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Ready, Set, Goals!

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Lesson Plan

SMART Goals Blueprint

Students will learn the SMART framework to craft at least one Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goal, then map actionable steps to achieve it.

Setting SMART goals builds self-management and personal growth skills by helping students break big ambitions into clear, feasible plans.

Audience

9th Grade Small Group

Time

40 minutes

Approach

Interactive slides, guided practice, collaborative activity, and reflection.

Prep

Teacher Preparation

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction & Vision Activation

5 minutes

  • Welcome students and invite them to share one personal dream or ambition verbally or via the Vision Journal Prompt
  • Emphasize how clear goals bridge dreams and reality
  • Explain that today’s work will turn their vision into a concrete plan

Step 2

Teach the SMART Framework

8 minutes

  • Display each SMART criterion on the Goal-Setting Slides
  • For each letter, present a real-world example and ask students to identify which criterion it illustrates
  • Encourage questions and offer additional examples for students needing extra support (e.g., sentence stems: “I will ______ by _____.”)

Step 3

Draft Individual SMART Goals

10 minutes

  • Distribute the Personal Roadmap Template
  • Model crafting one SMART goal step by step, thinking aloud to demonstrate specificity and measurability
  • Students write their own SMART goal on their template
  • Circulate and provide differentiated support: offer simplified examples, one-on-one mini-coaching, or extension challenges for advanced students

Step 4

Collaborative Goal Mapping Relay

10 minutes

  • Form teams of 3–4 and give each team a fresh roadmap sheet
  • Explain the Goal Mapping Relay Activity: each student adds one actionable step, then passes the sheet
  • After one full rotation, teams review the complete action plan and refine steps together
  • Encourage peer feedback, clarifying vague or unrealistic steps

Step 5

Reflection & Sharing

7 minutes

  • Invite students to journal on their next reflection using the Vision Journal Prompt, noting how today’s plan supports their vision
  • Ask volunteers to share their SMART goal and one action step
  • Offer positive feedback and suggest small refinements
  • Conclude by reminding students to review and adjust their goals weekly
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Slide Deck

Ready, Set, Goals!

Turn your dreams into actionable plans by learning the SMART framework.

Welcome the students to today’s session. Introduce the objective: crafting SMART goals. Encourage excitement by framing goals as keys to making dreams real.

What’s Your Vision?

If you could achieve one dream this year, what would it be? Take 1 minute to jot it down or share with a partner.

Prompt each student to think of a personal dream. Use the Vision Journal Prompt if available. Keep discussion positive and supportive.

What is SMART?

SMART is an acronym to guide goal setting:

  • Specific
  • Measurable
  • Achievable
  • Relevant
  • Time-bound

Explain that each part helps ensure goals are clear and attainable. Preview that we’ll dive into each letter next.

Specific (S)

Define: Goals should be clear and unambiguous.
Example: “Read 20 pages of a book every day.”

Emphasize clarity—avoid vague words like “improve” without detail. Ask students to suggest examples.

Measurable (M)

Define: Goals need criteria to track progress.
Example: “Increase my basketball free-throw percentage by 10%.”

Discuss how numbers or milestones help know when you’ve succeeded.

Achievable (A)

Define: Goals should be realistic given resources and time.
Example: “Save $50 from allowance each month.”

Encourage balancing challenge with attainability. Brainstorm factors like time, tools, and support.

Relevant (R)

Define: Goals align with your broader objectives and values.
Example: “Learn basic coding to build a personal website.”

Explain that relevance keeps motivation strong. Ask students how their vision connects to goals.

Time-bound (T)

Define: Goals have a clear deadline.
Example: “Complete the first draft of my essay by Friday.”

Stress accountability—deadlines drive action.

Example SMART Goal

“I will practice guitar for 30 minutes, five times a week, for the next month to prepare for the school talent show.”

Highlight each SMART element: Specific (practice guitar 30 mins), Measurable (5 times/week), Achievable (30 mins), Relevant (talent show), Time-bound (one month).

Your Turn: Draft SMART Goals

  1. Grab a Personal Roadmap Template.
  2. Pick one vision from earlier.
  3. Write a SMART goal using the template.
  4. We’ll review together in 10 minutes.

Distribute templates. Model the first line. Circulate to support and ask guiding questions.

Collaborative Goal Mapping Relay

In teams of 3–4:

  1. Each student adds one action step.
  2. Pass the sheet.
  3. Repeat until complete.
  4. Refine the plan as a group.

Ensure roles rotate. Encourage constructive feedback. Time each rotation (~1 min each).

