Reach for the Stars

Lesson Overview

Subject: PSHE
Year Group: Year 5
Duration: 60 minutes
Class Size: 24 students
Curriculum Link: PSHE Association Programme of Study - Core Theme 3: Living in the Wider World
Learning Outcome:

• Students will explore aspirations, resilience, and goal-setting.
• They will develop an understanding of how effort and perseverance contribute to achievement.
• Students will work collaboratively to reflect on their personal ambitions.

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction – Setting the Scene (10 minutes)

• Gather students in a circle on the floor or seated around a central space.
• Begin with a thought-provoking question:
  "If you could achieve anything in the world, what would it be?"
• Ask students to take turns sharing their dreams or ambitions.
• Reinforce that all dreams, big or small, are valid and achievable with persistence.

Teacher Prompt:
"Sometimes, reaching our goals can feel impossible. Today, we will think about how we can reach for the stars by setting goals and overcoming challenges!"

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2. Main Discussion – The Journey to Success (20 minutes)

• Pose the question: "What do we need to reach our goals?"
• Go around the circle, having children suggest qualities (e.g., hard work, patience, creativity, resilience).
• List them on the board or a large sheet of paper.
• Introduce the concept of a Growth Mindset – explain that mistakes and setbacks help us learn.
• Share real-life success stories of famous figures who worked hard (e.g., Tim Peake, JK Rowling, Marcus Rashford).
• Discuss the importance of small steps in reaching big dreams.

Interactive Element:

• Hand out star-shaped sticky notes.
• Ask students to write down something they find challenging but want to improve on.
• Stick them onto a large paper poster labelled "Our Starry Aspirations".

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3. Active Engagement – ‘Shooting Stars’ Activity (20 minutes)

Objective:

• Reinforce the idea that setting small goals helps us achieve big dreams.

Activity Instructions:

1. Split the class into groups of four.
2. Provide each group with a small ball (representing a ‘shooting star’).
3. Mark a ‘starting point’ and a ‘goal’ across the room using cones or tape.
4. Each student must take turns passing the ball (representing progress) towards the goal, but they can only move forward if they share a small personal goal with the group before passing.
5. Continue until the ball reaches the ‘goal’, reinforcing that reaching stars takes teamwork, resilience, and persistence.

Teacher Reflection:

• End by asking: "What helps you move towards your goals? How did teamwork help?"
• Encourage discussion on how planning and support can make dreams more achievable.

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4. Reflection and Plenary – ‘One Step at a Time’ (10 minutes)

• Each student takes a turn in the circle, sharing one step they will take to work towards their big ambition.
• Write these on a separate piece of paper to display in the classroom as "Our Steps to the Stars".
• Conclude with positive reinforcement:
  "Whatever you dream to be, you CAN achieve it with effort and resilience!"

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe participation during the main discussion and activity.
• Listen for growth mindset language and positive goal-setting.
• Use the star sticky notes and end-of-lesson reflections to assess engagement.

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Resources Needed

• Star-shaped sticky notes
• Large paper for "Our Starry Aspirations" display
• Markers
• Small soft balls (one per group)
• Floor markers (cones, tape)

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Teacher Tips & Adaptations

✔ For shy students: Allow them to write their thoughts instead of speaking aloud.
✔ For higher ability learners: Challenge them to set a long-term and short-term goal.
✔ For kinaesthetic learners: Incorporate more movement-based goal-reaching activities.

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This dynamic and engaging circle time lesson will leave students feeling empowered to reach for the stars, while embedding essential PSHE themes of perseverance, self-belief, and ambition. 🌟