

Audience

7th Grade, Middle School Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided reflection, peer feedback, collaborative refinement

Materials

Session 4 Slides, Printed copies of Reflection & Refinement Worksheet, Sticky Notes, Markers, and Chart Paper

Prep

Prepare Materials and Room

10 minutes

Print copies of the Reflection & Refinement Worksheet for each student.
Queue up the Session 4 Slides on your display device.
Post two large sheets of chart paper labeled “Successes” and “Strategies,” and set out markers and sticky notes.
Review notes from previous check-ins to anticipate common successes and challenges.

Step 1

Welcome & Progress Share

5 minutes

Greet students and introduce today’s focus: reflecting and refining goals.
Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one success and one challenge from their check-ins.
Record successes on the “Successes” chart paper to celebrate progress.

Step 2

Individual Reflection & Refinement

8 minutes

Distribute the Reflection & Refinement Worksheet.
Students complete sections on progress evidence, obstacles encountered, strategy effectiveness, and propose refinements to their action steps.
Circulate and prompt deeper thinking: “What proof shows you’re moving forward?”

Step 3

Pair Feedback & Celebration

6 minutes

Students pair up and exchange their worksheets.
Partners share one thing their peer did particularly well and offer one constructive suggestion.
Write a brief note on a sticky note and attach it to your partner’s worksheet.

Step 4

Group Brainstorm & Strategy Swap

6 minutes

Ask pairs to post their effective strategy notes on the “Strategies” chart paper.
Review as a group, highlighting patterns and new ideas.
Invite students to jot one additional strategy or tip on a sticky note and add it to the chart.

Step 5

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

5 minutes

Invite volunteers to share a refined action step or a new strategy they’ll try.
Encourage students to update their action plans and set a final check-in date.
Reinforce how ongoing reflection and adjustment lead to success beyond the program.

Slide Deck

Session 4: Reflect & Refine

Today’s Agenda:
• Welcome & progress share
• Individual reflection & refinement
• Pair feedback & celebration
• Group strategy swap
• Wrap-up & next steps

Greet students and introduce today’s focus: reflecting on progress and refining action plans. Review the agenda and learning targets for the session.

Welcome & Progress Share

• Share one success from your check-in
• Share one challenge you encountered
• We’ll list successes to recognize how far you’ve come

Invite 2–3 volunteers to share one success and one challenge from their check-ins. Record successes on the “Successes” chart paper to celebrate progress and build momentum.

Individual Reflection & Refinement

Complete evidence of progress: What proof shows you’re moving forward?
Identify obstacles you faced and how you handled them
Evaluate which strategies worked best
Propose refinements: How will you adjust your next steps?

Distribute the Reflection & Refinement Worksheet. Guide students through each section: documenting evidence of progress, noting obstacles, evaluating strategies, and proposing refined action steps.

Pair Feedback & Celebration

Pair up and swap worksheets
Share one thing your partner did well
Offer one constructive suggestion
Leave your note on their worksheet

Explain the pair exchange process: students trade worksheets and offer one praise and one suggestion. Remind them to write feedback on a sticky note and attach it.

Group Brainstorm & Strategy Swap

• Post an effective strategy you used
• Review others’ strategies on chart paper
• Discuss patterns and brainstorm new ideas
• Add one additional tip on a sticky note

Have pairs post their best strategies on the “Strategies” chart paper. Facilitate a group discussion to highlight common themes and new ideas. Encourage students to add one more tip.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Share your refined action step or new strategy
• Choose a final check-in date
• Update your action plan and reflection worksheet
• Remember: ongoing reflection and adjustment drive success

Invite volunteers to share a refined action step or a strategy they’ll try next. Encourage students to set a final check-in date and remind them that continuous reflection leads to lasting success.

Worksheet

Reflection & Refinement

Instructions:
Use this worksheet to look back on your check-in progress, celebrate what’s working, learn from challenges, and sharpen your action steps for continued success.

1. Evidence of Progress

What proof shows you’re moving closer to your SMART goal? (e.g., grades improved, habits formed, feedback received)

2. Obstacles Encountered & How I Handled Them

List two challenges you faced and describe how you responded.

Obstacle 1:

My Response/Coping Strategy:

Obstacle 2:

My Response/Coping Strategy:

3. Strategy Effectiveness

Which parts of your action plan worked well? Which strategies need tweaking?

4. Proposed Refinements

Based on your reflection above, what adjustments will you make to your action steps or timeline?

Adjustment 1:
Adjustment 2:
Adjustment 3 (optional):

5. Next Steps & Final Check-In

Choose a date for your final progress review and decide on a reminder method.

Final Check-In Date: ____________

Reminder Method: (e.g., phone alert, planner, accountability buddy) ____________

Keep this refined plan visible. Regular reflection and adjustment will help you achieve your SMART goal by the end of the year!