Lesson Plan

Dream Big Lesson Plan

Students will reflect on their past year’s achievements and challenges, learn proven goal-setting techniques, and draft personal and academic goals with clear action steps.

Teaching goal-setting equips students with self-awareness and resilience, fosters hope, and empowers them to take ownership of their growth and dreams.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Classroom and Materials

10 minutes

Step 1

Introduction and Reflection

10 minutes

Step 2

Teach Goal-Setting Techniques

15 minutes

Step 3

Personal Goal Brainstorm

10 minutes

Step 4

Share and Feedback

10 minutes

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

5 minutes

Slide Deck

Dream Big: Setting Goals

Welcome students to the lesson. Introduce today’s focus: reflecting on the past year and setting goals for the future. Highlight that by the end of the session, they’ll have drafted personal and academic SMART goals.

Reflect on Your Year

Explain the reflection activity. Ask students to quietly think of three things they’re proud of from the past year and write them in their journals. Invite volunteers to share.

SMART Goals

Introduce the SMART framework. Read each element aloud, then ask students to repeat. Emphasize how SMART helps make goals clear and achievable.

Example SMART Goal

Model turning a general idea into a SMART goal. Write each part on chart paper, pointing out how it meets every SMART criterion.

Staying Resilient

Discuss why goals sometimes change and how resilience keeps us moving forward. Ask: “What could make a goal harder? How can we adapt?”

Personal & Academic Brainstorm

Explain the brainstorming activity. Hand out sticky notes. Circulate to support students as they craft one personal and one academic goal.

Share and Feedback

Introduce peer feedback guidelines. Model giving a compliment and a suggestion. Then let pairs begin.

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Summarize key takeaways: SMART goals and resilience. Encourage students to review their goals weekly and track progress in their journals.

Lesson Plan

Dream Big Lesson Plan

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Classroom and Materials

Step 1

Introduction and Reflection

Step 2

Teach Goal-Setting Techniques

Step 3

Personal Goal Brainstorm

Step 4

Share and Feedback

Step 5

Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Slide Deck

Dream Big: Setting Goals

Reflect on Your Year

SMART Goals

Example SMART Goal

Staying Resilient

Personal & Academic Brainstorm

Share and Feedback

Wrap-Up & Next Steps

Journal

Dream Big: Setting Goals

olivia delorenzo