Ready, Set, Succeed!

Kristen O'Brien

Tier 1

Lesson Plan

Ready Set Succeed Lesson Plan

Students will build classroom community, set personal and group goals, and learn classroom expectations through collaborative icebreakers, goal-setting activities, and a charades game.

This lesson fosters a supportive learning environment, promotes relationship-building, and empowers students to take ownership of their goals and behavior—key for all learners, including those with IEPs, autism, communication disorders, and ADHD.

Audience

Middle School Students (Grades 5–7)

Time

25 minutes

Approach

Interactive, structured community-building and goal-setting activities.

Materials

Sticky Notes, - Markers, - Chart Paper, - Timer, - Goal-Setting Worksheet, and - Expectation Charades Cards

Prep

Prepare Materials and Environment

5 minutes

Print one copy of the Goal-Setting Worksheet per student
Create or print the set of Expectation Charades Cards
Arrange student desks or chairs in a circle or U-shape for inclusive discussion
Post a visible classroom expectations poster at the front of the room
Review IEP/504 accommodations and plan supports (visual cues, processing time) to integrate into activities
Align with relevant SEL standards (e.g., CASEL competencies for Self-Management and Relationship Skills)

Step 1

Warm-Up: Community Connection

5 minutes

Students sit in a circle and use a small talking piece to indicate whose turn it is to speak
Teacher models: shares name and one fun fact
Going around the circle, each student says their name and fun fact or places a sticky note with their fact on the chart
Accommodations: allow students with communication challenges to write or draw their fun fact; provide visual choice boards if needed

Step 2

Activity: Personal and Group Goal Setting

8 minutes

Distribute the Goal-Setting Worksheet
Explain SMART goal criteria with a visual example (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
Students write one personal goal and one group goal for the classroom
Pair students (consider peer buddies) to share and provide positive feedback
Teacher circulates to support students needing extra processing time or visual reminders; check in with IEP goals

Step 3

Game: Expectation Charades

7 minutes

Divide students into small groups of 3–4
One student from each group draws a card from the Expectation Charades Cards and acts out the expectation without words
Teammates guess the expectation and briefly discuss how it looks in real class scenarios
Rotate so each student acts once
Supports: cards include picture cues; nonverbal students may point to pictures or use gesture prompts

Step 4

Wrap-Up and Reflection

5 minutes

Reconvene as a whole class; record one personal goal and one classroom expectation on chart paper
Ask volunteers to share how they’ll use supports (e.g., fidget tools, visuals) to meet their goals
Review next steps and remind students of where to find the posted expectations daily
Highlight that accommodations and strategies are in place to help everyone succeed

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Activity

Goal Setting Worksheet

Name: ___________________________ Date: _____________

Use the SMART criteria below to write one personal goal and one classroom goal.

Section 1: My Personal Goal

🎯 Specific: What exactly do I want to achieve?

📏 Measurable: How will I track my progress or know I’ve succeeded?

🚀 Achievable: What steps will I take to make this goal possible?

❤️ Relevant: Why is this goal important to me right now?

⏰ Time-bound: By what date or within what time frame will I reach this goal?

My SMART Personal Goal:

Example: I will read for 20 minutes every day for two weeks to improve my reading fluency.

Section 2: Our Classroom Goal

🎯 Specific: What do we want our class to achieve together?

📏 Measurable: How will we measure our success as a class?

🚀 Achievable: What actions will our class take to reach this goal?

❤️ Relevant: Why is this goal important for our classroom community?

⏰ Time-bound: When will we check in on our progress?

Our SMART Classroom Goal:

Tip for all learners: Use visuals (drawings or icons), peer support, and checklists to help stay on track.

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Game

Expectation Charades Cards

Cut along the lines to create individual cards. Each card shows an emoji “picture cue” plus a brief description of the classroom expectation. Students will draw one card, act it out silently, and teammates guess the expectation.

✋ Raise your hand to speak

👂 Listen when others are talking

🔈 Use an indoor (quiet) voice

🚶 Walk quietly in the classroom

👐 Keep your workspace clean

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 Respect others’ personal space

✅ Follow directions the first time

⏳ Wait your turn

✏️ Use materials responsibly

💬 Use kind words

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