Learning Activity 5 Goal Setting
Activity 5: Goal Setting
Students learn and practise the skill of goal setting. They will not be asked to share their goals in class.
Step 1: Brainstorm
Ask the students to brainstorm goals that young people might typically set for themselves and record them on the board.
Looking at the list and discuss why you think it is important to set goals.
Teacher's note
Working towards meaningful goals leads to increased, satisfaction and wellbeing. Having a goal and achieving it provides an opportunity for positive emotion – a sense of being pleased with yourself.
"The best prize that life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing" - Theodore Roosevelt.
Step 2: How to set goals
Show the slide on setting smart goals and read through it. Divide the class into groups of three or four.
Invite each group to set goals for an imaginary character (Jason or Jenny) who is in the same age group as the students in your class. The character will have to achieve these goals within one year.
Take feedback from the groups, checking that the proposed goals follow the guidelines set out on the slide.
Teacher's notes
Working towards realistic goals that are challenging but achievable can improve happiness and wellbeing.
Dr Carol Dweck has proposed that a key challenge in achieving goals is the presence
Discussion points
- How you feel about setting goals for yourselves
- Why we might shy away from setting goals
- What could help someone to set goals even if they felt shy about it
Step 3: Personal goal setting
Invite the students to set three or four goals for themselves, using the skills they learned in class.
Remind the students to phrase goals in a positive way. Goals should be written down and reflected on regularly. For example, students might like to stick them on the wall beside their bed
so that they see them every morning and evening. This can improve motivation and perseverance.
Exercise for assessing goal setting
Students identify 3 goals and the steps they have to take in order to achieve these goals.