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 the goals they plan to achieve.
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 a goal. However, with bigger goals, you may need to break them down into smaller goals to help you achieve them.
Why is goal setting an important classroom activity?
Teaching your students how to set goals is an important part of learning. Students will walk away with:
- a sense of direction
- motivation
- an ability to see the bigger picture
With teacher assistance, students can understand how life is connected, along with the ability to understand how they can help to control their future.
How to Set Goals with Your Students
Here are some different methods to use to set goals with your students:
- Write down your goals: Studies show that you are more likely to achieve a goal by writing it down. Putting your plan to paper makes it seem more real and tangible. Check out this freebie that lets your students write down their goals by clicking here.
- 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.
- Working through obstacles: Goals are never super easy, and we will always hit obstacles. I love using this picture book with my students to remind them that even successful people, like Michael Jordan, encountered obstacles in their life. Salt in His Shoes is a beautiful picture book to use with your students to discuss the barriers we face in meeting our goals. Scroll down to access the activity I use with this book for FREE!
