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ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HANDBOOK
Learning Goals
In Visit 4, students will:
- Describe the difference between short and long-term goals
- Develop short and long-term goals pertinent to their lives
- Explain that goal setting is a process that can be used for fulfilling dreams
- Explain that dreams can be achieved with education and positive life choices
Ideas for your Introduction
- Tell them they are going to get to dream big today!
- Share the goals you have set throughout your life and how they relate to your interests and talents.
- Discuss how you learned to set and accomplish goals.
Exercise #1: Dream for the Future
Exercise Objectives: Students will be able to define the characteristics of a goal and distinguish between a long-term and short-term goal. This exercise is designed to help students learn about the process of setting a short-term goal.
Preparation: Think of a personal story that relates to a short-term goal you set for yourself that directly impacted the success of something significant in your life.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Lead a discussion about the importance of setting short-term goals to achieve a long-term dream. Students might not understand that earning good grades means paying attention in class, asking questions, and doing homework – all examples of short-term goals that lead to the long-term goal of good grades.
- Spend time talking about the process of achieving goals. Identify the steps in the SMART process.
- You might want to have a student read the directions aloud and then re-read them for emphasis. Write the SMART acronym on the board.
- Assume the students know nothing about goals. Share a personal example of a goal you achieved when you were young. Include short-term and long-term goals in the example. Ask the students to share other examples of goals.
- Guide students through answering the questions on the bottom of the page based on what they just learned about goals.
Tips for Exercise #1
- Anticipate words that may be difficult for your students. SMART words like Realistic, Achievable and Time Specific might be out of their realm of knowledge. Break everything down so the students understand the concept of goal setting.
- Be thorough. Students may not understand how setting goals and measuring progress helps them achieve a "dream". For example, students fail to understand that earning good grades means paying attention in class, asking questions, and doing homework – all examples of short-term goals leading to the long-term goal of good grades.
Exercise #2: Dreams Begin with Writing Goals
Exercise Objective: Students will be able to identify two long-term goals, be able to construct a plan for achieving at least one long-term goal, and explain how its success will be measured.
Preparation: Determine a personal goal you have set for yourself to share with the class.
Presentation Suggestions:
- Write on the board a personal goal that you currently have. Lead a discussion on what you can do to achieve your current goal.
- Read each partial statement aloud, and then give the students time to complete the statement. Provide assistance as necessary so that all students understand the concepts of the exercise.
- Ask the students to share their statements.
Ideas for Exercise #2
- Discuss the goals your students have set for themselves this year and ask them to assess their progress in achieving them. Help students break down their goals into steps they need to take to achieve them.
- Write a goal on the board you currently have. Briefly outline your plan to achieve it and describe how you will measure your progress. Keep this example VERY simple.
- Have students write a letter to themselves in five years about where they want to be, what they want to do and what they think they will have accomplished. You can even send a copy of the letter home to the parents asking them to share it with their kids five years from now.
Exercise #3: Imagine ( MANDATORY EXERCISE )
Exercise Objective: Students will be able to describe a dream for the future and will be able to identify the goals required to achieve their dream. The goal of this exercise is to get the kids to dream big, and then to help them determine how to reach their dream.
Preparation: Identify a dream job that you had for yourself and the steps you did or did not take to reach that dream to share with the class. You may also want to prepare by choosing a job you think the students would be interested in having. Answer the questions before you get to class.
Presentation Suggestions: Ask for one or two examples of a dream for the future and write them down on the board. Discuss the short-term and long-term goals needed to achieve these dreams. For example: "What classes are necessary for them to take in middle school and high school?", "What basic skills will they need to learn to do the job?", or "Who should they talk to in order to learn more about their 'dream job'?" Emphasize the importance of basic communication skills, e.g., writing, speaking and listening. Let bilingual students know that speaking two languages can really help them.
Walk around the classroom while the students work independently. They will have plenty of questions. Remind them that they have identified their skills and talents and their dream can be an extension of them.
Ensure that all students complete the exercise. Then have each student share their dream job with his or her classmates.
Ideas for Exercise #3
- Let the students know that ALL dreams are possible if students work hard and obtain an education.
- For the students that dream of becoming musicians, athletes, movie stars, etc., encourage them to think "Behind the Box". For example, create a chart that lists all of the jobs associated with an athlete--athletic trainer, coach, bus driver, explain the business side of sports—selling tickets, running the concessions. Let them know the challenges of becoming a professional rock star/athlete/movie star and that it is possible with plenty of hard work, and talent, but there are alternative jobs that can be just as fun and rewarding. (Idea from Michele McKay-McCoy)
- Ask the students to imagine what they want to be when they grow up, and then imagine they are grownups with that job. Then work backwards. What did they have to do to get the job, e.g., graduate from college, graduate from high school, take specific classes, do their homework, etc.? (Idea from Terry Zaccone)
- Create a cloud template and give one to each student. Have them write their dream job in the cloud. Then ask the teacher to display them. (Idea from Faye Mark)
The Famous Me of The Future
Exercise Objective: Students will be able to describe a long-term goal and how it is achieved using a creative writing exercise.
Preparation: Make copies of the exercise so you can assign it for homework without asking the student to take their workbooks home.
Presentation Suggestions: Refer to the activity on page 17 and have them complete the activity based on those answers. This is a good exercise to assign for homework because you want to give students plenty of time to complete it.
Ideas for Exercise #4
- Consider developing an example of what a student might write for this exercise. Review the example in place of having the students complete this activity.
- Make copies of the exercise and assign it for homework. Ask the teacher to assist students in completing this assignment before your next visit.
Visit Summary
Recap the forth unit by asking the students a few questions that reflect their understanding of the visit goals. For example: "Why are goals important?", "What is the difference between a short-term goal and a long-term goal?", "Why does using the SMART concept help to achieve goals?", and "How can goal setting help you achieve your dream?"
Clearly explain your expectations for any assigned homework. End the visit by thanking the students for their time and letting them know when you will see them again.
