Lesson Plan
Your Goal, Your App!
Students will design and create a personalized paper ‘app’ tracker to monitor their daily progress toward a weekly goal, developing essential self-management skills.
This lesson teaches students the importance of tracking progress and holding themselves accountable. By creating their own tracking ‘app,’ they gain a tangible tool for developing executive function skills and celebrating small wins on their way to achieving bigger goals.
Audience
2nd Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Hands-on creation of a paper app tracker, guided practice, and peer interaction.
Materials
Small sheets of paper (e.g., sticky notes, index cards), Construction paper or cardstock for the ‘phone’ base, Scissors, Glue sticks, Colored pencils, markers, or crayons, Goal Tracker Teacher Script, Tracker Foldable, Tracker Completeness Rubric, Goal Check-in Warm-Up, and App Reflection Cool-Down
Prep
Prepare Materials
15 minutes
- Gather all necessary art supplies: small sheets of paper (sticky notes or index cards work well for the ‘app screens’), construction paper or cardstock for the ‘phone’ base, scissors, glue sticks, and coloring supplies.
* Print copies of the Tracker Foldable and Tracker Completeness Rubric for each student.
* Review the Goal Tracker Teacher Script to familiarize yourself with the lesson flow and discussion points.
* Prepare a sample completed ‘app’ tracker to show students as an example.
* Print copies of the Goal Check-in Warm-Up and App Reflection Cool-Down as needed.
Step 1
Introduce Tracker (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Begin with the Goal Check-in Warm-Up activity.
* Use the Goal Tracker Teacher Script to introduce the concept of setting goals and tracking progress. Ask students if they've ever tried to achieve something big and how they kept track.
* Explain how a ‘tracker’ or ‘app’ can help break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps.
* Show your pre-made sample ‘app’ tracker as an example.
Step 2
Build Foldable (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Distribute the Tracker Foldable template and art supplies.
* Guide students through cutting out and assembling their paper ‘phone’ and ‘app screens.’ Refer to the instructions on the Tracker Foldable.
* Emphasize that this is their personal tracking device.
Step 3
Set Indicators (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Instruct students to choose a weekly goal (e.g., reading for 15 minutes each day, practicing math facts, helping with chores).
* On their ‘app screens,’ have them write down their goal and specific daily actions they will take. For instance, if the goal is ‘Read 15 min,’ they might write ‘Day 1: Read 15 min.’
* Explain that they will color in or mark an ‘app screen’ each day they complete the action.
Step 4
Practice Log (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Have students practice logging an imaginary day’s progress. Ask: "Imagine it's Monday afternoon and you just finished your daily goal. What would you do on your app?" Reinforce the concept of monitoring.
* Facilitate peer coaching using instructions from the Goal Tracker Teacher Script. Have students explain their goal and app to a partner, giving each other constructive feedback and encouragement.
Step 5
Cool Down & Wrap Up (5 minutes)
5 minutes
- Conclude the lesson with the App Reflection Cool-Down activity. Have students reflect on how their app will help them reach their goal.
* Remind students to keep their apps in a safe, visible place and to use them daily. Collect cool-down responses as an exit ticket.
Slide Deck
Welcome! What's Your Goal?
Today, we're becoming 'Goal Architects' and building our own tracking app!
Welcome students and introduce the day's lesson. Ask a few students what a 'goal' is to activate prior knowledge.
What's a Goal?
A goal is something you want to achieve! Like:
- Learning a new skill
- Reading a book
- Helping out at home
How do you keep track of your goals?
Explain what a goal is and why tracking it is important. Connect it to something they might already do, like tracking points in a game.
Be a Goal Tracker!
To reach a big goal, we can break it into smaller steps.
A 'tracker' or 'app' helps us remember our steps and see our progress!
I made one like this! (Show example)
Introduce the idea of a 'tracker' or 'app' to help with goals. Show your prepared example of the paper app.
Build Your Own Tracker App!
Today, you'll make your own 'app' on paper.
It will help you track your amazing progress.
Materials:
- Paper 'phone' template
- 'App screen' squares
- Scissors, glue, colors
Explain the project: building their own paper app. Go over the materials they will be using.
