Setting Goals Together

Objective

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Revisit classroom expectations to set a positive tone for the semester.
2. Reflect meaningfully on their performance and experiences in Science during the 1st semester using digital tools.
3. Set personal and academic goals for the 2nd semester, fostering accountability and motivation.

This lesson aligns with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): MS-ETS1: Engineering Design, particularly focusing on self-reflection, goal-setting, and thinking like a problem solver—skills crucial for tackling real-world challenges in science.

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Materials Required

• Google Forms (pre-created reflection for the 1st semester)
• Individual Chromebooks or tablets
• Whiteboard/Smartboard and markers
• Sticky notes (color-coded if available)
• Personal journals or notebooks
• Timer or clock

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Lesson Outline (40 Minutes)

1. Welcome and Reconnecting (5 Minutes)

• Hook Activity (2 Minutes):
  Begin with a quick riddle or science trivia question to reengage students after the long break. Example:
  "What has a head, a tail, is brown, and has no legs?" (Answer: A penny!)

• Teacher Mini-Talk (3 Minutes):
  Greet the class warmly and acknowledge the excitement and challenges of coming back after the holiday break. Briefly outline the structure of the lesson and spark curiosity by sharing how reflection connects to solving real-world problems like scientists improving experiments and engineers iterating on designs.

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2. Review of Classroom Expectations (5 Minutes)

• Write "Expectations = Success" on the board. Ask, "Why do we review classroom expectations?" Let 2-3 students share their thoughts.
• Review key expectations with enthusiasm:
  1. Respect for self, peers, and the environment.
  2. Be prepared and on time.
  3. Embrace curiosity—ask questions, get involved.
  4. Follow safety and technology rules.
• Add a new twist: Introduce "Goal Buddies" for accountability this semester. Explain that students will check in with a partner weekly about Science goals.

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3. Reflect on the 1st Semester (10 Minutes)

• Google Forms Activity (8 Minutes):
  Students use Chromebooks/tablets to complete a pre-made, age-appropriate Google Form titled:
  "Reflecting on Our 1st Semester Journey in Science." Key questions include:

  1. What was your favorite topic or lab experiment? Why?
  2. What is one concept you found challenging?
  3. Did you feel engaged during our Science lessons? What could improve?
  4. What study habits helped you? What would you like to develop?

• Teacher Walk-Around (2 Minutes):
  Monitor and assist students, ensuring everyone stays focused. Praise detailed answers to encourage depth of reflection.

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4. Goal-Setting Workshop (15 Minutes)

• Part 1: Group Brainstorm on Goals (5 Minutes):
  On the whiteboard, create two columns: “Personal Goals” and “Academic Goals.”
  Prompt students to throw out examples for each (e.g., “get more sleep,” “learn about space,” “improve lab safety”). Use sticky notes to make it interactive: have volunteers stick their suggestions on the board as they share.

• Part 2: Individual Goal-Setting (10 Minutes):
  Students write one personal goal and one academic goal in their journals or notebooks. Encourage them to use the SMART criteria:

  • S: Specific
  • M: Measurable
  • A: Achievable
  • R: Relevant
  • T: Time-bound

  Example:

  • Personal goal: “I will go to bed by 9:30 p.m. on school nights for the next 3 weeks.”
  • Academic goal: “I will study vocabulary for Science quizzes twice a week to improve my test scores by 10% this semester.”

• Optional Twist: Students can write their goals on colorful paper strips and attach them to a “Goal Tree” display in the classroom.

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5. Reflection & Big Picture Motivation (5 Minutes)

• Ask a guiding question: “How might setting Science goals this semester help you solve real problems outside of school?”
  Facilitate a brief discussion, connecting their answers to the habits of scientists and engineers who constantly set and adapt goals to improve their designs, experiments, and innovations.

• End with a student affirmation: “We are learners, explorers, and goal-setters. Let’s make this semester our best yet!”

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Assessment

• Collect and review Google Form responses for insights on student perceptions of their last semester.
• Check notebooks to ensure students have written specific and actionable goals.

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Post-Lesson Ideas

• Create a class goal for Science (e.g., “As a class, we will reduce lab material waste by 10% this semester”). Add progress-tracking visuals to the classroom.
• Incorporate quick, weekly goal check-ins with "Goal Buddies."

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Note for the Teacher

Consider displaying inspiring quotes from scientists (e.g., Albert Einstein: “Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”) around the classroom to reinforce the importance of reflection and goal-setting. This can set the tone for an engaged second semester in Science while aligning with 6th-grade developmental needs!