Lesson Plan: Setting Goals and Hopes & Dreams for the Year

Grade Level: Gifted 3rd-5th Grade Scholars
Lesson Title: “Setting Goals and Hopes & Dreams for the Year”

Objective:

  • Help scholars set personal goals and articulate their hopes and dreams for the year.
  • Foster a positive classroom community where scholars support each other’s aspirations.
  • Read and discuss a historical example of someone who achieved their hopes and dreams despite challenges.

Duration: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

  • Copies of the reading passage (historical example)
  • Goal-setting worksheets
  • F.R.O.G. Binders (For Recognition of Growth)
  • Pencils, markers, and erasers
  • Whiteboard and markers
  • Sticky notes or index cards

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction and Objective Setting (5 minutes)

Introduction:

  • Greet the scholars warmly and explain the purpose of the lesson.
  • Script: “Today, we’re going to set our goals and think about our hopes and dreams for the year. We’ll also talk about how we can support each other as a classroom community, because when one person succeeds, we all succeed.”

Objective Explanation:

  • Script: “We’ll start by reading a story about someone from history who achieved their dreams even though they faced many challenges. Then, we’ll set our own goals and talk about how we can help each other reach our hopes and dreams.”

2. Reading Passage and Discussion (10 minutes)

Reading Passage:

  • Activity: Distribute copies of the passage or read aloud together.

Title: “Marie Curie: Achieving Dreams Through Determination”

  • Passage: “Marie Curie was a brilliant scientist who dreamed of discovering something that would help the world. Even though she faced many challenges, like not having enough money and being told that women couldn’t be scientists, she never gave up. She went on to discover radium and polonium, two new elements, and won two Nobel Prizes. Her work helped save many lives and changed science forever.”

Discussion:

  • Activity: Discuss the passage with the scholars.
  • Discussion Points:
  • Script: “What were Marie Curie’s hopes and dreams? What challenges did she face? How did she overcome them?”
  • Encourage scholars to think about how determination and support helped Marie Curie achieve her dreams.
  • Script: “How do you think she felt when she finally achieved her goals? How do you think her success affected others?”

3. Setting Personal Goals and Hopes & Dreams (10 minutes)

Goal-Setting Activity:

  • Activity: Distribute goal-setting worksheets to the scholars.
  • Instructions:
  • Scholars will write down at least one personal goal and one hope or dream they have for the school year.
  • Examples:
    • Goal: “I want to read 10 books by the end of the semester.”
    • Hope/Dream: “I hope to become better at drawing and enter an art contest.”

Classroom Community Support:

  • Discussion: Talk about how their goals and dreams can support each other.
  • Script: “In our classroom, when someone reaches their goals, it makes our whole community stronger. How can we help each other achieve our hopes and dreams?”

Activity – Support Ideas:

  • Activity: Have scholars write down one way they can support a classmate’s goal or dream on a sticky note or index card.
  • Examples:
  • “I can encourage my friend who wants to improve in math by studying together.”
  • “I can cheer for someone who wants to get better at public speaking.”

Sharing:

  • Invite a few scholars to share their goals and dreams and how they plan to support their classmates.

4. Creating a Hopes & Dreams Wall (5 minutes)

Hopes & Dreams Wall:

  • Activity: Create a Hopes & Dreams wall in the classroom.
  • Instructions:
  • Scholars can decorate a sticky note or index card with their written goals and dreams and attach it to the wall.
  • Script: “Let’s create a wall where we can all see our hopes and dreams. This will remind us of our goals and how we’re working together to achieve them.”

Classroom Reflection:

  • Discussion: Reflect on how seeing everyone’s goals can inspire and motivate the whole class.
  • Script: “Every time we look at this wall, let’s remember that we’re all working together. Your success is our success, and we’re here to cheer each other on.”

5. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (5 minutes)

Wrap-Up:

  • Summarize the importance of setting goals and supporting each other.
  • Script: “Today, we set our goals and shared our hopes and dreams. Remember, achieving your goals takes hard work and determination, just like Marie Curie showed us. And in our classroom, we support each other to make sure everyone can reach their dreams.”

Next Steps:

  • Explain how they will use their F.R.O.G. Binders to track their progress on their goals.
  • Script: “We’ll put our goal-setting sheets in our F.R.O.G. Binders. As you make progress, we’ll update them and celebrate your achievements!”

Dismissal:

  • Thank scholars for their participation and enthusiasm.
  • Encourage them to think about how they can start working towards their goals today.

Additional Notes:

  • Assessment: Observe scholars’ engagement in the discussion and their participation in the goal-setting activity. Review the goal-setting worksheets to understand their aspirations and plans.
  • Extension: Consider setting up regular check-ins to review progress on their goals and update the Hopes & Dreams wall.

This lesson plan encourages scholars to set meaningful goals and fosters a supportive classroom environment where everyone’s dreams and aspirations are valued and celebrated.