Lesson Plan
Your Goal, Your Game!
Students will learn the SMART goal-setting framework and apply it to create their own short-term, achievable goals.
Understanding how to set effective goals empowers students to take control of their learning and personal development, leading to greater success and self-confidence in high school and beyond.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive presentation, guided reflection, and practical application of the SMART framework.
Materials
Smart Goals Slide Deck (#smart-goals-slide-deck), Goal Getter Worksheet (#goal-getter-worksheet), Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small (#dream-big-start-small-warm-up), and Cool-Down: My Next Step (#my-next-step-cool-down)
Prep
Review Materials
10 minutes
- Review the Smart Goals Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Goal Getter Worksheet for each student.
- Ensure projector and computer are ready for the slide deck presentation.
- Review the Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small and Cool-Down: My Next Step.
Step 1
Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small
5 minutes
- Distribute the Warm-Up: Dream Big, Start Small worksheet.
- Ask students to write down one big dream and one small step they could take towards it.
- Briefly discuss a few examples as a class to get everyone thinking about goals.
Step 2
Introduction to SMART Goals
10 minutes
- Present the Smart Goals Slide Deck starting with the title slide.
- Explain what a goal is and why it's important.
- Introduce the SMART acronym (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) using the slides.
- Go through each component of SMART, providing clear examples and checking for understanding.
Step 3
Apply SMART Goals: Goal Getter Worksheet
10 minutes
- Distribute the Goal Getter Worksheet.
- Guide students through the process of developing one short-term personal or academic SMART goal using the worksheet.
- Circulate around the room to provide individual support and feedback.
- Encourage students to share their goals with a partner if time permits.
Step 4
Cool-Down: My Next Step
5 minutes
- Distribute the Cool-Down: My Next Step exit ticket.
- Ask students to write down one thing they learned about goal setting and their very next action step.
- Collect the cool-down tickets as students leave to assess understanding.
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Slide Deck
Your Goal, Your Game!
Setting SMART Goals for Success
- What's a goal?
- Why do we set them?
- How can we make them actually happen?
Welcome students and introduce the topic of goal setting. Explain that today's lesson will help them learn a powerful way to achieve their dreams.
What's a Goal, Anyway?
A goal is something you want to achieve or do in the future.
It's like a target you're aiming for!
- Finish a book?
- Learn a new skill?
- Improve your grades?
- Make a sports team?
Ask students what they think a 'goal' is. Guide them towards the idea of a desired outcome or something you want to achieve. Emphasize that goals give us direction.
Why Set Goals? (It's More Than Just Wishing!)
- Motivation: Goals give you a reason to start and keep going.
- Direction: They help you focus your energy.
- Success: People with clear goals are more likely to achieve them.
- Growth: Reaching goals helps you learn and get better.
Discuss why goal setting is important beyond just achieving things. Talk about motivation, focus, and overcoming challenges.
Meet SMART Goals!
To make sure your goals are powerful and achievable, we use the SMART framework!
Each letter stands for something important:
- S - Specific
- M - Measurable
- A - Achievable
- R - Relevant
- T - Time-bound
Introduce the SMART acronym. Explain that each letter stands for a characteristic that makes a goal effective.
S is for Specific
Your goal should be clear and well-defined.
- Instead of: "I want to get better at math."
- Try: "I want to improve my algebra test scores by 10%."
Ask yourself:
- What exactly do I want to achieve?
- Who is involved?
- Why is this important?
Explain 'Specific' with examples. Contrast vague goals with clear ones. Ask for student examples.
M is for Measurable
You need to be able to track your progress and know when you've reached your goal.
- Instead of: "I want to read more."
- Try: "I want to read one non-fiction book per month."
Ask yourself:
- How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?
Explain 'Measurable'. How will students know if they've met their goal? Emphasize numbers or clear indicators.
A is for Achievable
Your goal should be realistic and attainable.
- Instead of: "I want to learn fluent French in one week."
- Try: "I want to learn 20 new French vocabulary words each week."
Ask yourself:
- Is this goal possible for me to achieve?
- Do I have the resources/skills needed?
Explain 'Achievable'. It's important for goals to be challenging but realistic. Discuss the difference between 'easy' and 'achievable'.
R is for Relevant
Your goal should matter to you and align with your larger aspirations.
- Instead of: "I want to learn to juggle fire (when I'm terrified of fire)."
- Try: "I want to improve my public speaking skills to feel more confident in class presentations."
Ask yourself:
- Does this goal truly matter to me?
- Is this the right time for this goal?
- Does it align with my other goals?
Explain 'Relevant'. Goals should matter to the student and align with their values or other objectives.
T is for Time-bound
Your goal needs a clear deadline.
- Instead of: "I want to save money."
- Try: "I want to save $50 by the end of next month for a new video game."
Ask yourself:
- When will I achieve this goal?
- What can I do today, this week, or this month?
Explain 'Time-bound'. Stress the importance of deadlines to create urgency and focus.
Putting it All Together: SMART Example
Vague Goal: "I want to do better in school."
SMART Goal:
Specific: I want to raise my grade in English class.
Measurable: I will raise my English grade from a B to an A.
Achievable: I will attend after-school tutoring twice a week and complete all homework assignments.
Relevant: Improving my English grade will help me get into the college I want.
Time-bound: I will achieve this by the end of the semester.
Summarize SMART. Show a consolidated example and check for understanding.
Your Turn! Let's Get SMART!
Now it's time to set your own SMART goal!
Think about something you want to achieve, whether it's:
- Academic (e.g., a specific grade, mastering a skill)
- Personal (e.g., learning an instrument, improving a habit)
Use your Goal Getter Worksheet to guide you!
Transition to the worksheet. Explain that students will now apply what they've learned to create their own SMART goal.
Warm Up
Dream Big, Start Small!
Sometimes our biggest dreams can feel overwhelming, but every great journey starts with a single step.
1. What is one BIG dream or goal you have for yourself in the future (this year, high school, or beyond)?
2. What is ONE tiny, simple step you could take this week towards that big dream?
Worksheet
Goal Getter Worksheet: My SMART Goal
Now it's your turn to set a powerful goal using the SMART framework! Think about something you want to achieve, either academically or personally, in the near future (e.g., in the next few weeks or months).
My Goal Idea:
What's a general idea of something you want to achieve? Write it down first, then we'll make it SMART!
Making it SMART!
S - Specific
What EXACTLY do you want to achieve? Be super clear!
- What is the desired outcome?
- Who is involved (if anyone)?
- Why is this goal important to you?
M - Measurable
How will you know when you've reached your goal? How will you track your progress?
- How much? How many?
- What specific indicator will show you're making progress or have succeeded?
A - Achievable
Is this goal realistic for you to achieve? Do you have the resources and ability?
- Is it possible to achieve this goal within the given timeframe?
- What skills or resources do you need? Do you have them, or can you get them?
R - Relevant
Does this goal truly matter to you? Does it align with your values or other important objectives?
- Why is this goal important to you personally?
- Does it fit with your other priorities?
T - Time-bound
When will you achieve this goal? What is your deadline?
- What is the specific target date or timeframe?
- When will you start?
My Final SMART Goal Statement:
Combine all your SMART elements into one clear goal statement.
Cool Down
My Next Step: Cool-Down
1. What is one new thing you learned about setting goals today?
2. What is the very first action you will take to start working towards your SMART goal?
3. On a scale of 1-5, how confident are you that you can achieve the SMART goal you wrote today? (Circle one)
1 (Not confident) 2 3 (Somewhat confident) 4 5 (Very confident)