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Your Year, Your Way!

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Lesson Plan

Your Year, Your Way!

Students will identify and articulate personal goals across academic, social-emotional, and personal wellness domains for the upcoming school year.

Setting clear and balanced goals provides direction, motivation, and a framework for personal growth and success, helping students navigate the challenges and opportunities of 9th grade.

Audience

9th Grade Students

Time

30 minutes

Approach

Reflection, discussion, and practical goal-setting.

Materials

Google Slides presentation Your Year, Your Way Slide Deck, Goal Setting Worksheet My Goals Ahead Worksheet, and Pens/Pencils

Prep

Preparation Steps

10 minutes

Step 1

Warm-Up: The Year Ahead (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Display the first slide of the Your Year, Your Way Slide Deck.
    - Begin with a quick poll or show of hands: "How many of you have thought about what you want to achieve this school year?"
    - Ask students to briefly share one word or a short phrase about how they feel about the new school year.
    - Introduce the concept of goal setting as a roadmap for the year.

Step 2

Introduction to Goal Setting (7 minutes)

7 minutes

  • Present slides 2-4 of the Your Year, Your Way Slide Deck, explaining what goals are and why they are important (e.g., provide direction, increase motivation, measure progress).
    - Introduce the three domains for goal setting: Academic, Social-Emotional, and Personal Wellness.
    - Briefly explain each domain with examples relevant to 9th graders.

Step 3

Individual Goal Setting (10 minutes)

10 minutes

  • Distribute the My Goals Ahead Worksheet.
    - Guide students through the worksheet using slides 5-7 of the Your Year, Your Way Slide Deck.
    - Instruct students to brainstorm and write down at least one goal for each of the three domains.
    - Encourage them to think about small, actionable steps they can take to achieve these goals.
    - Circulate around the room to offer support and answer questions.

Step 4

Share and Reflect (5 minutes)

5 minutes

  • Ask for a few volunteers to share one goal they set and why it's important to them.
    - Facilitate a brief discussion: "What was challenging about setting these goals?" or "How do you think setting these goals will help you this year?"
    - Emphasize that these goals are personal roadmaps and can be revisited and adjusted throughout the year.

Step 5

Wrap-Up: Looking Forward (3 minutes)

3 minutes

  • Display the final slide of the Your Year, Your Way Slide Deck.
    - Remind students that their goals are living documents and can evolve.
    - Encourage them to keep their worksheets somewhere they will see them regularly.
    - End with an encouraging statement about the potential for a great school year.
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Slide Deck

Your Year, Your Way!

A Roadmap for a Successful and Fulfilling School Year!

Welcome students to the start of the year! Ask them to reflect on the title and what 'Your Year, Your Way' might mean to them. This sets an empowering tone.

What are Goals, Anyway?

What are they?

  • A desired result or outcome that a person plans to achieve.
  • Like a target you aim for!

Why set them?

  • Provide direction and focus.
  • Increase motivation and effort.
  • Help you track progress and celebrate achievements.

Introduce the concept of goals. Explain that goals are like a map that helps us get where we want to go. Ask students to share briefly what they think a 'goal' is.

Three Key Areas for Your Goals

We'll focus on goals that help you grow in three important parts of your life:

  1. Academic Goals: How you want to learn and perform in school.
  2. Social-Emotional Goals: How you want to grow as a person and in your relationships.
  3. Personal Wellness Goals: How you want to take care of your mind and body.

Explain the three main categories we'll focus on. Emphasize that a well-rounded year includes all three, not just academics.

What Do These Look Like?

Academic Examples:

  • Improve my grade in Science to a B+.
  • Complete all homework assignments on time.
  • Ask at least one question in each class per week.

Social-Emotional Examples:

  • Join a new club or activity.
  • Practice active listening when friends are talking.
  • Learn to manage stress by taking short breaks.

Personal Wellness Examples:

  • Get 8 hours of sleep most nights.
  • Try a new healthy snack each week.
  • Find a physical activity I enjoy and do it regularly.

Give specific examples for 9th graders to help them understand each category better. Encourage them to think about what these might look like for them.

Time to Set Your Goals!

Now it's your turn to think about your year.

  • Take out your My Goals Ahead Worksheet.
  • Brainstorm at least one goal for each of the three areas.
  • Make them realistic and meaningful to you!

Explain that the worksheet will help them organize their thoughts. Guide them to select at least one goal per category.

What Are Your First Steps?

A goal is great, but how will you get there?

  • For each goal, think about 1-2 small, actionable steps you can take to get started.

    Example: Goal: Improve Math grade. Step 1: Attend extra help once a week. Step 2: Review notes for 15 minutes before each test.

  • Write these steps down on your worksheet.

Emphasize making goals actionable. A goal without steps is just a wish. Circulate and assist students.

Your Roadmap to a Great Year!

You've created your own personalized roadmap!

  • These goals are for you and your growth.
  • Keep your worksheet somewhere you'll see it often.
  • Remember, it's okay for goals to change or adapt as the year goes on.

Let's make this your best year yet!

Conclude by reiterating the power of goal setting. Encourage them to keep their goals visible and review them periodically. Ask for a few volunteers to share one goal.

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Worksheet

My Goals Ahead Worksheet

Name: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________

Your Year, Your Way!

The start of a new school year is a perfect time to think about what you want to achieve! Setting goals helps you focus your energy and make the most of your 9th-grade experience. We're going to set goals in three important areas: Academic, Social-Emotional, and Personal Wellness.

1. Academic Goal

This goal is about your learning and performance in school. What do you want to achieve in your classes or with your study habits?

My Academic Goal:






Steps I will take to achieve this goal:







2. Social-Emotional Goal

This goal is about how you want to grow as a person, how you interact with others, and how you manage your feelings. What social or emotional skill do you want to develop?

My Social-Emotional Goal:






Steps I will take to achieve this goal:







3. Personal Wellness Goal

This goal is about taking care of your physical and mental health outside of academics and social life. What do you want to do to maintain your well-being?

My Personal Wellness Goal:






Steps I will take to achieve this goal:







Reflection

What is one thing you are most excited about for the upcoming school year, and how might these goals help you achieve it?






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Your Year, Your Way! • Lenny Learning