How-To Teach

GOAL SETTING

Research points to the significance of goal setting, showing that when students set goals early in their academic careers, they are more successful and it significantly reduces inequalities in achievement (Schippers, 2015).

Easy Steps

1 Identify Main Goal

Identify a main goal with your students for a specified period of time (1 quarter or term—no more than 8-9 weeks).

2 Record Term Goal

Have students record their goal under their “Term Goal” on the gold goals template (Page A) in their Organized Binder.

3 Discuss Strategies

Have a class discussion about strategies to accomplish this goal. Record these ideas on the board.

4 SET Sub-Goal

Direct students to select a strategy listed on the board and record it as their sub-goal below “Sub-Goal” on the template. (Their Sub-Goal helps them accomplish their Goal).

5 Plan of Attack

Instruct students cover up their Goal with a piece of paper or a book. Ask them to focus only on ways to accomplish their Sub-Goal.

6 ACTION Items

Finally, ask students what they can do everyday to help them accomplish their Sub-Goal. Have students record this action item below Daily Task on the template.

7 Reflection (end of term)

At the end of each goal period (quarter or term) ask students to reflect on their goals. Is there any evidence that they accomplished their goal or not?

8 Set Next Goal (end of term)

Ask students to complete the top portion of the next term box on the goals template before setting a new goal for the upcoming term.

Pro Tips

KEEP IT SINGULAR

Effective goal setting reveals a clear and straightforward plan of action. To set students up for success, keep their goals singular. Have students identify one Goal, one Sub-Goal, and one Daily Task.

REVISITING GOALS

While Steps 7 and 8 encourage students to reflect on their goals at the end of each term it is helpful to do so throughout the term as well. Ideal times to revisit goals can be at the start of each week, when a new unit packet is created (See Table of Contents (Page G) Guide), or on the day of an exam or due date for a larger assignment. The more frequently a student interacts with and revisits their goals the better.

ADJUSTMENTS AND CONSIDERATIONS

Encourage students to send regular reports on their goal-setting progress to someone they are close to. Revisiting goals often, daily even, in particular for younger students.

Incorporate student goals into IEPs and/or 504 Plans.

DIVE DEEPER

Learn more in Chapter 8 of Executive Functions for Every Classroom: Creating Safe and Predictable Learning Environments, Grades 3-12.