Goal Getter Warm-Up!

Welcome, Future Goal Setters! Take a few minutes to think about what you want to achieve today or in the near future. Your answers don't have to be super serious, just what comes to mind!

1. What is one thing you hope to accomplish today at school or at home?
   
   
   
   
2. What is one exciting thing you want to do this week?
   
   
   
   
3. If you could learn any new skill by the end of this month, what would it be? (e.g., juggle, code a simple game, play a song on an instrument)
   
   
   
   

Goal Planning Script

Introduction (5 minutes)

Teacher: "Good morning/afternoon, everyone! Today, we're embarking on an exciting journey: mapping out our futures! Our lesson is called 'My Future, My Map!' because we're going to learn how to set goals, just like planning a trip. Who's ready to become a 'Goal-Getter'?"

Teacher: "First, let's look at our Goal Getter Warm-Up. Take a moment to think about what you wrote down for what you want to achieve today or this week."

Teacher: "Can a few brave volunteers share one thing they hope to accomplish today? (Allow 2-3 students to share)."

Teacher: "Great responses! Now, let's think bigger. What's one exciting thing you want to do this week? (Allow 2-3 students to share)."

Teacher: "Fantastic! These are all examples of goals, whether big or small. Now, let's dive into what a goal truly is."

What is a Goal? (8 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 2: What is a Goal?) "So, what exactly is a 'goal'? Turn to a partner and share your thoughts for 30 seconds. What do you think a goal is?"

Teacher: "Alright, let's hear some ideas! (Call on a few students). You've got it! A goal is simply something you want to achieve or get done. It's like having a target you're aiming for. Think of it like a video game – you have a quest, and that quest is your goal!"

Teacher: (Display Slide 3: Why Set Goals?) "But why do we even bother setting goals? What's the point? (Pause for student responses). Excellent points! Setting goals gives us direction, like a map guiding us to a treasure. It helps us focus our energy and time on what really matters."

Teacher: "And the best part? When you achieve a goal, big or small, how does it make you feel? (Allow responses like 'proud,' 'happy,' 'accomplished'). Exactly! It builds your confidence and shows you what you're capable of."

Teacher: "Can anyone share a time they felt really great after accomplishing something they had set out to do? Maybe it was learning to ride a bike, finishing a challenging school project, or scoring a goal in a game? (Share a brief personal example if appropriate, then invite 1-2 students to share)."

Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals (8 minutes)

Teacher: (Display Slide 4: Short-Term vs. Long-Term Goals) "Now, not all goals are created equal. We have different types of goals: short-term and long-term. Let's look at the difference."

Teacher: "Short-term goals are things you can achieve pretty soon – maybe today, this week, or this month. For example, finishing your homework tonight, reading a chapter of a book, or cleaning your room. What's a short-term goal you might set for yourself?" (Allow 2-3 students to share).

Teacher: "Then we have long-term goals. These are bigger things that take more time and effort, like this school year, by middle school, or even further in the future. Things like learning a new language, saving money for a bike, or improving your grades in a certain subject. What's a long-term goal you might have?" (Allow 2-3 students to share).

Teacher: "Think of short-term goals as stepping stones that help you reach your long-term goals!"

How to Plan Your Goal: The GOAL Map (12 minutes - including worksheet time)

Teacher: (Display Slide 5: How to Plan Your Goal) "So, how do we actually plan to achieve these awesome goals? We're going to use something I call a 'Goal Map.' It's a simple framework to help us think through our goals."

Teacher: "The first letter is G for Get Specific. Instead of saying 'I want to be good at sports,' you'd say, 'I want to be able to make 10 free throws in a row.' The more specific, the better!"

Teacher: "Next, O for Outline Steps. What smaller things need to happen to reach your goal? If your goal is to read a whole book, maybe your first step is to read one chapter a day."

Teacher: "Then, A for Anticipate Obstacles. What might make it tricky to achieve your goal? Life happens! Maybe you get busy, or something is harder than you thought. Thinking about this beforehand helps you prepare."

Teacher: "Finally, L for Leap Forward. How will you overcome those challenges? If an obstacle is being too busy, your plan might be to set aside 20 minutes each evening for your goal."

Teacher: (Display Slide 6: Time to Make Your Map!) "Now it's YOUR turn to create your own Goal Map! I'm going to hand out the My Goal Map Worksheet. You'll pick one goal you want to work on, either short-term or long-term, and fill out your map using our GOAL framework."

Teacher: "Remember to be specific with your goal, think about the steps, consider what might get in your way, and how you'll jump over those hurdles!"

Teacher: "I'll be walking around to help. Feel free to ask questions!" (Allow students to work on the worksheet).

Share & Reflect (3 minutes)

Teacher: "Alright, everyone, great work on your Goal Maps! Who would be willing to share one of their goals, or perhaps a step they identified, with the class? Remember, you only share if you're comfortable. No pressure!" (Call on 2-3 volunteers).

Teacher: "Thank you for sharing! It's inspiring to hear all your amazing goals."

Cool-Down (2 minutes)

Teacher: "To wrap up our goal-setting adventure, please take out your Goal Reflection Cool-Down. This is a quick exit ticket to help you reflect on what you learned today. Please complete it and turn it in on your way out."

Teacher: "Remember, goal setting is a powerful skill that you can use in every part of your life. Keep mapping your future!"

My Goal Map Worksheet

Welcome, Goal-Getter! Now it's your turn to map out your future by planning an awesome goal. Use the "GOAL" framework we discussed to help you create your plan!

1. Get Specific: What is Your Awesome Goal?

What is ONE specific goal you want to achieve? This could be a short-term goal (like finishing a book) or a long-term goal (like learning a new skill). Make it clear and exciting!

My Goal Is:

2. Outline Steps: What Smaller Steps Will You Take?

Think about the path to your goal. What are the smaller, actionable steps you need to take to reach it? List at least 3 steps.

• Step 1:
  
  
  
• Step 2:
  
  
  
• Step 3:
  
  
  
• Step 4 (Optional):
  
  
  

3. Anticipate Obstacles: What Might Make It Tricky?

Even the best plans can have bumps in the road. What are some things that might make it challenging to achieve your goal? (e.g., getting distracted, running out of time, finding it too hard)

Possible Obstacles:

4. Leap Forward: How Will You Overcome Challenges?

Don't let obstacles stop you! For each obstacle you identified, think of a way you can overcome it. What's your strategy to keep moving forward?

My Plan to Overcome Obstacles:

Goal Reflection Cool-Down

Great job mapping out your goals today! Take a moment to reflect on what you learned.

1. What is one new thing you learned about setting goals today?
   
   
   
   
2. Why do you think it's important to have a plan for your goals (like our "Goal Map")?
   
   
   
   
3. What is one small action you can take tomorrow to work towards any goal you have?