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Success Starts Now: SMART Goal Setting

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Lesson Plan

Success Starts Now: SMART Goal Setting

Students will be able to define and identify the components of SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) and apply the framework to create their own academic or personal goals.

Setting SMART goals is a vital life skill that helps students clarify their aspirations, focus their efforts, and make the most of their potential. This lesson provides a practical tool for achieving both short-term and long-term success.

Audience

9th and 10th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Interactive lecture, guided practice, and collaborative goal setting.

Materials

Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck, SMART Goal Pre-Test, SMART Goal Worksheet, SMART Goal Discussion Prompts, SMART Goal Activity, and SMART Goal Post-Test

Prep

Review Materials and Prepare

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up & Introduction (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Begin by administering the SMART Goal Pre-Test to gauge prior knowledge.
    - Introduce the lesson by asking students about their understanding of goals and success.
    - Use the first few slides of the Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck to introduce the concept of SMART goals.

Step 2

Understanding SMART Goals (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Present each component of the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) using the Smart Goal Setting Slide Deck.
    - Provide clear examples for each component and check for understanding.
    - Facilitate a brief class discussion using selected prompts from the SMART Goal Discussion Prompts to deepen comprehension.

Step 3

Guided Practice & Application (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the SMART Goal Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the SMART Goal Activity, demonstrating how to transform a vague goal into a SMART goal using the worksheet.
    - Allow students time to begin crafting their own SMART goals on the worksheet, offering support and feedback as needed.

Step 4

Wrap-Up & Assessment (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Briefly recap the key takeaways about SMART goals.
    - Administer the SMART Goal Post-Test to assess learning.
    - Collect the worksheets and post-tests for review.
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Slide Deck

Success Starts Now: SMART Goal Setting

How do you achieve your dreams? It all begins with a GOAL!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of setting goals. Ask them what 'success' means to them and how they think goals play a part.

What's a SMART Goal?

A powerful tool to turn your dreams into reality!
Each letter stands for a key ingredient to success.

Explain that not all goals are created equal. Some are more effective than others. Introduce the idea of a 'SMART' goal.

S is for Specific

• Clear and Focused: What exactly do you want to achieve?
• Who, What, Where, When, Why?
• Not Specific: "I want to do better in school."
• Specific: "I want to improve my Biology grade from a B to an A by studying for 30 minutes every day after school."

Explain 'Specific.' Emphasize clarity and detail. Give a clear example of a non-specific goal vs. a specific one.

M is for Measurable

• Track Your Progress: How will you know when you've reached your goal?
• Use Numbers! (e.g., test scores, pages read, hours studied)
• Not Measurable: "I want to read more books."
• Measurable: "I want to read two non-fiction books this semester."

Explain 'Measurable.' How will they know if they've met their goal? Focus on quantifiable progress.

A is for Achievable

• Realistic but Challenging: Is it possible to reach your goal?
• Do you have the resources/skills? If not, how can you get them?
• Not Achievable: "I want to learn fluent French in one week."
• Achievable: "I want to learn 20 new French vocabulary words each week."

Explain 'Achievable.' The goal should be challenging but realistic. Discuss the difference between a dream and a realistic step.

R is for Relevant

• Does it matter to YOU? Is this goal important for your life?
• Does it align with your bigger picture?
• Not Relevant: "I want to learn to play the tuba (when I have no interest in music)."
• Relevant: "I want to pass my driver's test this summer so I can drive myself to my part-time job."

Explain 'Relevant.' The goal should matter to them and align with their values or other objectives.

T is for Time-Bound

• Set a Deadline: When will you achieve this goal?
• Creates Urgency: Helps you stay on track.
• Not Time-Bound: "I want to save money."
• Time-Bound: "I want to save $500 by December 31st for a new laptop."

Explain 'Time-bound.' A deadline creates urgency and a clear finish line.

Putting It All Together!

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

Now, let's turn your goals into SMART goals!

Summarize the SMART goal concept. Transition to the activity where students will apply what they've learned.

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Worksheet

SMART Goal Worksheet

Name: _________________________ Date: _________________________

Part 1: My Current Goal (Vague/General)

Think about a goal you have, either for school or your personal life. Write it down below.

My Goal:





Part 2: Making It SMART!

Now, let's break your goal down using the SMART framework.

S - Specific

What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? What are the key actions? Where will it happen? When will it happen? Why is this goal important to you?

My Specific Goal:










M - Measurable

How will you know when you have achieved your goal? What metrics or indicators will you use to track your progress? How much, how many, how often?

How I will measure my progress:










A - Achievable

Is your goal realistic and attainable given your resources and abilities? Do you have the necessary skills or can you acquire them? Is it challenging but not impossible?

Why my goal is achievable:










R - Relevant

Is this goal truly important to you? Does it align with your values, other goals, or long-term aspirations? Why does this goal matter?

Why my goal is relevant:










T - Time-Bound

What is your deadline for achieving this goal? When will you start and when will you finish? Setting a target date helps you stay focused and motivated.

My deadline:





Part 3: My SMART Goal!

Write your complete SMART goal here, combining all the elements you just worked on.

My SMART Goal:











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Discussion

SMART Goal Discussion Prompts

Use these questions to facilitate a class discussion about goal setting and the SMART framework.

Introduction to Goals

  1. What does the word "success" mean to you? How do goals play a role in achieving success?


  2. Can you share a time when you set a goal for yourself? Was it easy or difficult to achieve? Why?


  3. What are some common challenges people face when trying to reach a goal?


Exploring SMART Goals

  1. Why is it important for a goal to be Specific? What happens if a goal is too vague?


  2. How does making a goal Measurable help you stay motivated and on track?


  3. Can you think of a goal that might seem achievable but isn't truly Achievable for everyone? What factors make a goal achievable or unachievable?


  4. Why is it crucial that a goal is Relevant to you personally? What if you pursue a goal that isn't relevant?


  5. What is the benefit of making a goal Time-Bound? What happens if there's no deadline?


Application and Reflection

  1. How might using the SMART goal framework change the way you approach your studies or personal projects?


  2. What is one personal or academic goal you have right now? How could you make it a SMART goal?
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Activity

SMART Goal Transformation Challenge

Instructions: Work individually or in small groups. Your challenge is to take the vague goal below and transform it into a truly SMART goal by answering the guiding questions.

Vague Goal:

"I want to be a better student."




Let's Make It SMART!

1. Specific: What exactly does "better student" mean to you? Think about specific classes, grades, or study habits.







2. Measurable: How will you track your progress? What numbers or indicators will show you're becoming a "better student"?







3. Achievable: Is this goal realistic for you right now? Do you have the time, resources, or support needed? What steps can you take to make it happen?







4. Relevant: Why is being a "better student" important to you? How does it connect to your future plans or personal values?







5. Time-Bound: By when do you want to achieve this goal? Set a clear start and end date.







Your Transformed SMART Goal:

Write out your complete SMART goal for "being a better student" here:













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Quiz

SMART Goal Pre-Test

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Quiz

SMART Goal Post-Test

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