4 Reasons You Should Set Goals WITH Your Students

Setting Goals with Students at the Beginning of the Year is Important

Learn the four reasons you should set goals with your students and how to set up a goal-tracking folder.

Goals Provide Direction

REASON #1: Setting goals with students at the beginning of the school year is essential for a variety of reasons. Firstly, goals provide a clear direction; they offer students a vision of what they can and want to achieve. This helps eliminate confusion and helps students in focusing their efforts. Without a set target, our students might find themselves aimlessly wandering through the school year.

Setting Goals Motivates Students

REASON #2: Secondly, setting goals can help motivate students. When they have a clear objective in sight, they are likely to feel more driven to reach it. By setting attainable goals, we essentially present students with a challenge that they are capable of conquering. This not only motivates them to work harder but also helps build a sense of self-confidence and self-efficacy.

Goals = Accountability

REASON #3: Thirdly, setting goals fosters accountability. When students set their goals, they accept responsibility for their own learning progress. This can empower them and cultivate a sense of ownership over their education, ultimately promoting independent learning; even young elementary students can do this.

The Value of Achievement

REASON #4: Lastly, goal setting promotes skills that extend beyond the classroom. By setting and striving for goals, students learn the value of planning, time management, perseverance, and the satisfaction of achievement. These are valuable life skills that will benefit them throughout their lives.

Therefore, goal setting plays an integral role in students' academic progress and personal growth. It steers them in the right direction, motivates them, fosters accountability, and imparts essential life skills. It is crucial to kick off each school year with a clear set of goals to help students make the most out of their educational journey.

So, how do we help students set their own goals and take ownership over learning?

I have long since helped students to create their own folder of student-created goals and accomplishments. We call this the SMILE Folder. They are easy to put together and you can create them from just a folder and paper.

SMILE Goals are simple SMART Goals that are in more student-friendly language. 

I work with my students to create a SMILE Folder. The goal-setting folder is essential because it helps...

• LOOK at the data with your student.
• GUIDE students to set their own goals.
• TEACH them how to make a plan.
• PROVIDE your students with a way to track their progress.
• CELEBRATE the successes with your students.

 TIPS FOR HELPING STUDENTS SET GOALS:

The most important tip I can share is to work together with your students. I know it can be challenging, but guide them to choose their learning goals instead of you just deciding.

Share assessment data results with each student. Let them see where they fall (data) as a learner. Show them the actual data because I have found that it does make a difference.

Learn the beginning, middle, and end of year standard data points. Think about what reading level they should be on, etc. Be a good resource for where most students should be at that time during the year.

Your students should use the data and decide what they need to do to get where they need to be. I promise - even first graders can do this if you guide them.

Work with your students to choose one to three goals to work on. Having too many goals at once can be overwhelming for everyone.

Your students will decide on their action steps and then have a place to record their data.

Examples of Student Goals

Below is an example of one of the forms I use with students, including their action steps and progress on the goal.

 Questions to ask yourself about Student Goal Setting

Below are a few questions that you may want to ask yourself about before you meet with students to set goals:

• What type of learning goals will you help your student set?
• Will they set performance or study skill goals?

You do not need to purchase a fancy resource to set learning goals and track the results with your students. You can easily make your own and keep the data in a folder.

Help! I don't have time to create my own Goal Setting Folders!

I am happy to share my student goal-setting system for teachers who are short on time.

Editable Goal Setting Folder Kit - Kid-Friendly SMART Goals - CLICK HERE!

Do you have any goal setting tips to add?