English

Oral Language 3.1, 4.1, 5.1

Writing 3.10, 4.7, 5.8

Setting a Goal

The purpose of this activity is to help students focus on the future and understand the importance of planning, action, and evaluation in reaching a goal.

Steps To Complete the Activity

Define a goal as something one intends to do or achieve.

Explain that people set goals as a way of organizing priorities and managing time.

Introduce a variety of goal statements such as "Raise my math grade one letter grade," "Buy a new CD," and "Learn the basics of tennis."

Have students

• As practice, brainstorm specific strategies to accomplish each goal, discuss obstacles they might encounter, and determine ways to overcome the obstacles. Emphasize that situations sometimes make it necessary to modify goals.
• Set an individual goal that will take a month to complete. The goal must be realistic and be something the student can share with the class. Develop objectives and strategies for meeting the goal (information to gather or action to take to meet each objective, resources needed, and a time line).
• Evaluate the goal each week to determine progress made. Keep a log of actions taken, obstacles encountered, and problems solved.
• At the end of the month, report on success in reaching goals.
• As a class, compile a list of criteria for effective goal statements and do’s and don’ts for goal setting.
• As individuals, set a long-term goal (for a year or more in the future), writing a goal statement, objectives, and strategies.