The best way to help students understand the goal-setting process is to set a class goal and work together to achieve it.
Invite students to brainstorm a variety of class goals they might want to achieve over a period of several days or weeks. Appropriate goals might be to have everyone in the class learn their multiplication tables, read a certain number of books, or raise money for an important cause.
After students have decided on a goal, help them word their goal in clear and measurable terms. For example, Our class will read 100 books before October 1."
Next, create an action plan with several specific steps. Remind students that an action plan involves, you guessed it -- action! You have to take action to reach your goals, and each step in the plan must be something that you do. For the goal of reading 100 books before October 1, an action plan might include asking each student to read one book a week for five weeks, and having students record their reading in home reading logs; or spending 30 minutes a day of class time reading, and making a chart to track class progress.
The third step of the goal-setting process is to have students read the goal daily and visualize themselves reaching that goal. Display the class goal and action plan in a prominent area. Each morning review the goal and discuss any actions to be taken during the day. A class progress chart can help with that step. For example, students might color one square on a Hundred Board chart for each book they read, visualizing how the board will look when its completely colored.
As students track their progress, they might notice that the original action plan isnt working quite the way they planned. If thats the case, take time to revise the action plan and brainstorm new strategies. Dont be afraid to eliminate any parts of the plan that just arent producing results.
When students reach their class goal, be sure to celebrate in some way.
Source: Goal Setting 101: The Process in Action
Education World®
Copyright © 2010 Education World
09/14/2010
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