Back to School 2014: SMART Goals Lesson Plan Idea – Fit Armadillo

Back to School 2014: SMART Goals Lesson Plan Idea

Check out this #SMARTgoals #lessonplan idea #teachers #lessonplanning

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Note: There won't be a Teacher's Tone Up this year, but I do have free resources for teachers HERE and a group program for fans of all professions where I guarantee you'll drop 2 dress sizes in 10 weeks. Learn more about HERE. 

Have a wonderful school year and thank you for all you do!  ~Catherine

back to school

I’m not sure how it’s already August and time to prepare for going back to school, but it is and I’m actually quite excited for Back to School 2014.  It’s not because of the crazy traffic to come or getting a break from having my children at home (both of mine are staying home).  Instead, it’s because the first school session of The Teachers’ Tone Up is only a month away!   

The Teachers’ Tone Up is the 8 Week Online Group Fitness Program I created, because I believe that everyone, especially teachers, deserves fitness that fits their busy lifestyle.  While I love all of my clients, my teacher clients have a special place in my heart because I used to be one. I know first hand how hard it is for teachers to find time for fitness (or anything for that matter!). However, as someone who ran her first marathon during her first year of teaching, I know it can be done and it can actually help your teaching (don’t worry, my program is NOT a marathon plan, but a beginner’s fitness program that only requires a 30 min daily commitment).  I can’t wait to welcome the Teachers’ Tone Up Class of 2014!

That’s why I’ve decided to write up some special blog posts and to help my teacher friends get ready and inspired for the year ahead. Today’s post about SMART Goals is the first Back to School 2014 blog bonus and there are a LOT more to come by myself AND some amazing guest bloggers. I can’t wait for you to get all of their tips JUST for you and hope they help you have a great start to the 2014-2015 year!

Blog Bonus: SMART Goals Lesson Plan

This post is a lesson plan outline for a class on SMART goals.  It can be modified for any grade or subject and is a great way to start the year. The specific lesson outlined below was used in a secondary education classroom with success.  If you teach younger students and want to offer some ideas on how to modify it, please jump right in and do so in the comments section below the post!

Lesson Plan

Objectives:
1.) To be able to explain what a SMART goal is and what the acronym “SMART” stands for
2.) To be able to create a personal SMART goal

Summary:
The acronym SMART is used in goal setting to call attention to the five components of a well written goal. The five components are:

S: Specific
M: Measurable
A: Attainable
R: Reasonable
T: Time-Bound

Materials:
Construction paper, scissors, markers

Do first:
Have you ever set a goal? Did you reach it? Write down your goal setting process and why you think you reached your goal or did not reach your goal. [written on board and displayed as students enter]

Opening:
Have a few students share their do first notes (to class or as a think, pair, share). Get feedback from some who have achieved their goals as well as some who have not achieved their goals.  Note any patterns if they exist.

Introduction to New Material:
Most of us set goals, but not all of us reach them.  In today’s lesson, we’ll look at five key parts that of well written or “SMART” goals. Not only will these goal components help you write better, smarter, goals, the five parts of goal setting are also summarized by the acronym SMART. By uncovering what each part of the acronym means, you’ll be able to create you own goal and have a higher chance of reaching it [can specify goal for term 1, fitness, month 1, etc].

Key point 1:
Specific
–
Your 
goal
 should 
be
 clearly
 written
 and
 explain 
in detail
 what
 you 
plan
 to
 achieve,
 how
 you 
will 
achieve 
it, 
and
 why 
you
 are taking
 on 
this 
goal.
A non specific goal that you might have right now would be “to do well this semester.” It’s a great goal, however, it is not specific.  To modify it, you would need to define what “doing well” means. Is this for school? sports? an A+? your first B? This needs to be clear from the goal. It should include the “what,” “how,” and “why.”

Guided Practice:
Have students try to rewrite the goal “to do well this semester” to include the “what,” “how,” and “why,” so it is specific.

Ex. My goal is to earn an A in Chemistry this semester by taking notes and reviewing them each week, because I want to have a solid start to the school year.

 

Key point 2:
Measurable-Your 
goal
 should 
include 
a
way
 to
 measure 
your
 progress.
The 
best
 way 
to
 make
 your
 goal
 measurable 
will 
depend
 on 
the 
specifics
 of
 what 
you
 want 
to achieve. The goal of “doing well this semester is not measurable.

Guided Practice:
What are three ways to make this measurable for academics?

Ex. Letter grade, handing in all homework, getting an 80 or above on all quizzes, etc.


Key point 3:

Attainable-Your 
goal
 should be one that you can reach.
Make
 sure
 the
 goal
 is
 something 
that 
challenges
 you,
but 
isn’t
 impossible 
for 
you
right
 now.

The
 goal
 should 
be 
realistic.

If
 you
 don’t
 even
 know 
how
 to
 swim,
the 
goal of earning 1st place on the swim team is probably not attainable-this year! Think about your past performance and what a reach would be for you at this point.

Key point 4:
Relevant
–
Make
 sure
 your 
goal 
is
 something 
that
 relates 
to
 your 
interests,
 needs,

 and
 abilities.
If your goal is to get in the top 5 at your first cross-country meet, but you haven’t even run a mile or prefer swimming, this might not be the best goal this semester!  Maybe you can start running now and try out for winter track, but placing in a meet would not be a relevant goal this year.

Key point 5:
Time‐Bound
–
Make
 sure 
your
 goal 
has
 a 
target
 date.
Since I’ve already said we are setting our goals are set for this semester, they will be time bound. However, this is a key part you should put into any goal you create.

Independent Practice:
Students will craft their own SMART goals.  Give students 5 minutes to write a goal, then do a think, pair, share to help each other assess their goals.

Activity:
Students will write finalized SMART goal on a construction paper cutout of their handprints.  One hand print will have their name, the other will have their goal. The handprint is significant because it reminds students that there are 5 parts of a well-written goal (5 fingers for the hand) and that their goal is unique to them (unique handprint).  Here is an example:

back to school bulletin

Note, goal can be simplified to fit handprint legibly. Full SMART goal format can be required on the back or submitted with the homework.  Teacher will collect handprints and then line them up on the bottom of a classroom wall/bulletin board. Each week (or other specified time period), students will move the hands up the wall a designated amount if they are on track with their goal.

Homework:
Submit typed goal and outline of incremental ways to check in on this goal.

 

There you have it! A nice little lesson plan to start the year in any class you teach. I hope you enjoyed it!

Remember, this is just the first of a series of special blog posts to get you pumped up for Back to School in honor of the Teachers’ Tone Up. You’ll want to check back for more lesson ideas, healthy tips, and inspiration from my talented friends and me.  Know you might forget to check back during your in-service days? Sign up to be a Fit Armadillo® A-Lister to get weekly updates on blog posts and free access to the Fit Armadillo® Fit Club by clicking HERE. Are you a hashtagger? Share your thoughts about this post and those to come by using the hashtag: #TeachersToneUp

How are you starting 2014-2015 with your students? I’d love to know. Leave me a comment to tell me your ideas, what you think of my SMART goal lesson plan, and how you might modify it: 

Catherine Turley

Hello! I'm the founder of Fit Armadillo® and I'm so glad you're here. If you've been looking for a way to start your healthy lifestyle, but you don’t want to join a gym or spend thousands of dollars on supplements and fad products, you’ve come to the right place. On the blog we share fitness tips and healthy recipes to get you started. For more 1-on-1 help head here to get matched with an awesome certified fitness professional. Looking for motivation to start or stick to your routine? Check out my *bestselling* book HERE

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