Lesson Plan

SMART Steps Outline

Students will learn and practice the four-step SMART acronym for responsible decision-making, enabling them to pause, reflect, and choose wisely in real-life scenarios.

Teaching SMART equips students with a simple, repeatable process for daily choices—boosting self-awareness, reducing impulsive actions, and fostering accountability both in and out of school.

Audience

Time

Approach

Materials

Prep

Prepare Materials

5 minutes

Step 1

Introduction

2 minutes

Step 2

Teach SMART Acronym

4 minutes

Step 3

SMART Strategy Stations

6 minutes

Step 4

Exit Slip Reflection

3 minutes

lenny

Slide Deck

SMART in Action

Welcome students and introduce the session. Emphasize that today’s focus is on learning a simple process—SMART—to make better decisions in everyday situations.

Agenda

Outline what we’ll cover. Keep this slide brief; we’ll dive into each step next.

S: Stop and Pause

Explain that S stands for “Stop and Pause.” Stress the importance of taking a moment before reacting. Ask for a student example of a time they acted too quickly.

M: Monitor Options

Introduce M: “Monitor Options.” Encourage students to brainstorm different paths they could take. Ask them to name two possible options for a sample scenario.

A: Assess Consequences

Discuss A: “Assess Consequences.” Explain that each option has pros and cons. Model weighing benefits and risks for a simple choice (e.g., homework vs. hanging out).

R: Reach a Decision

Cover R: “Reach a Decision.” Reinforce that after evaluating, you select the best option. Ask a volunteer to pick one from our example and explain why.

T: Track Results

Explain T: “Track Results.” Highlight that reflecting on the outcome helps improve future decisions. Invite students to share how they might track their own progress.

Practice: SMART Strategy Stations

Introduce the hands-on activity. Divide into groups at each station, apply SMART to new scenarios, and rotate every 2 minutes.

Next Steps & Reflection

Wrap up by reminding students to use SMART whenever they need to make a thoughtful choice. Explain the exit slip next.

lenny

Activity

lenny
lenny

Cool Down

lenny
lenny

Smart Moves

user image

Idamis Reyes

Tier 1
For Schools
lenny-learning-logo

Lenny Learning

Create Lesson

CASEL

Health & Wellness

Behavioral Supports

Counseling & Therapy

Family Engagement

School Climate

Special Education

Academic Integration

Seasonal

Career & Life Skills

Arts & Creativity

My Lessons

My Lessons

Video Library

Video Library

Support

Support

Log In