Setting goals comes naturally twice a year in a teacher’s life, in January and during back to school season. According to psychologists, there is a direct correlation between setting goals and success. Therefore, as teachers, it is important to assist students in determining their goals and learning how to meet them.
What are goals?
A goal is something that you want to achieve.
A goal should:
- have a personal meaning
- be time sensitive
Don’t be afraid to dream big when setting goals. However, with bigger goals, you may need to break them down into smaller tasks to help you achieve them.
Why should goal setting be an important classroom activity?
Teaching your students how to follow through with their New Year’s resolutions is important to learning. Students will walk away with the following:
- a sense of direction
- motivation
- an ability to see the bigger picture
With teacher assistance, students can understand how life is connected and how they can help control their future.
Strategies to Use in the Classroom:
Here are some different methods to use with your students:
- Write down your goals: Studies show that you are more likely to achieve a resolution by writing it down. Putting your plan to paper makes it seem more real and tangible. Grab this freebie to use with your students!
- Make your goals visible: Seeing your dreams reminds you of what you want to achieve. I love using these flipbooks with my students and hanging them around the classroom. Check it out here. (Updated through 2024)
- Working through obstacles: It’s never super easy, and we will always hit obstacles. Use the picture book Salt in His Shoes with students to remind them that even successful people, like Michael Jordan, encounter life obstacles. Salt in His Shoes is a beautiful picture book to use with your students to discuss the barriers we may face. Scroll down to access the activity I use with this book for FREE!
