Goal Setting Fun

WALT (We Are Learning To)

Set personal short-term and long-term financial goals and understand the importance of planning money wisely.

Success Criteria

• I can explain what a financial goal is.
• I can distinguish between short-term and long-term financial goals.
• I can create my own short-term and long-term financial goals.
• I understand why making a plan helps achieve financial goals.

Curriculum Links (New Zealand Curriculum Refresh)

Learning Area: Social Sciences - Economics Focus (Financial Capability strand)

• Understand how and why people manage money, including planning and goal setting.
• Recognise the importance of setting goals to make informed financial decisions.

Key Competencies

• Thinking: Planning and setting purposeful financial goals.
• Managing Self: Taking responsibility for personal financial decisions.
• Relating to Others: Sharing ideas about financial goals and listening to others' views.

Achievement Objectives (Years 4-6)

• Social Sciences: Understand how personal financial goals affect decision-making.
• Mathematics and Statistics (Financial Mathematics): Use simple financial plans (e.g., budgets, savings plans) .

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Lesson Duration

60 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Target Group: Year 6 students in New Zealand

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Resources Needed

• Whiteboard and markers
• Play money (coins and notes)
• Goal Setting Worksheet (includes two sections: short-term goal & long-term goal)
• Chart paper or digital presentation slides showing examples of financial goals
• Timer or clock
• Dyslexia-friendly printed materials (clear font, spaced lines, coloured overlays)
• Optional: Tablets or computers with financial goal-setting app or digital tool

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Lesson Plan Outline

1. Introduction (10 minutes)

• Engage Discussion:
  • Ask students: "What is a goal? Can you think of any goals you might have for spending or saving money?"
  • Discuss difference between short-term goals (e.g., buying a book) and long-term goals (e.g., saving for a bike).
• Explain WALT and Success Criteria.

2. Explore Setting Financial Goals (15 minutes)

• Teacher-led interactive presentation:
  • Definition of financial goals
  • Examples of short-term and long-term goals specific to students (e.g., short-term: buy a snack, long-term: save for a school camp)
  • Why it's important to have goals (planning helps to achieve them)
• Use clear vocabulary and visuals, repeating key terms.
• Use play money to demonstrate saving towards a goal.

3. Group Activity - Create Your Own Goals (20 minutes)

• Hand out the Goal Setting Worksheet with two sections.
• Students individually write/draw:
  • One short-term financial goal (something achievable within a few weeks or months)
  • One long-term financial goal (something bigger to save for over a year)
• Prompts on worksheet support students who need help.
• Circulate to support and encourage
• Optional peer-share in pairs to promote verbalising goals.

4. Discuss Planning Strategies (10 minutes)

• Whole class brainstorm ways to achieve goals (e.g., saving a portion of pocket money, asking for chores to earn money).
• Create a simple goal plan on chart paper showing steps and time frames.
• Emphasise importance of tracking progress, adapting plan if needed.

5. Reflect and Wrap-up (5 minutes)

• Invite two or three students to share their goals and plans.
• Recap the WALT and go over Success Criteria.
• Set a class "Goal Challenge" for students to start tracking one goal before the next lesson.

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Differentiation & Support

• Extension Activity:
  • For advanced learners, challenge them to create a mini budget plan for their goals, estimating costs and savings needed.
  • Use digital spreadsheets or goal-setting apps for tech extension.
• Dyslexia-Friendly Strategies:
  • Provide worksheets in dyslexia-friendly font (e.g., Open Dyslexic) and use coloured overlays.
  • Use oral instructions alongside written tasks.
  • Allow extra time for reading and writing.
  • Use graphic organisers to help structure ideas visually.

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Assessment for Learning

• Formative: Observe participation in discussions and worksheet completion.
• Success Criteria Checklist: Review students’ written goals for understanding of short and long-term distinctions and plan.
• Use reflective questioning: "Why is having a financial goal helpful?"

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• Check if students can articulate the difference between short and long-term goals clearly.
• Note engagement levels with play money and group discussions.
• Identify students needing extra support or extension for follow-up lessons.
• Consider integrating with Maths learning on percentages and budgeting in future lessons.

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This lesson plan is designed to align closely with the New Zealand Curriculum by integrating economic understanding with real-world mathematics (financial mathematics phase 2 & 3), literacy, and key competencies, reflecting the refreshed curriculum's holistic approach to meaningful learning experiences and student agency .

If you want, I can also help create the printable dyslexia-friendly goal-setting worksheet for this lesson!