Ready, Set, Grow!

Melissa Cahall

Tier 3

Lesson Plan

Ready Set Grow Lesson Plan

By the end of this 30-minute session, the student will identify a personal academic or social goal, break it into manageable steps using a chart, and create a progress tracker with planned celebrations.

Students with low self-confidence often avoid challenges. Teaching goal setting empowers them to break tasks into achievable steps, build self-esteem through small wins, and develop planning and self-encouragement skills.

Audience

3rd Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Guided one-on-one goal setting through interactive worksheets.

Materials

Goal-Setting Worksheet, - Step-by-Step Plan Chart, - Daily Progress Tracker, - Celebration Certificate Template, - Small Win Stickers, - Timer (physical or digital), and - Pencil and eraser

Prep

Material Preparation

10 minutes

Print copies of Goal-Setting Worksheet, Step-by-Step Plan Chart, Daily Progress Tracker, and Celebration Certificate Template.
Gather Small Win Stickers, a timer, pencil, and eraser.
Review the lesson flow and familiarize yourself with each worksheet and chart.

Step 1

Warm-Up Discussion

5 minutes

Greet the student warmly to create a safe space.
Ask about a recent accomplishment and how it felt.
Highlight strengths and link positive feelings to the idea of setting new goals.

Step 2

Introduce Goal Setting

7 minutes

Explain what a goal is using simple, concrete examples (e.g., reading a book).
Present the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
Guide the student to choose one meaningful academic or social goal.
Ensure the goal is specific and realistic.

Step 3

Break Into Steps

8 minutes

Use the Step-by-Step Plan Chart to divide the goal into 3–4 manageable steps.
Encourage the student to verbalize and write each step.
Offer positive reinforcement after each completed step.

Step 4

Create Progress Tracker

5 minutes

Introduce the Daily Progress Tracker.
Show how to log each completed step.
Let the student personalize the tracker with Small Win Stickers.

Step 5

Plan Celebrations

3 minutes

Show the Celebration Certificate Template and extra Small Win Stickers.
Discuss small rewards for each step and a bigger celebration for goal completion.
Allow the student to choose preferred rewards.

Step 6

Wrap-Up & Assessment

2 minutes

Review the goal, the steps, and how to use the tracker.
Ask the student to explain the plan back to you to confirm understanding.
Praise the student’s effort and schedule a follow-up check-in.

0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Ready, Set, Grow!

A 30-minute one-on-one session to set a personal goal, plan steps, track progress, and celebrate achievements.

Time: 2 minutes
Welcome the student and set a positive tone. Mention that today you will work together to set and plan a goal. Explain that the session is called “Ready, Set, Grow!”

Warm-Up Discussion

• Greet the student warmly.
• Ask: “Tell me about something you did recently that made you proud.”
• Highlight feelings of success and link to setting new goals.

Time: 5 minutes
Use this slide to guide a brief warm-up discussion. Encourage the student to share a recent success and describe how it felt.

What Is a Goal?

A goal is something you choose to work toward. It helps you grow by:
• Giving you a clear target
• Breaking big ideas into smaller steps
• Helping you see and celebrate progress

Time: 3 minutes
Explain what a goal is. Use simple, concrete examples like “finish a book” or “make a new friend.”

Choose Your Goal

Look at the Goal-Setting Worksheet.
Brainstorm one thing you’d like to achieve (e.g., read a book, join a game).
Make sure it’s specific, measurable, and something you care about.

Time: 7 minutes
Introduce the Goal-Setting Worksheet. Guide the student to pick one academic or social goal that is specific and realistic.

Break It into Steps

Open the Step-by-Step Plan Chart.
Write down the goal at the top.
List 3–4 steps needed to reach it.
Talk through each step and ask the student to repeat.

Time: 8 minutes
Show the Step-by-Step Plan Chart. Help the student divide the goal into 3–4 manageable steps.

Track Your Progress

• Use the Daily Progress Tracker to log completed steps each day.
• Decorate each day’s box with a Small Win Sticker.
• Color or draw a small picture when you finish a step.

Time: 5 minutes
Introduce the Daily Progress Tracker and Small Win Stickers. Show how to log steps and add stickers.

Plan Celebrations

• For each step: pick a small reward (extra play time, sticker).
• When the goal is done: design a bigger celebration on the Celebration Certificate Template.
• Let the student choose and personalize rewards.

Time: 3 minutes
Discuss simple rewards and show the Celebration Certificate Template. Let the student choose small and big celebrations.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

• Review your goal, steps, tracker, and celebrations.
• Ask: “Can you tell me how you’ll use your plan each day?”
• Praise the student’s effort and schedule a check-in.

Time: 2 minutes
Review everything and check understanding. Ask the student to explain their plan back to you. Praise effort and set a time for follow-up.

Worksheet

Goal-Setting Worksheet

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________

Tip: A good goal is SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.

1. My Big Goal

Write down one thing you want to achieve (academic or social). Make sure it’s clear and important to you.

My goal is: ____________________________________________________________

2. Why This Goal Matters

Explain why you chose this goal and how it will help you or make you feel.

Because: ________________________________________________________________

3. How Will I Know I’m Done?

Describe how you will measure success. What will you see, hear, or feel when you complete your goal?

I will know I’ve reached my goal when: ______________________________________

4. What’s My First Step?

Think of one small action you can do right away to move toward your goal.

My first step is: __________________________________________________________

5. Ready to Plan More?

Use the Step-by-Step Plan Chart to break your goal into 3–4 manageable steps next.

Worksheet

Step-by-Step Plan Chart

Name: _______________________ Date: _______________

My Big Goal:
______________________________________________________________

Steps to Reach My Goal

Step 1: What I will do:
______________________________________________________________

Date to do it by: __________________ Done: [ ]

Step 2: What I will do:
______________________________________________________________

Date to do it by: __________________ Done: [ ]

Step 3: What I will do:
______________________________________________________________

Date to do it by: __________________ Done: [ ]

Step 4: What I will do:
______________________________________________________________

Date to do it by: __________________ Done: [ ]

After filling in your steps, use the Daily Progress Tracker to log each step and celebrate your small wins!

Worksheet

Daily Progress Tracker

Name: _______________________ Week of: _______________

Use this tracker to log your steps each day and celebrate your small wins with a sticker!

Day	Date	Step Completed?
Day 1	___________	[ ]
Day 2	___________	[ ]
Day 3	___________	[ ]
Day 4	___________	[ ]
Day 5	___________	[ ]
Day 6	___________	[ ]
Day 7	___________	[ ]

Tip: After completing each step, place a sticker or draw a smiley face in the sticker column to celebrate!

Worksheet

Celebration Certificate

This certificate is awarded to:

______________________________

For achieving the goal:

______________________________

Date of Completion:

______________________________

Steps Completed:

____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
____________________________

Congratulations on your achievement!

Add Small Win Stickers and decorate your certificate to celebrate!