lenny

Tiny Wins Goals

user image

Lesson Plan

Teacher Guide SMART Goals

Students will craft a specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound micro-goal for the week, break it into two actionable steps, and schedule one accountability check.

Setting small, concrete goals builds student motivation and confidence, establishes productive habits, and gives them a clear path to track progress and follow through.

Audience

9th Grade

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Model SMART, scaffold planning, peer accountability

Materials

Prep

Teacher Prep

10 minutes

Step 1

Do Now

5 minutes

  • Distribute Do Now What’s One Change.
  • Prompt: “Think of one small thing you’d like to improve this week.”
  • Students jot down their idea and briefly share with a neighbor.

Step 2

Teach SMART Goals

7 minutes

  • Project Slides Tiny Wins. Walk through each SMART component:
    • Specific: Clear target;
    • Measurable: How you’ll know you’ve succeeded;
    • Achievable: Realistic given your resources;
    • Relevant: Why it matters;
    • Time-Bound: When you’ll finish.
  • Model by crafting a goal aloud, annotating the slide.
  • Field 1–2 student suggestions and refine together.

Step 3

Build Your Ladder

8 minutes

  • Hand out Goal Ladder Builder.
  • Explain: Each rung is an actionable step toward your goal.
  • Students identify two clear next steps (rungs) and record them.
  • Circulate, prompt clarity (e.g., “How will you do that? When?”).

Step 4

SMART Goal Planner

7 minutes

  • Distribute SMART Goal Planner.
  • Students transfer their ladder steps into the planner, filling all SMART fields.
  • Introduce peer accountability: have them choose a buddy and note who will check on them and when.
  • Encourage them to complete Why This Goal Matters to deepen commitment.

Step 5

Exit Ticket

3 minutes

  • Give out Exit Ticket Accountability Buddy.
  • Students write their goal, two actions, and accountability check commitment.
  • Collect or have pairs exchange as a reminder.
lenny
0 educators
use Lenny to create lessons.

No credit card needed

Slide Deck

Tiny Wins: Building Momentum with Micro-Goals

9th Grade Life Skills
Learning Objective: Write one SMART micro-goal for the week, identify two actions, and set one accountability check.

Introduce the lesson: Tiny Wins. State learning objective: Students will write one SMART micro-goal for the week, identify two actions, and set one accountability check. Emphasize how small steps build motivation and habits.

Do Now: One Small Change

Use Do Now What’s One Change.

Think of one small thing you’d like to improve this week. Write it down and share with a neighbor.

Distribute the Do Now handout. Give students 5 minutes to think of one small change and share with a neighbor.

What Makes a SMART Goal?

• Specific: Clear target
• Measurable: Know when it’s done
• Achievable: Realistic given your resources
• Relevant: Meaningful to you
• Time-Bound: Set a deadline

Explain each SMART component with brief examples. Ask students to give quick real-life illustrations.

SMART Goal Example

By Friday, I will read one chapter of a book each evening for 20 minutes.

• Specific: Read one chapter
• Measurable: 20 minutes per evening
• Achievable: I have books at home
• Relevant: Improves my reading habit
• Time-Bound: Each evening this week

Model a SMART goal step by step. Annotate each element on the slide so students see the connection.

Refine a Student Example

Share your goal idea aloud. Let’s work together to make it SMART.

Invite 1–2 student suggestions. Write the raw idea on board and guide students to refine it into SMART format.

Build Your Goal Ladder

Grab your Goal Ladder Builder.

List two clear next steps (rungs) that move you toward your goal.

Hand out the Goal Ladder Builder. Explain that each rung is an actionable next step toward the goal.

Complete Your SMART Goal Planner

Use your SMART Goal Planner.

• Transfer your ladder steps
• Fill in each SMART criterion
• Note your accountability buddy and check-in time

Distribute the SMART Goal Planner. Instruct students to transfer their ladder steps, fill in all SMART fields, and choose an accountability buddy.

Next Steps & Accountability

• Exchange Exit Ticket Accountability Buddy with your buddy.
• Schedule your check-in time.
• Track and celebrate your tiny wins!

Explain the exit ticket process and wrap up the session. Encourage students to follow through and celebrate small wins.

lenny

Warm Up

Do Now: What’s One Change?

Today, you’ll start by identifying one small thing you’d like to improve this week. It could be about schoolwork, habits, or something personal. Then you’ll share your idea with a classmate to get started on accountability.

  1. My one small change this week is:






  1. Why this change matters to me:






  1. Find a neighbor, share your idea, and write their name below:

Accountability Buddy: ___________________________

After sharing, give each other one quick suggestion for making this change easier to do.

lenny
lenny

Activity

Goal Ladder Builder

Below is a visual way to map out the two key steps (rungs) you need to take to climb up to your SMART goal.

  1. My SMART Goal:






  1. Goal Ladder (draw a simple ladder or use this as a template):[ My Goal ]
    | |
    Rung 2: _________________________
    | |
    Rung 1: _________________________
    | |
    [ Start Here ]
  2. Action Details

Rung 1 Action: _________________________

  • How will I do this? ____________________________________


  • When will I do it? ____________________________________



Rung 2 Action: _________________________

  • How will I do this? ____________________________________


  • When will I do it? ____________________________________



Use this ladder to keep your goal in sight and remind yourself of the small, achievable steps you’ll take this week!

lenny
lenny

Worksheet

SMART Goal Planner

Use this planner to turn your idea into a SMART goal, break it into two clear actions, and set up an accountability check.

  1. My SMART Goal:






  1. Specific: What exactly do I want to accomplish?






  1. Measurable: How will I track progress and know when I’m done?






  1. Achievable: What resources or support will help me succeed?






  1. Relevant: Why does this goal matter to me? (Consider completing Why This Goal Matters for deeper reflection.)






  1. Time-Bound: By when will I achieve this goal?



Next Steps (Actions)

Action 1:

  • What exactly will I do?




  • When will I do it?



Action 2:

  • What exactly will I do?




  • When will I do it?



Accountability Check

Accountability Buddy: ___________________________

Check-In Date & Time: ___________________________

Keep this planner where you can see it, follow your steps, and celebrate each tiny win you achieve!

lenny
lenny

Journal

Why This Goal Matters

Use this journal prompt to explore the deeper reasons behind your SMART goal. Reflecting on motivation and personal relevance will help you stay committed.

  1. Why is this goal important to me? What personal values or priorities does it connect to?






  1. How will achieving this goal impact my daily life or long-term aspirations?






  1. What obstacles or challenges might I face while working toward this goal? Why might it be hard to stay committed?






  1. What strengths, habits, or resources can I use to overcome these obstacles?






  1. When I reach this goal, how will I know I’ve succeeded? How will I celebrate or reward my progress?






Keep this reflection where you can see it—revisit your answers whenever you need a reminder of why your tiny win matters.

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

Exit Ticket: Accountability Commitment

Use this quick exit ticket to capture your SMART goal, next steps, and accountability plan. Keep it handy as a reminder of your tiny wins!

  1. My SMART Goal:






  1. Action Step 1:






  1. Action Step 2:






  1. Accountability Buddy:






  1. Check-In Date & Time:






Share this with your buddy before you leave, and schedule a reminder for your check-in. Celebrate each tiny win along the way!

lenny
lenny