Step 1: Get Ready to Build
First, carefully cut out your paper 'phone' base.
Then, cut out all your 'app screen' squares.
Follow the instructions on your Tracker Foldable!
Guide students through the first steps of cutting and folding, referencing the Tracker Foldable.
Step 2: Assemble Your App
Glue one edge of each 'app screen' to the inside of your 'phone.'
Stack them neatly so they can flip like pages.
Make sure they are secure!
Explain how to attach the 'app screens' to create a flip-book style tracker.
Step 3: Choose Your Goal
What goal do you want to work on for ONE week?
Think about something you want to do every day.
Write your big goal at the top of your first app screen.
Help students think about a realistic weekly goal and how to break it down into daily actions.
Step 4: Plan Your Days
On each 'app screen,' write the day (Monday, Tuesday, etc.) and the small action you will do for your goal that day.
Example: 'Monday: Read 15 min.'
Instruct students to write their daily actions on each 'app screen' for the week.
Step 5: Track Your Progress!
Each day, when you complete your action, you will mark that 'app screen.'
You can color it in, draw a star, or put a checkmark!
This shows you how well you are doing!
Explain how they will mark their progress daily. Reinforce the concept of monitoring.
Peer Coaching Time!
Share your app with a partner!
Explain your goal and how your app will help you.
Give your partner a compliment and one helpful idea!
Facilitate peer coaching. Have students explain their goal and app to a partner, giving each other constructive feedback and encouragement.
Great Work, Goal Trackers!
You've built an awesome tool to help you reach your goals!
Remember to use it every day.
We'll check in on your progress later!
Conclude the lesson by reviewing the rubric and encouraging students to use their trackers. Explain the Cool Down.
Script
Goal Tracker Teacher Script
Warm Up (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Good morning, everyone! Let's start our day with a quick check-in. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 'I'm still dreaming of my pillow' and 5 means 'I'm ready to conquer the world!', how are you feeling today? Show me with your fingers!"
Wait for responses and acknowledge a few.
Teacher: "Awesome! Now, think about something you want to get better at, or something you want to achieve this week. Maybe it's reading for 15 minutes every night, or remembering to make your bed in the morning, or practicing your math facts. Turn to a partner and share your goal. What is it that you want to achieve?"
Introduce Tracker (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, future achievers! We just talked about some amazing goals. But how do we actually reach those goals? Sometimes big goals can feel really big and overwhelming, right? Like climbing a huge mountain!"
Teacher: "Well, today, we're going to become 'Goal Architects' and build our own special tool to help us reach those goals. We're going to create a paper 'app' – just like an app on a phone or tablet, but this one you build yourself! This app will help you keep track of your daily progress towards a big weekly goal."
Teacher: "Has anyone ever tried to achieve something big, like learning to ride a bike or getting really good at a game? How did you keep track of your practice?"
Allow a few students to share.
Teacher: "That's right! Sometimes we keep it in our heads, sometimes we tell someone, but having a special way to see our progress can make a huge difference. A 'tracker' or 'app' helps us break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Look at the example I made!"
Show your pre-made sample 'app' tracker. Flip through the 'screens' and explain briefly how it works.
Build Foldable (10 minutes)
Teacher: "Now it's YOUR turn to become an app designer! I'm going to hand out these templates and supplies. Each of you will get a template for your paper 'phone' and some 'app screens.'"
Distribute Tracker Foldable templates, scissors, glue sticks, and coloring supplies.
Teacher: "First, carefully cut out your paper 'phone' base. This will be the cover for your app. Then, cut out all the smaller rectangle 'app screen' squares. Take your time, neat cutting makes a great app!"
Walk around, assisting students with cutting. Refer to the instructions on the Tracker Foldable as you guide them.
Teacher: "Once you have your phone base and your app screens, you're going to glue them together. Take one 'app screen' and put a little glue on one of its short edges. Then, carefully glue it to the inside of your 'phone' base, at the top. You want them to stack neatly so they can flip like pages. Glue each screen on top of the previous one, along the same edge, so you create a little flip-book! This is YOUR personal tracking device!"
