Lesson Plan
SMART Goals Lesson Plan
Students will learn to define and apply the SMART criteria (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) to set effective personal and academic goals.
Learning to set SMART goals helps students develop a clear roadmap for success, build self-efficacy, and effectively manage their time and resources.
Audience
10th Grade Boys
Time
30 Minutes
Approach
Interactive instruction, group discussion, and hands-on application.
Materials
Prep
Review and Print Materials
10 minutes
- Review the SMART Goals Lesson Plan and all linked materials: SMART Goals Slide Deck, SMART Goal Worksheet, Goal Setting Activity Cards, SMART Scramble Game, Warm Up: Future Me, and Cool Down: My Mini-SMART Goal.
- Print enough copies of the SMART Goal Worksheet for each student.
- Print and cut out the Goal Setting Activity Cards.
- Prepare materials for the SMART Scramble Game (e.g., words written on individual slips of paper or whiteboard ready).
Step 1
Warm-Up: Future Me
5 minutes
Begin with the Warm Up: Future Me activity to get students thinking about their aspirations. Ask students to quickly jot down one thing they hope to achieve in the next year. This can be academic, personal, or related to a skill.
- Teacher asks: 'What is one thing you hope to achieve in the next year? This could be for school, sports, a hobby, or something personal. Take a minute to just jot it down.'
- Briefly discuss a few examples (volunteers only).
Step 2
Introduction to SMART Goals
5 minutes
Use the SMART Goals Slide Deck to introduce the concept of SMART goals. Explain that goal setting is an important life skill and that the SMART framework makes goals more attainable.
- Display Slide 1: 'Goal Getters: Are Your Goals SMART?'
- Display Slide 2: 'What makes a goal "SMART"?'
- Teacher says: 'We all have dreams and things we want to accomplish, right? But sometimes, those big dreams feel a little overwhelming, or we're not sure how to actually make them happen. Today, we're going to learn about a super helpful tool called SMART goals. It's a way to make your goals clear, focused, and much easier to achieve.'
Step 3
Diving into SMART
10 minutes
Continue with the SMART Goals Slide Deck to explain each component of SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) with examples relevant to 10th-grade boys.
- Display Slide 3: 'S is for Specific'
- Display Slide 4: 'M is for Measurable'
- Display Slide 5: 'A is for Achievable'
- Display Slide 6: 'R is for Relevant'
- Display Slide 7: 'T is for Time-bound'
- For each letter, ask for student examples or quick checks for understanding.
Step 4
Goal Setting Activity Cards
5 minutes
Divide students into small groups (2-3 students). Distribute the Goal Setting Activity Cards. Each group will pick one card and work together to transform the goal on the card into a SMART goal.
- Teacher says: 'Now, let's put what we've learned into practice! In your small groups, you'll get a card with a goal idea. Your challenge is to work together and make that goal SMART. Think about each letter and how you can make the goal clearer and more actionable.'
Step 5
SMART Scramble Game (Optional if time allows)
Self-paced, integrates into previous step
If groups finish early, or as a quick transition, play the SMART Scramble Game. This can be done by having groups race to correctly assemble pre-written SMART goal components, or by having them create their own scrambled goal for another group to solve. This can be integrated as an extension to the activity cards.
- Teacher says: 'For those who finish early, or as a fun challenge, try the SMART Scramble! I'll give you some mixed-up words, and you'll need to create a SMART goal from them.' (Provide pre-scrambled goal components or assign groups to create one for another group).
Step 6
Worksheet Application
Remaining time, or assign for homework
Distribute the SMART Goal Worksheet for individual practice. Students will choose one of their own goals (perhaps from the warm-up) and apply the SMART framework, or revise a given non-SMART goal.
- Teacher says: 'Now it's time to apply this to your own goals, or to practice refining some common goals. You'll use this SMART Goal Worksheet to make sure your goals are truly SMART.'
Step 7
Cool Down: My Mini-SMART Goal
2 minutes
Conclude the lesson with the Cool Down: My Mini-SMART Goal exit ticket. Students will write down one small, immediate SMART goal they can set for themselves.
- Teacher says: 'Before you go, take a moment to set one mini-SMART goal for yourself for the rest of today or tomorrow. It can be something super simple, but make it SMART!'
Slide Deck
Goal Getters: Are Your Goals SMART?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of goal setting and why it's important for their future.
What makes a goal "SMART"?
A SMART goal is a framework used to help you set effective goals. It helps you clarify your ideas, focus your efforts, use your time and resources productively, and increase your chances of achieving your goals.
Explain that SMART is an acronym and we'll break down each letter.
