Lesson Plan
Creating a Family Goal Agreement
Parents will learn strategies to establish a collaborative goal-setting process with their children, fostering a supportive environment for achieving shared and individual objectives.
This lesson empowers parents to build a strong foundation for communication and accountability within their family, making goal achievement a positive and shared experience.
Audience
Parents of Elementary & Middle Schoolers
Time
45 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussion and practical template application.
Materials
Our Shared Journey to Success (slide-deck), My Goal Pact Template (worksheet), and Goal Pact Self-Assessment Rubric (rubric)
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Our Shared Journey to Success slide deck.
- Print copies of the My Goal Pact Template for each parent.
- Have copies of the Goal Pact Self-Assessment Rubric ready to distribute.
- Ensure a projector/screen is available for the slide deck.
Step 1
Introduction: Why Goals Matter (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with a brief discussion: "What comes to mind when you hear the word 'goal'?"
- Introduce the lesson's purpose: creating a supportive family environment through collaborative goal setting. Refer to Our Shared Journey to Success Slide 1-2.
Step 2
Understanding the 'Parent-Child Goal Pact' (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Present the concept of a 'Goal Pact' as a mutual agreement, not a strict rulebook. Refer to Our Shared Journey to Success Slide 3-5.
- Discuss the benefits: clear expectations, shared responsibility, increased motivation.
- Engage parents: "How might a 'pact' approach differ from simply telling your child what to do?"
Step 3
Elements of an Effective Goal Pact (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Walk through the key components of a goal pact using examples. Refer to Our Shared Journey to Success Slide 6-9.
- Specific & Measurable Goals: What exactly will be achieved and how will you know?
- Action Steps: What needs to happen to reach the goal?
- Support & Resources: How can parents and children support each other?
- Check-ins & Adjustments: When and how will progress be reviewed?
- Rewards & Recognition: How will success be celebrated?
- Distribute the My Goal Pact Template. Allow 5 minutes for parents to begin brainstorming a personal or family goal and initial action steps.
Step 4
Practical Application & Q&A (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Facilitate a brief share-out of initial ideas from the My Goal Pact Template.
- Address common challenges:
Step 5
Wrap-up & Resources (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Distribute the Goal Pact Self-Assessment Rubric and explain its use for ongoing evaluation.
- Encourage parents to implement the Goal Pact at home.
- Conclude with an inspiring thought about the power of teamwork in family goal setting. Refer to Our Shared Journey to Success Slide 10.
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Slide Deck
Welcome to Our Goal-Setting Journey!
Setting Goals Together
- What does 'goal' mean to you?
- Why are goals important for families?
Welcome parents and set a positive tone. Introduce the topic of goal setting within families.
The Power of a Parent-Child Goal Pact
What is a Goal Pact?
- A mutual agreement between parents and children.
- A supportive framework for achieving goals.
- A way to build communication and teamwork.
Explain the purpose of the session: to equip parents with tools for collaborative goal setting with their children.
Why Create a Goal Pact?
Benefits for Everyone!
- Clear Expectations: Everyone knows their role.
- Shared Responsibility: It's a team effort!
- Increased Motivation: Children feel heard and valued.
- Stronger Family Bonds: Working together brings you closer.
Discuss the advantages of a goal pact for both children and parents.
Key 1: Specific & Measurable
What exactly are we aiming for?
- Instead of "Do better in math," try "Improve my math grade to a B by studying 30 minutes daily."
- How will you know when you've reached it?
Introduce the first key element: making goals specific and measurable.
Key 2: Action Steps & Support
How will we get there?
- Break down big goals into smaller, achievable steps.
- What resources or help do we need?
- How can we support each other along the way?
Explain the importance of breaking goals into manageable action steps.
Key 3: Check-ins & Adjustments
Staying on Track
- When will we check in on progress?
- What if things aren't going as planned?
- It's okay to adjust the path, as long as we keep the destination in mind!
Discuss the need for regular check-ins and flexibility.
Key 4: Celebrate Success!
Acknowledge the Effort
- How will we celebrate milestones?
- What kind of recognition is meaningful?
- Reinforce positive behaviors and progress.
Emphasize celebrating successes, big and small.
Your Turn: The Goal Pact Template
Let's start building our pacts!
- Take a look at your My Goal Pact Template.
- Brainstorm a goal with your child in mind.
- Start thinking about action steps and support.
Show the 'My Goal Pact Template' and explain its use.
Together, We Can Achieve Great Things!
