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Ready, Set, Goals!

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Natasha Alexander Lovett

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Ready, Set, Goals! Lesson Plan

In this 30-minute Tier 1 lesson, 6th graders will learn why clear, actionable goals matter and practice writing SMART goals to support academic and personal success.

Goal setting builds students’ motivation, focus, and planning skills. Learning SMART criteria empowers them to create realistic, measurable goals and foster lifelong self-management.

Audience

6th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive discussion, guided modeling, and hands-on goal crafting.

Materials

  • SMART Goals Worksheet, - Goal Reflection Worksheet, - Sticky Notes, - Chart Paper or Whiteboard, and - Markers

Prep

Prepare Materials

10 minutes

  • Review Ready, Set, Goals! Lesson Plan
  • Print one copy of SMART Goals Worksheet and Goal Reflection Worksheet for each student
  • Post chart paper or clear whiteboard space for SMART examples
  • Gather sticky notes and markers

Step 1

Launch Discussion

5 minutes

  • Ask students to share examples of personal or academic goals
  • Record ideas on chart paper
  • Introduce why setting clear goals matters

Step 2

Introduce SMART Framework

7 minutes

  • Display SMART acronym and define each letter (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Compare vague vs. SMART goal examples
  • Highlight how to apply criteria on the SMART Goals Worksheet

Step 3

Guided Practice

8 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet
  • Model writing a SMART goal together as a class
  • Students draft one personal SMART goal independently

Step 4

Pair & Share

5 minutes

  • Students exchange goals with a partner
  • Provide positive feedback and suggestions using sticky notes
  • Encourage partners to refine goals based on feedback

Step 5

Reflect & Close

5 minutes

  • Hand out the Goal Reflection Worksheet
  • Students note potential challenges and next steps
  • Invite volunteers to share reflections
  • Collect worksheets for formative assessment
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Slide Deck

Ready, Set, Goals!

Setting SMART Goals for Success

Welcome everyone! Today we’ll learn what goals are and why they matter. Introduce our lesson: Ready, Set, Goals!

Lesson Objectives

By the end of this lesson, you will:

  • Understand why setting clear goals matters
  • Learn the SMART goals framework
  • Draft your own personal SMART goal

Review the objectives so students know what to expect. Read each objective aloud.

Why Set Goals?

  • Motivation & Direction: Know what you’re working toward
  • Improved Focus: Stay on track with your efforts
  • Better Planning: Break big ideas into steps

Ask students to share one goal they’ve set before. Record a few on the board. Highlight how having a goal gave them direction.

The SMART Framework

S – Specific: Clear and detailed goal
M – Measurable: Trackable progress
A – Achievable: Realistic and attainable
R – Relevant: Meaningful to you
T – Time-bound: Set a deadline

Introduce each letter of SMART. Invite students to give examples for each definition.

Vague vs. SMART Goals

Vague Goal:

  • I want to get better at math.

SMART Goal:

  • I will improve my math grade from 75% to 85% on my next exam by studying 30 minutes each day for two weeks.

Display both examples. Ask students to spot why the second is stronger. Emphasize use of all SMART criteria.

Guided Practice

  1. Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet
  2. Model one SMART goal together
  3. Draft your personal SMART goal independently

Hand out the SMART Goals Worksheet. Model writing a SMART goal on chart paper. Then invite students to write their own.

Pair & Share

  • Exchange your draft SMART goal with a partner
  • Use sticky notes to give positive feedback and suggestions
  • Refine your goal based on your partner’s input

Explain how to give constructive feedback. Encourage students to write suggestions on sticky notes.

Reflect & Next Steps

Complete the Goal Reflection Worksheet:

  • What challenges might you face?
  • How will you overcome them?
  • What’s your next action step?

Hand out the Goal Reflection Worksheet. Encourage honest reflection about challenges and next steps.

Closing & Questions

Great work today! Remember to keep your SMART goal where you can see it. Any questions before we finish?

Summarize the key points. Remind students to keep their goals visible. Invite any last questions.

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Worksheet

SMART Goals Worksheet

Use the SMART framework to make your goal clear and achievable.

  1. Example Vague Goal:
    I want to _________________________________.


  2. Analyze with SMART Criteria:

Specific – What exactly do I want to achieve?



Measurable – How will I measure my progress?



Achievable – Why is this realistic and attainable?



Relevant – How does this goal matter to me?



Time-bound – What deadline will I set?



  1. Your Vague Goal:
    I want to _________________________________.






  2. Rewrite as a SMART Goal:












  1. Reflection & Next Steps:

• What challenges might I face, and how will I overcome them?











• What is my first action step?



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Worksheet

Goal Reflection Worksheet

Now that you have drafted and refined your SMART goal, reflect on potential obstacles and plan your next steps.

  1. My SMART Goal:







  1. What challenges might I face in achieving this goal?







  1. How will I overcome these challenges?







  1. What resources or support do I need?







  1. What is my very first action step to get started?







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lenny

Warm Up

Goal Brainstorm Warm-Up

Kick off class by activating your prior knowledge about goals in just 3 minutes!

  1. Think of one personal or academic goal you’d like to accomplish this week.
    • On a sticky note, write:
    My goal is: _________________________________.



  2. Consider why this goal matters to you.
    • On a second sticky note, write:
    This matters because: _________________________________.



  3. When the timer ends, place both sticky notes on the chart paper or whiteboard under the headings “My Goal” and “Why It Matters.”

  4. Quickly scan your classmates’ notes—notice any common themes or surprising ideas to kickstart our discussion!

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lenny

Cool Down

Goal Commitment Pledge

Great work today! Before you leave, make a commitment to yourself by completing this pledge.

  1. My SMART Goal:







  1. I pledge to take my first action step by:







  1. To hold myself accountable, I will (choose one or more):
  • Share my goal with _____________________________________



  • Check in on my progress on _______________________________



  • Post my goal where I can see it every day (e.g., locker, desk)



  1. Confidence Check (circle one): How confident am I that I will follow through?

1 2 3 4 5 (1 = Not confident 5 = Very confident)


5. Student Signature: ____________________________ Date: __________


Please hand this pledge to the teacher as your exit ticket. Keep your goal visible and refer back to it to stay on track!

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