S is for Specific
- Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Why is this goal important?
Provide examples: 'I want to get fit' vs. 'I want to run a 5K race in 3 months.' Emphasize clarity.
M is for Measurable
- Measurable: How will you know when you've achieved your goal? What metrics will you use to track progress? How much, how many?
Examples: 'Read more books' vs. 'Read 5 new books by the end of the semester.' Stress the importance of quantifiable progress.
A is for Achievable
- Achievable: Is this goal realistic and attainable given your resources and time? Do you have the skills, or can you develop them?
Discuss the difference between challenging and impossible. 'I want to score 100 on every test' vs. 'I want to improve my math grade by 10% this semester.'
R is for Relevant
- Relevant: Is this goal important to you? Does it align with your values and long-term objectives? Is it the right time for this goal?
Connect goals to student's lives and aspirations. 'Get good grades' vs. 'Improve my GPA to get into my top college choice.'
T is for Time-bound
- Time-bound: What is the deadline for this goal? When will you start and when will you finish? Having a target date creates urgency.
Highlight the need for a clear endpoint. 'Learn to play guitar' vs. 'Be able to play three songs on the guitar by summer break.'
Putting it All Together
A non-SMART goal: 'I want to be a better student.'
A SMART goal: 'I will improve my English grade from a B to an A- by the end of the current quarter by studying for 30 minutes each night and attending one after-school tutoring session per week.'
Review an example with students, pointing out each SMART component.
Your Turn!
Let's make some goals SMART! Get ready to work with your groups.
Transition to the Goal Setting Activity Cards.
Reflect & Act
Use your new SMART goal superpowers to achieve your dreams!
Encourage students to apply the framework to their personal goals.
Warm Up
Warm Up: Future Me
Take a moment to think about your future. It could be next month, next year, or even a few years from now. What is one thing you hope to achieve? It can be anything – academic, athletic, personal, or a new skill you want to learn.
Write down your goal below. Don't worry about making it "SMART" yet – just get your idea down!
My Future Goal:
Activity
Goal Setting Activity Cards
Instructions: In your groups, pick a card. Discuss the goal and work together to make it a SMART goal. Be ready to share!
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## Card 1: Get Stronger
Current Goal: I want to get stronger.
Make it SMART:
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## Card 2: Improve My Grades
Current Goal: I want to improve my grades in school.
Make it SMART:
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## Card 3: Learn a New Skill
Current Goal: I want to learn how to code.
Make it SMART:
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## Card 4: Save Money
Current Goal: I want to save some money.
Make it SMART:
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## Card 5: Be More Organized
Current Goal: I want to be more organized with my schoolwork.
Make it SMART:
Game
SMART Scramble Game
Instructions: Your teacher will give you a set of scrambled words or phrases. Work with your group to arrange them into a complete and effective SMART goal!
Example Scramble:
learn / guitar / 3 songs / by July / practice daily / be able to play
Example SMART Goal: I will be able to play 3 songs on the guitar by July by practicing daily.
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## Round 1 Scramble Words:
workout / 3 times a week / for 30 minutes / to improve my fitness / by end of month / at the gym
Your SMART Goal:
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## Round 2 Scramble Words:
study / for math test / score 85% / next Friday / after school / 1 hour / everyday
Your SMART Goal:
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## Round 3 Scramble Words:
read / one book / this month / by J.R.R. Tolkien / during free time / to expand my vocabulary
Your SMART Goal:
Worksheet
SMART Goal Worksheet
Name: _________________________ Date: _______________
## Part 1: Make Your Own SMART Goal
Think about a goal you want to achieve (from the warm-up, or a new one!). Use the prompts below to make it SMART.
My Goal Idea:
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S - Specific: What exactly do you want to achieve? Who is involved? Where will it happen? Why is it important?
M - Measurable: How will you track your progress? How will you know when you've reached it? (e.g., how much, how many, how often?)
A - Achievable: Is this goal realistic and possible for you to achieve? What steps will you take?
R - Relevant: Is this goal important to you right now? Does it fit with your other priorities or long-term dreams?
T - Time-bound: What is your deadline for this goal? When will you start and when will you finish?
My COMPLETE SMART Goal (Write it all out!):
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## Part 2: Revise a Non-SMART Goal
Read the goal below. It's not very SMART! Revise it to make it Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
Original Goal: "I want to get better at basketball."
My SMART Revision:
Cool Down
Cool Down: My Mini-SMART Goal
Before you leave, set one small, immediate SMART goal for yourself. This could be something you want to achieve by the end of today or tomorrow. Make it simple, but make it SMART!
My Mini-SMART Goal: