New Year, New Goals! Script

Introduction & Hook (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 1)

"Good morning/afternoon, everyone! As we step into a new year, it’s a time when many of us start thinking about fresh starts and what we hope to achieve. How many of you have heard people talk about ‘New Year’s Resolutions’? What does that phrase bring to mind?"

"That’s right! It’s all about looking forward and deciding what we want to do differently or better. Today, we’re going to talk about turning those hopeful ideas into actual plans – we’re going to talk about setting goals."

What Are Goals? (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 2)

"First, let’s distinguish between a wish and a goal. Look at this slide. Can someone tell me, in your own words, the key difference between a wish and a goal?"

"Exactly! A wish is something you hope for, but a goal has a plan of action behind it. It’s something you actively work towards. Now, why do you think it’s important to set goals? What benefits can come from having clear goals?"

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 3)

"Great answers! As you can see, goals give us direction, keep us motivated, help us track our progress, and ultimately, help us develop new skills and grow as individuals."

Goal Setting Activity (15 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 4)

"To help us set really effective goals, we’re going to use a framework called SMART goals. Each letter stands for something important. Who can read out what S stands for?"

• (S)pecific: "Instead of 'I want to be healthier,' a specific goal would be 'I want to run a 5K.'"
• (M)easurable: "How will you know if you've met your goal? For the 5K, it's easy: either you ran it or you didn't!"
• (A)chievable: "Is your goal realistic? If I decided I wanted to fly to the moon by next week, that wouldn't be very achievable for me right now!"
• (R)elevant: "Does this goal truly matter to you? Does it align with your values or other things you want to achieve?"
• (T)ime-bound: "When will you achieve this goal? Having a deadline helps keep you on track."

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 5)

"Now it’s your turn! I’m going to hand out the Worksheet: My Goal Getter Plan. Your task is to think about what you want to achieve in this new year. Start by brainstorming a few ideas – maybe academic goals, personal habits, or something related to your interests."

"Then, choose ONE goal from your brainstorm list that you want to focus on. Once you’ve chosen it, make it SMART using the guide on your worksheet and on the slide. Finally, list at least three concrete action steps you can take to start working towards that goal."

"I’ll be walking around to help if you have any questions or need ideas. You have about 15 minutes for this activity. Let’s get started!"

(Circulate and provide support as students work.)

Share & Reflect (5 minutes)

(Teacher displays Slide Deck: New Year, New Goals! - Slide 6)

"Alright, let’s bring it back together. I know it can be a little daunting to share personal goals, but would anyone be willing to share one of their SMART goals or even just one action step they plan to take?"

"Thank you for sharing! It takes courage to put your goals out there. Remember, setting goals is a powerful tool for personal growth. It’s okay if your goals change, and it’s okay if you hit bumps in the road. The important thing is to keep trying and to learn from the process."

"For our cool-down today, you’ll complete a quick reflection. Think about one thing you learned or one feeling you have about setting goals. Your Cool Down: My Goal Reflection will give you a chance to jot that down before we wrap up."

"Keep your goals in mind, and let's make this a productive year!"

My Goal Getter Plan

Step 1: Brainstorm Potential Goals

Think about different areas of your life (academics, personal habits, hobbies, relationships, etc.). What are some things you would like to achieve or improve in the new year? List at least 3 ideas.

Step 2: Choose ONE Goal

From your brainstorm list, choose ONE goal that you are most excited about. Write it below:

My Chosen Goal:

Step 3: Make Your Goal SMART!

Use the SMART framework to refine your chosen goal. Fill in the blanks below:

• S - Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve? Who else is involved? Where will it take place? Why is this goal important to me?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• M - Measurable: How will I know when I have reached my goal? What metrics or evidence will I use?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic and attainable given my current resources and abilities? What skills do I need to develop?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• R - Relevant: Is this goal truly important to me? Does it align with my values and other long-term aspirations?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

• T - Time-bound: By when do I want to achieve this goal? What is my deadline?
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

My Final SMART Goal Statement:

(Combine your answers above into one clear statement)

Step 4: Action Steps

What are the specific steps you need to take to achieve your SMART goal? List at least 3 initial steps.

My Goal Reflection

What is one key takeaway you learned about setting goals today? Or, how do you feel about setting your own goals for the new year after this activity?