Setting Future Goals

Lesson Overview

In this 60-minute session, students will engage thoughtfully in setting personal goals for the upcoming year. They will reflect on their previous successes and actively consider how to utilise coping strategies they have learned in the unit Embracing Change Together. This lesson develops self-awareness, emotional resilience, and forward planning skills in line with PSHE education objectives.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

• Reflect on personal achievements and challenges from the past year.
• Identify effective coping strategies they have successfully used.
• Set realistic, specific, and achievable personal goals for the upcoming year.
• Understand the importance of adaptability and resilience when working towards goals.
• Collaborate and share insights with peers respectfully.

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Curriculum Links

PSHE Education Programme of Study (DfE, 2021):

• Health and Wellbeing: To recognise and manage emotions, and develop strategies to deal with setbacks.
• Living in the Wider World: To manage personal goals and develop self-regulation and resilience.
• Personal Development: To develop self-awareness and positive self-esteem through reflective practices.

Social and Emotional Aspects of Learning (SEAL): Building on previous units focusing on “Changes” and “Managing Feelings”. The emphasis lies on the “Going for Goals” theme.

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Age Group

Recommended for students aged 11-13 years old (KS3 Year 7-8).

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Resources Needed

• Large A3 paper or individual goal-setting templates
• Colourful pens, sticky notes
• Reflection prompt cards (successes, coping strategies, challenges)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Timer or clock
• Quiet reflective music playlist (low volume)

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Lesson Structure

1. Welcome and Warm-Up (5 minutes)

• Greet students and briefly recap the previous lesson’s focus on coping strategies.
• Icebreaker: “One Word Check-In” – each student shares one word to describe how they feel about changes happening in their lives.
• Emphasise a safe, supportive atmosphere.

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2. Reflecting on Successes (10 minutes)

Activity: Guided Reflection

• Distribute reflection prompt cards that ask students to think about successes they've had in the past year (personal, academic, social).
• Students silently write down at least three successes on sticky notes.
• In pairs, students share their successes to build confidence and self-awareness.
• Whole-class group shares a few examples (teacher notes positive traits observed).

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3. Connecting Coping Strategies to Success (10 minutes)

Discussion & Mapping Exercise

• Recap on coping strategies learned.
• On a whiteboard, create two columns: “Challenges Faced” and “Coping Strategies Used.”
• Invite students to volunteer examples of challenges they overcame and discuss how the strategies helped them.
• Facilitate a discussion on why applying these strategies is important for future goal achievement.

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4. Setting SMART Goals (20 minutes)

Activity: Personal Goal-Setting Workshop

• Briefly explain SMART goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound.
• Provide clear examples (e.g., "Improve running stamina to complete a 5K in under 30 minutes by July").
• Using A3 paper or templates, each student drafts 3 personal goals they wish to achieve by the end of next year.
• Encourage them to draw or colour-code goals to visualise their aspirations creatively.
• Circulate to provide personalised, encouraging feedback, helping students refine vague goals into SMART goals.

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5. Peer Feedback and Sharing (10 minutes)

• Students pair up and exchange their goal sheets.
• Each student gives positive, constructive feedback on their partner’s goals, focusing on clarity and feasibility.
• Facilitator models respectful language for feedback to ensure a positive experience.
• Invite a few volunteers to share a goal they are excited about, fostering encouragement and accountability.

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6. Closure and Reflection (5 minutes)

• Recap key lesson points: Reflecting on success builds confidence; coping strategies support goal achievement; SMART goals increase chances of success.
• Quick written exit ticket: “One thing I am proud of from last year and one goal I am excited about.”
• Thank students for their openness and participation.

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Differentiation

• Provide sentence starters or checklists for students who require scaffolding in goal-setting.
• Offer extension activities, such as writing a short action plan for each goal, for more able learners.
• Use visual aids and examples to support EAL learners.

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Assessment for Learning

• Formative assessment through observation of discussions and reflection activities.
• Review of students’ SMART goals sheets for understanding and application of the criteria.
• Exit tickets to gauge individual reflection and commitment.

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Cross-Curricular Opportunities

• English: Use of precise, descriptive language in writing goals.
• Art: Creative visualisation and presentation of goals.
• ICT (optional): Typing goals or creating digital mind maps.

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Teacher Notes: Differentiated Grouping for 3 Students

With a smaller group (3 students), deepen discussions by:

• Developing personalised support for each student’s reflection and goal-setting process.
• Encouraging each student to both present and receive peer mentoring.
• Allow more time for extended discussion on coping mechanisms and goal challenges.

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By embedding reflective practices and a structured framework for goal setting, this lesson not only equips students with essential life skills but also fosters resilience, helping them to embrace change positively and proactively.