Demonstrate with your example. Guide students, ensuring they glue only one edge so the screens can be flipped.
Set Indicators (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Now for the fun part – personalizing your app! Think about that weekly goal you want to work on. It should be something you can do a little bit of each day. What is one goal you want to achieve by the end of this week?"
Give students about a minute to think. Ask a few to share their ideas with the class.
Teacher: "Great ideas! Now, at the very top of your first 'app screen,' write down your big weekly goal. Then, on each of your app screens, you're going to write the day of the week (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, etc.) and the small action you will do for your goal that specific day. For example, if your goal is 'Read for 15 minutes every day,' your app screen for Monday might say 'Monday: Read 15 min.'"
Write an example on the board. Walk around, helping students formulate their daily actions.
Practice Log (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Fantastic planning, everyone! Now, how will you use this app? Each day, after you complete your action for your goal, you will mark that day's 'app screen.' You can color in the whole square, draw a star, put a big checkmark, or even a happy face! This shows you, at a glance, how well you are doing and how close you are to reaching your weekly goal!"
Teacher: "Let's do a quick practice. Imagine it's Monday afternoon, and you just finished your daily goal action. What would you do on your app?"
Encourage students to demonstrate marking their Monday screen.
Teacher: "Excellent! This is called 'monitoring' your progress – you are watching how you do. It's a super important skill!"
Peer Coach (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Now, I want you to share your amazing app with a partner again. This time, explain your goal AND how your app will help you track it. After your partner shares, give them one compliment about their app or goal, and then one helpful idea about how they might use their tracker or refine their goal."
Pair students up and facilitate the sharing and coaching session. Circulate to listen and offer support.
Cool Down (5 minutes)
Teacher: "Alright, bring it back, Goal Architects! Before we wrap up, I want you to look at your beautifully made tracker app. On a small sticky note, write down one word that describes how your new app will help you reach your goal."
Collect sticky notes as an exit ticket.
Teacher: "You've built an awesome tool to help you reach your goals! Remember to keep your app somewhere you'll see it every day, and use it! We'll check in on your progress later in the week. Great work, everyone!"
Project Guide
Your Goal, Your App! Tracker Foldable Project Guide
Project Goal:
To create a personal, foldable paper "app" to help you track your progress toward a weekly goal.
Materials Needed:
- 1 "Phone Base" template (larger rectangle)
- 7 "App Screen" templates (smaller rectangles)
- Scissors
- Glue stick
- Colored pencils, markers, or crayons
Instructions:
Step 1: Cut Out Your App Parts
- Carefully cut out the large "Phone Base" rectangle. This will be the outside of your app.
- Next, cut out all 7 of the smaller "App Screen" rectangles. These will be the pages inside your app where you track your daily progress.
Step 2: Assemble Your App Screens
- Take one of your "App Screen" rectangles. Put a small line of glue on one of its shorter edges (about 1/4 inch wide).
- Carefully press this glued edge onto the inside top edge of your "Phone Base." Make sure it lines up nicely and is straight.
- Now, take your second "App Screen." Put glue on the same shorter edge as before. Glue this screen directly on top of the first screen you glued, lining up the edges perfectly.
- Repeat this for all 7 "App Screens," gluing them one on top of the other along the same edge. You should create a stack of pages that can flip open.
Step 3: Design Your App Cover
- Decorate the front of your "Phone Base"! You can draw a screen, buttons, or your favorite app icons. Give your Goal Tracker app a cool name!
Step 4: Set Up Your Goal Screens
- Open your app to the first "App Screen."
- At the very top, write down your BIG WEEKLY GOAL (e.g., "Read for 15 minutes daily," "Help with 3 chores daily").
- On each of the 7 "App Screens," write the day of the week, starting with Monday (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday).
- Below the day, write the specific daily action you will take for your goal. For example, if your goal is "Read for 15 minutes daily," on the Monday screen you would write: "Monday: Read for 15 minutes."
Step 5: Start Tracking!
- Each day, after you complete your daily action, open your app to that day's screen and mark it off! You can color in the whole screen, draw a star, make a checkmark, or draw a happy face. This shows you how awesome you are doing!
