6th Grade PEP Goal Setting

Overview Introduce long-term goals and short-term goals or pathways to achieving goals Learn 6 keys to achieving your goals Learn to write SMART goals Identify and overcome barriers

People who reached their goals Michael Jordan, Walt Disney, Abraham Lincoln,

Goal Setting Activity Cut out and distribute goal setting prompts to students. When I grow up… Ten years in the future… When I am in high school… When I am in college… My dream job is… Instruct students to complete the goal setting prompt (5 min)

Goal Setting Activity Directions: Switch goals with the person next to you. Read the new goal you have been given. Reflection Questions: What do you think of this new goal? Do you think you will accomplish this goal? Why or why not? Directions Switch back so you have your original goal.

Keys to achieving your goals #1 Your goal(s) must be important to YOU! It must be YOUR goal, NOT your friend’s, parent’s teacher’s goal. These people can support you, but you must have the desire and be willing to put in the effort POINT: Don't let anyone else write your story. You make your goals and be in charge of reaching them! Don’t let distractions like drugs, friends, poor school work take over your story.

Keys to achieving your goals #2 Use strategies to stay focused on your goal(s)! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtb5GDkJTig Directions: Write down your long-term vision or goal on your goal worksheet Write down at least 8 reasons why you want to accomplish this goal

Keys to achieving your goals #3 Create clear steps or pathways to reach your goal(s)! Short-term goals and pathways provide a roadmap to make dreams happen. They help take us from one point to the next.

(EXAMPLE) GOAL: _Get into____ college to study____ health science______ 5) Start saving $20 per week for college 4) Earn 3’s &/or 4’s on report card Record deadlines & requirements for getting into a science focused HS program 3) Spend 30 extra minutes per night studying math and science 2) WHY: 1) 5) 2) 6) 3) 7) 4) 8) Volunteer at a hospital one day per month 1)

Example College & Career Pathway Goals Increase attendance (e.g. 95% or above) On-track to meeting standards (e.g. score 3’s or above on report card) Complete class assignments Complete homework (e.g. set aside at least 30 min per night to read, study, or complete homework) Participate in class activities (e.g. raise hand or volunteer at least twice per class) Increase organization (e.g. write assignments in planner, clean out binder, backpack, and locker once per week) Reduce discipline referrals

“Begin with the end in mind” you are planning to fail” Create paths to your goal (5 min) GOAL: _______________ ______________________ 5) TIP #1 “Begin with the end in mind” TIP #2 “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” 4) 3) 2) WHY: 1) 5) 2) 6) 3) 7) 4) 8) 1)

Keys to achieving your goals #4 Your goal(s) must be SMART! Specific (who, what, where when, why, how) Something you can Measure so you know when you have reached it Attainable (within your power and actions to make it happen) Realistic (within your reach to achieve) Timely (set a timeline for when you will reach your goal) S M A R T

SMART Goal Smart goal evaluation (5 min): Select one of the short-term goals or paths from your goal worksheet. Write it in the box entitled, “short-term SMART goal” Evaluate whether this goal includes all of the components of a SMART goal

Keys to achieving your goals #5 Watch video clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gtp1Ya1r Note: end video at 3:45 (after race results) Key tips from the video clip: Share your goal(s) with others Don’t give up when failure or set-back Practice daily discipline over time Get a partner or support system for encouragement and accountability Use positive self-talk (i.e. voice in your mind saying “you can do this!”)

Keys to achieving your goals #6 Anticipate obstacles and create new pathways when set-backs occur! Use you worksheet to brainstorm barriers or obstacles to achieving your goal. Watch video clip of Famous Failures http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zLYECIjmnQs Discussion Questions: How to you respond to set-back or failure? How do you hope to respond in the future? Use your worksheet to brainstorm new pathways (or strategies) to overcome these obstacles.

Obstacles Ahead

GOAL + Pathway + Motivation = HOPE People who regularly set goals and pathways tend to… Set learning-based goals within their reach (NOT performance-based goals that may be outside their control) Have internal desire to learn new skills and master new tasks Track progress and increase effort with failure or setback Create new paths to goals when face obstacles or barriers Use positive self-talk (e.g. “Keep going!” “You can get this done.”) Receive higher scores on achievement tests, higher overall grade point averages, and higher graduation rates, even when controlling for intelligence Have self-esteem, confidence, and perceived problem-solving abilities and sense of control Have less anxiety Students must view selves as being capable of initiating and implementing actions to pursue valued personal goals Snyder, C.R., Shorey, H.S., Cheavens, J., Pulvers, K.M., Adams, V.H., and Wiklund, C. (2002). Hope and Academic Success in College, Journal of Educational Psychology, 94, 820-826.

Lesson Review Your goal(s) must be important to YOU Use strategies to stay focused on your goal(s) Create clear steps or pathways to reach your goal(s) Your goal(s) must be Specific, Measurable, Realistic, Attainable, and Timely Don’t give up: anticipate obstacles and create new pathways to goals when setbacks occur Use your support system (friends/family/teachers) for encouragement and accountability Use positive self-talk (voice in your mind saying, “You can do this!”)