Reflect & Share

  1. Journal about how today’s plan aligns with your vision.
  2. Share your SMART goal and one step with the group.
  3. Plan to review and adjust weekly.

Facilitate sharing. Provide positive feedback and suggestions. Remind them to keep the roadmap visible.

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Worksheet

Personal Roadmap Template

1. Your Vision

Describe your personal vision or ambition for this goal:





2. My SMART Goal

Specific (What exactly do you want to accomplish?):





Measurable (How will you track your progress?):





Achievable (Is this goal realistic? What resources or support will you need?):





Relevant (How does this goal align with your values or longer-term vision?):





Time-bound (What is your deadline?):





3. Action Steps

List at least three specific steps you will take to reach your SMART goal.

  1. Step 1:





  2. Step 2:





  3. Step 3:





4. Review & Reflection

When and how will you review your progress? What evidence will you look for that shows you’re on track?





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Activity

Goal Mapping Relay Activity

Objective: Partner to expand and refine action steps for a SMART goal, promoting collaboration and critical thinking.

Materials:

Setup: Arrange students into teams of 3–4 and place roadmap sheets at each table.

Instructions:

  1. Each team selects one member to start with their Personal Roadmap Template.
  2. Round 1 (1 minute): Student 1 writes one specific, actionable step toward the SMART goal.
  3. Pass the Sheet: On cue, students pass the roadmap to the next team member clockwise.
  4. Subsequent Rounds: Each student adds one new action step during their turn. Continue until each student has contributed.
  5. Refinement (2 minutes): After the relay, teams review all steps, discuss clarity and feasibility, and refine any vague or unrealistic actions.
  6. Share-Out: Invite one representative per team to briefly share a standout action step and a refinement they made.

Teacher Tips:

  • Model a sample relay turn to demonstrate level of detail expected.
  • Monitor teams, prompting them to make steps specific and measurable.
  • Provide sticky notes or colored pens for students to flag steps that need revision.
  • Time each round strictly to maintain pace.

Time Allotment: 10 minutes total

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Journal

Vision Journal Prompt

Take a few moments to reflect on your personal vision and the goals you’re setting. Answer the prompts below thoughtfully.

  1. Describe your personal vision or dream in detail. What does success look like for you?










  2. How does the SMART goal you created today connect to this vision? Explain the link between your goal and your broader ambition.





  3. What motivates you most about achieving this vision? How do you feel when you imagine reaching your goal?





  4. Identify potential challenges you might face on the way. What strategies or supports will you use to overcome them?





  5. In what specific ways will completing your SMART goal bring you closer to your overall vision? Give concrete examples.





  6. What is one actionable step you can commit to this week to move another stride toward your vision? Be as specific as possible.





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Rubric

SMART Goals Blueprint Rubric

Use this rubric to assess students’ SMART goals, action steps, and reflection.
Each criterion is scored from 1 (Beginning) to 4 (Exemplary).

Criteria4 – Exemplary3 – Proficient2 – Developing1 – Beginning
SMART Goal QualityGoal is fully Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound; language is clear and precise; target is realistic and ambitious.Goal meets most SMART elements with clear detail; may lack minor specificity or detail in one element.Goal meets some SMART elements but is vague or unrealistic in at least two areas.Goal lacks clarity or fails to meet most SMART criteria; target is ambiguous or not time-bound.
Action StepsThree or more action steps are highly specific, sequential, feasible, and directly lead toward the goal.At least three actionable steps are clear and mostly feasible; one step may be general or missing detail.Steps are present but lack specificity, sequence, or feasibility; fewer than three clear steps.Steps are vague, incomplete, or unrelated to the goal; no clear plan for implementation.
Reflection & Connection to VisionReflection clearly explains how the goal aligns with personal vision; identifies multiple challenges and strategies; shows deep self-awareness.Reflection explains the connection to vision and notes at least one challenge and strategy.Reflection mentions vision but connection is weak; may list challenges without strategies.Little or no reflection on connection to vision; challenges and strategies are not identified.
Progress Monitoring & ReviewDescribes a detailed, realistic review schedule and specific evidence/metrics to track progress.Provides a review plan with general schedule and indicators of progress.Mentions review but lacks clear schedule or measurable indicators.No plan for review or monitoring; progress tracking is absent or unclear.

Total Score: ___ / 16
Interpretation:
• 13–16 = Exemplary: Goal and plan are robust and ready for implementation.
• 9–12 = Proficient: Solid foundation; minor refinements needed.
• 5–8 = Developing: Needs clearer targets, steps, or reflection.
• 1–4 = Beginning: Goal and plan require significant revision and support.

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Ready, Set, Goals! • Lenny Learning