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The Art of Goal Setting

Lesson Plan

Goal Setting Lesson Plan

Students will learn to articulate SMART goals and create personalized vision boards, culminating in actionable plans for academic and personal growth.

Helps students build motivation, focus, self-efficacy, and organizational skills by understanding and applying goal-setting strategies.

Audience

Middle School Students

Time

45 minutes

Approach

Interactive teaching, hands-on creation, and peer sharing.

Materials

Prep

Preparation

10 minutes

  • Print enough copies of the SMART Goals Worksheet so each student has one.
  • Load the Goal Setting Slide Deck onto the classroom projector.
  • Collect magazines, newspapers, scissors, glue sticks, markers, colored pencils, and poster boards as outlined in the Vision Board Supplies List.
  • Arrange desks in a circle or small groups to facilitate discussion and sharing.

Step 1

Introduction

5 minutes

  • Use the Goal Setting Slide Deck to define what a goal is and why it matters.
  • Ask students to think of one personal and one academic goal they'd like to achieve this term.

Step 2

Teaching SMART Goals

10 minutes

  • Present the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) on the slide deck.
  • Distribute the SMART Goals Worksheet.
  • Guide students through drafting one SMART goal using worksheet prompts.

Step 3

Vision Board Activity

20 minutes

  • Explain how vision boards reinforce goal visualization and motivation.
  • Provide each student with a poster board and art supplies.
  • Instruct students to cut images and words from magazines that represent their goals and arrange them on their boards.
  • Encourage creativity with markers and colored pencils.

Step 4

Reflection and Sharing

7 minutes

  • Pair students up to discuss their SMART goals and vision boards.
  • Invite volunteers to share one highlight from their partner’s board with the whole class.

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Assessment

3 minutes

  • Summarize key takeaways from the lesson.
  • Collect SMART Goals Worksheets for formative assessment of student understanding.
  • Encourage students to display their vision boards in a personal space and set future check-in dates to track progress.
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Slide Deck

The Art of Goal Setting

By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
• Define what a goal is
• Understand why setting goals matters
• Create SMART goals
• Design a vision board to visualize your goals

Welcome students! Today, we’ll explore The Art of Goal Setting. Use this slide to introduce the lesson objectives and set expectations.

What is a Goal?

• A goal is a desired outcome you plan and commit to achieve.
• Goals give direction and purpose to your actions.

Explain that a goal is more than a wish—it requires planning and commitment.

Why Set Goals?

• Provides focus and motivation
• Helps you measure progress
• Builds self-confidence and self-efficacy
• Encourages responsibility and planning

Discuss each benefit and invite a couple of quick examples from students.

Introducing SMART Goals

SMART stands for:
• Specific: Clear and detailed
• Measurable: Trackable progress
• Achievable: Realistic and within reach
• Relevant: Meaningful to you
• Time-bound: Has a deadline

Grab your SMART Goals Worksheet now!

Introduce the SMART framework. Point students to the worksheet for later use.

Specific & Measurable

Specific:
• Who? What? Where? Why?
Measurable:
• How will you know when it’s done?

Example:
“I want to read 10 pages of a book each day.”

Dive into “Specific” and “Measurable.” Ask students to reword a simple goal to make it specific and measurable.

Achievable & Relevant

Achievable:
• Do you have the time and resources?
Relevant:
• Does it align with your values and long-term plans?

Example:
“I will join the math club to improve my skills because I want to excel in problem-solving.”

Cover “Achievable” and “Relevant.” Encourage students to think about why a goal matters to them personally.

Time-Bound & Example Goal

Time-Bound:
• Set a clear deadline: by when?

Full Example SMART Goal:
“I will improve my math grade from a C to a B by the end of this term by completing all homework and practicing 30 minutes daily.”

Explain “Time-bound” and walk through the full SMART goal example.

Vision Board Activity

• Use magazines, newspapers, and art supplies to create a vision board that reflects your SMART goal.
• Supplies: poster boards, scissors, glue, markers. See Vision Board Supplies List.
• You have 20 minutes—be creative and have fun!

Introduce the vision board activity. Explain materials and process, then start the hands-on creation.

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Activity

Vision Board Challenge

Objective:
• Reinforce and visualize the SMART goal you drafted earlier to boost motivation and commitment.

Time: 20 minutes

Materials:

  • SMART Goals Worksheet
  • Poster boards
  • Magazines & newspapers
  • Scissors & glue sticks
  • Markers & colored pencils

Steps

  1. Review & Refine SMART Goal (5 minutes)

    • Pull out your SMART Goals Worksheet.
    • Read your draft goal silently.
    • Pair with a neighbor to check each SMART criterion:
      • Is it Specific?
      • Measurable?
      • Achievable?
      • Relevant?
      • Time-bound?
    • Make any quick edits on your worksheet.


  2. Vision Board Creation (14 minutes)

    • Spread out your poster board and art supplies.
    • Flip through magazines/newspapers to find images, words, or colors that represent your goal.
    • Cut and arrange these elements on your board. Think about layout:
      • Place your written SMART goal in the center.
      • Surround it with visual reminders (pictures, phrases) that inspire you.
    • Use markers or colored pencils to add captions, borders, or motivational quotes.





  3. Clean Up & Next Steps (1 minute)

    • Tidy your workspace. Return magazines, scissors, and glue sticks.
    • Leave your vision board on your desk for the Reflection & Sharing phase.


      Teachers may display these boards in the classroom or have students photograph them for personal use and future check-ins.
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