Your students need to set goals for their learning, right? We know goal setting leads to greater learning outcomes but maybe the idea of teaching SMART goals is a bit overwhelming. (Make sure you read this post about the benefits of goal setting if you aren’t totally convinced). Here is a 5 step system that will give you everything you need to teach SMART goals in a way that leads to action and results.
Step 1: Reflect Using Assessment Materials
First of all, before your students can set a goal they need to know what they should be improving on. You’ve been giving great descriptive feedback to students all year. Now is the time for them to take that feedback and actually do something with it.
Collect different forms of assessment like tests, report cards, monthly reflections and anything else that you’ve put feedback on.
An assessment tracker is an awesome tool you can use to have your students record feedback and grades on assignments. You can also use it as a communication tool with families as a parent/guardian will need to sign it.
Have your students review their learning and decide on an area of focus.
Step 2: Explicitly Teach SMART Goals
So, now your students have a goal they can start crushing it, right? Most likely the answer is no. Their goals may sound something like this – “I want higher marks.” “I want to read more.” “I want to stop procrastinating.” It’s time to set some S.M.A.R.T goals.
Grab this free guide to help you figure out how to teach S.M.A.R.T goals.
In this guide you’ll have access to this 5-step system, a printable worksheet, S.M.A.R.T. goal posters and Google Slides.
Step 3: Create a plan
Your students will need to create a plan so that they can see exactly how they will reach their goal. Keep it simple. Anything too elaborate will just confuse or overwhelm your students.
My students use this section of our monthly reflection for goal setting:
Have them list 3 ways they will know that they have met their goal. That will be their focus this month.
Step 4: Read Goals Daily
Writing goals down helps our students to get that goal into their long term memory. Consider having them illustrate their goal and put it somewhere they can read it each day.
Try getting your students keep their goals on their desk with these student name tags. Encourage them to read their goal when they come into the room and right before they leave each day.
Step 5: Reflect and Revise
At the end of each month, reflect on the goal setting process. Have students share their successes and areas of improvement with their classmates. What can we celebrate? How can we encourage you?
Ask your students to find three pieces of evidence that proves they either met their goal or are still working on achieving it.
Then, revise! Did they meet their goal? If yes, have them go back to step one and pick a new area of focus. If no, encourage them to see if they need to change their goal or change their plan. This revision can be done independently, with small groups or even individual conferences.
Remember to grab your free S.M.A.R.T goal guide!