A Family United in Goals
- The journey is just as important as the destination.
- Your commitment makes all the difference.
- Remember to use your Goal Pact Self-Assessment Rubric for ongoing reflection.
Conclude the session with an encouraging message.
Worksheet
My Goal Pact Template
This template will help you and your child create a clear and supportive agreement for achieving a goal together.
Section 1: Our Goal
What is the specific goal we want to achieve?
- Who is involved? (e.g., child, parent, both)
- What exactly do we want to achieve?
- When do we plan to achieve this goal by?
- Why is this goal important to us?
Section 2: Action Steps
What steps will we take to reach our goal?
-
Step 1:
- Who is responsible for this step?
- When will this step be completed?
- Who is responsible for this step?
-
Step 2:
- Who is responsible for this step?
- When will this step be completed?
- Who is responsible for this step?
-
Step 3:
- Who is responsible for this step?
- When will this step be completed?
- Who is responsible for this step?
Section 3: Support & Resources
How will we support each other?
- What resources or help might we need? (e.g., books, quiet time, specific materials)
- How can parents support the child?
- How can the child contribute to the pact?
Section 4: Check-ins & Adjustments
How will we track our progress and make adjustments?
- When will we have our regular check-ins? (e.g., weekly, after school)
- What will we discuss during check-ins?
- What if we need to adjust our goal or steps? How will we decide?
Section 5: Celebrating Success
How will we celebrate when we achieve our goal or milestones?
- What specific milestones will we celebrate?
- How will we celebrate?
Our Signatures
We agree to work together on this goal pact.
Parent Signature: ____________________________ Date: _______________
Child Signature: _____________________________ Date: _______________
Rubric
Goal Pact Self-Assessment Rubric
This rubric helps families assess their engagement and effectiveness in using the Parent-Child Goal Pact. Reflect on your family's experience together.
| Criteria | 4: Excellent | 3: Good | 2: Developing | 1: Needs Improvement |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goal Clarity | The goal is perfectly clear, specific, and measurable for everyone. | The goal is mostly clear, specific, and measurable. | The goal is somewhat clear but could be more specific or measurable. | The goal is unclear or not well-defined. |
| Action Steps Defined | Action steps are well-defined, realistic, and assigned to individuals. | Action steps are mostly defined and realistic, with most responsibilities clear. | Action steps are vague or some responsibilities are unclear. | Action steps are missing or not actionable. |
| Mutual Support | Both parent and child consistently provide encouragement and practical help. | Both parent and child often provide encouragement and some practical help. | Support is inconsistent, or one party feels unsupported. | Little to no mutual support is evident. |
| Regular Check-ins | Check-ins happen consistently as planned, leading to productive discussions. | Check-ins happen most of the time, with some productive discussions. | Check-ins are irregular, or discussions are not always productive. | Check-ins rarely occur, or are unproductive. |
| Flexibility & Adjustments | We effectively adapt the plan when challenges arise, learning from setbacks. | We usually adapt the plan when needed, with some discussion. | We struggle to adapt the plan, often feeling stuck. | We rarely adjust the plan, even when it's not working. |
| Celebration & Recognition | Successes and efforts are celebrated meaningfully and consistently. | Most successes and efforts are acknowledged and celebrated. | Celebrations are infrequent or not very meaningful. | Little to no celebration or recognition of effort. |
Reflection Questions (to be completed by parents and children together)
- What was one thing that worked really well with our Goal Pact?
- What was one challenge we faced, and how could we address it next time?
- How did creating this Goal Pact impact our communication as a family?
- What is one thing we learned about setting goals together?
Reading
Family Goal Setting: A Collaborative Journey!
Dear Parents,
At [School Name], we believe in fostering strong family bonds and empowering children to achieve their full potential. That's why we're excited to introduce the concept of a Parent-Child Goal Pact!
What is a Goal Pact?
A Goal Pact is a special agreement between you and your child, designed to work together on shared or individual goals. It's not about strict rules, but about mutual understanding, clear expectations, and a supportive environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
Why is it important?
Creating a Goal Pact helps:
- Improve Communication: Openly discuss dreams and challenges.
- Build Responsibility: Children learn to take ownership of their progress.
- Increase Motivation: Achieve goals with a positive, team-oriented approach.
- Strengthen Family Bonds: Celebrate successes and navigate challenges together.
We encourage you to explore this powerful tool at home to make goal-setting a fun and rewarding family experience. Look out for more resources and tips on our website/upcoming workshops!
Sincerely,
The [School Name] Team