- Keep your app somewhere you will see it every day to remind you to track your progress!
Rubric
Goal Tracker App Completeness Rubric
Student Name: __________________________
Date: __________________________
Scoring Guide:
- 4 - Exceeds Expectations: Shows outstanding understanding and effort.
- 3 - Meets Expectations: Shows good understanding and effort.
- 2 - Partially Meets Expectations: Shows some understanding and effort, but needs improvement.
- 1 - Does Not Meet Expectations: Shows minimal understanding or effort.
Rubric Criteria:
| Criteria | 4 - Exceeds Expectations | 3 - Meets Expectations | 2 - Partially Meets Expectations | 1 - Does Not Meet Expectations | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| App Assembly | Phone base and 7 app screens are neatly cut, securely glued, and function perfectly as a flip-book. | Phone base and 7 app screens are cut and glued, functioning well as a flip-book. | Phone base and app screens are cut, but assembly is a bit messy or screens don't flip easily. | Phone base or app screens are missing, or assembly is incomplete/inaccurate. | |
| App Cover Design | App cover is creatively designed, decorated, and has a unique, relevant app name. | App cover is designed and decorated with an app name. | App cover has some design elements, but lacks detail or a clear app name. | App cover is blank or shows minimal effort in design. | |
| Weekly Goal (Screen 1) | A clear, specific, and realistic weekly goal is written on the first app screen. | A clear and specific weekly goal is written on the first app screen. | A weekly goal is present but is vague or difficult to achieve. | No weekly goal is written or is entirely unrelated to the activity. | |
| Daily Actions (Screens 2-7) | Each of the 6 remaining screens clearly lists the day of the week and a specific, actionable daily step towards the goal. | Each of the 6 remaining screens lists the day of the week and a daily step towards the goal. | Most screens list the day and an action, but some are missing or unclear. | Few or no daily actions are listed, or they are irrelevant/incomplete. | |
| Effort and Engagement | Demonstrates exceptional effort, enthusiasm, and active participation in all aspects of the project. | Demonstrates good effort and participates in the project activities. | Shows some effort, but participation is inconsistent or enthusiasm is low. | Shows minimal effort and disengagement from the project. |
Teacher Comments:
Total Score:
Warm Up
Goal Check-in Warm-Up
Instructions:
-
"Thumbs Up, Down, or Sideways" Check-in:
- Teacher: "Good morning, Goal Getters! Let's start with a quick check-in. On a scale of 1 to 5, where 1 means 'I'm still dreaming of my pillow' and 5 means 'I'm ready to conquer the world!', how are you feeling today? Show me with your fingers!"
- Allow time for students to respond. Acknowledge a few responses.
-
"My Weekly Wish" Partner Share:
- Teacher: "Now, I want you to quickly think about something you want to get better at, or something you want to achieve this week. It could be anything! Maybe it's reading for 15 minutes every night, or remembering to make your bed in the morning, or practicing your math facts without being asked."
- Teacher: "Turn to a partner and share your 'weekly wish' – what is one thing you want to achieve by the end of this week? Listen carefully to your partner's wish!"
- Allow 1-2 minutes for partner sharing. Bring the class back together.
Reflection Questions (Optional):
- What was a common theme in the goals you heard?
- Why do you think it's important to set goals for ourselves?
Cool Down
App Reflection Cool-Down
Instructions:
-
"One Word Wonder" Exit Ticket:
- Teacher: "Alright, Goal Architects! Look at the awesome paper tracker app you just created. You worked hard to design it and plan your goals."
- Teacher: "On the small sticky note I'm handing out (or a scrap piece of paper), write down one word that describes how your new app will help you reach your goal. Just one powerful word!"
- Distribute sticky notes or small papers. Give students 1-2 minutes to write.
-
Collect Responses:
- Teacher: "When you're done, please place your word on the designated spot (e.g., a chart paper, a basket by the door) as your exit ticket."
- Collect responses as students leave or transition to the next activity.
Extension (Optional):
- Have a few students share their one word and briefly explain why they chose it.