Lesson Plan: Creating a Vision Board for Goals and Hopes & Dreams

Grade Level: Gifted 3rd-5th Grade Scholars
Lesson Title: “Creating a Vision Board for Our Goals and Hopes & Dreams”

Objective:

  • Introduce scholars to the concept of a vision board and its purpose.
  • Guide scholars in creating their own vision boards to visualize and focus on their academic goals, hopes, and dreams for the year.
  • Emphasize how a vision board can help scholars achieve their dreams and make a positive impact.

Duration: 30 minutes

Materials Needed:

  • Copies of the reading passage
  • Large construction paper or poster board
  • Magazines, old books, or printed images
  • Glue sticks, scissors
  • Markers, colored pencils, or crayons
  • Vision board templates (optional)
  • F.R.O.G. Binders (For Recognition of Growth)

Lesson Plan

1. Introduction to Vision Boards (5 minutes)

Introduction:

  • Greet the scholars and introduce the concept of a vision board.
  • Script: “Today, we’re going to create something special called a vision board. A vision board is a visual tool that helps you focus on your goals and dreams. By putting your hopes and dreams onto a board, you can see them every day and stay inspired to achieve them.”

Objective Explanation:

  • Script: “We’ll start by reading a passage about someone who used a vision board to reach their goals. Then, we’ll make our own vision boards to visualize what we want to achieve this year and how we can make a positive impact.”

2. Reading Passage and Discussion (10 minutes)

Reading Passage:

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

Title: “How Jane’s Vision Board Helped Her Achieve Her Dreams”

  • Passage: “Jane always dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. She loved animals and wanted to help them. One day, she created a vision board. She cut out pictures of animals, books about veterinary science, and inspiring quotes. She even added a picture of a veterinarian helping a dog. Jane looked at her vision board every day. It reminded her to study hard in school and volunteer at the animal shelter. Over time, Jane’s vision board helped her stay focused on her dream. She went on to study veterinary science in college and became a successful veterinarian.”

Discussion:

  • Activity: Discuss the passage with the scholars.
  • Discussion Points:
  • Script: “What was Jane’s dream? How did her vision board help her? What did she include on her vision board?”
  • Encourage scholars to think about how visualizing their goals can keep them motivated.
  • Script: “Why do you think seeing her dreams every day helped Jane achieve them?”

3. Creating Personal Vision Boards (15 minutes)

Explaining the Vision Board:

  • Activity: Explain what a vision board is and how to create one.
  • Instructions:
  • Script: “A vision board is a collection of images, words, and drawings that represent your goals and dreams. It’s a way to keep your hopes in sight and stay inspired. You can include pictures, drawings, and words that remind you of your goals and what you want to achieve this year.”

Examples of What to Include:

  • Script: “Here are some ideas of what you might include on your vision board:
  • Academic Goals: Pictures of books or words like ‘reading’ and ‘writing.’
  • Personal Growth: Images or words like ‘kindness,’ ‘learning,’ or ‘confidence.’
  • Hopes & Dreams: Drawings of activities you want to try or places you want to visit.
  • Impact: Pictures or words about how you want to help others or make a difference, like ‘teamwork,’ ‘support,’ or ‘community service.’”

Activity: Creating the Vision Board:

  • Activity: Provide scholars with materials and time to create their vision boards.
  • Instructions:
  • Distribute construction paper or poster board.
  • Allow scholars to choose images from magazines, draw pictures, or write words that represent their goals and dreams.
  • Encourage creativity and personal expression.

Support and Guidance:

  • Walk around to offer assistance, suggestions, and encouragement as scholars work on their vision boards.
  • Examples:
  • “If you want to improve in math, you might draw or cut out a picture of someone solving a problem.”
  • “If you dream of helping the environment, you might include pictures of nature or recycling symbols.”

4. Sharing and Reflecting (5 minutes)

Sharing Vision Boards:

  • Activity: Invite scholars to share their vision boards with the class or in small groups.
  • Instructions:
  • Each scholar shares one or two elements from their vision board and explains how it represents their goals or dreams.
  • Script: “Who would like to share something from their vision board? Tell us about one of your goals and how you represented it.”

Reflection:

  • Discussion: Reflect on the importance of visualizing goals and supporting each other.
  • Script: “How do you think having a vision board will help you stay focused on your goals? How can we support each other in achieving our dreams?”
  • Emphasize the idea that everyone’s success contributes to the classroom community’s success.

5. Conclusion and Next Steps (5 minutes)

Wrap-Up:

  • Summarize the purpose of the vision board and how it will be used throughout the year.
  • Script: “Your vision boards are a way to keep your dreams and goals in front of you. They’ll help you remember what you’re working towards and keep you inspired every day.”

Next Steps:

  • Explain where scholars will keep their vision boards (e.g., in their F.R.O.G. Binders or on a special classroom wall).
  • Script: “We’ll place our vision boards in a special spot so we can see them often. They’ll be a reminder of our hopes and dreams and how we can make a positive impact.”

Dismissal:

  • Thank scholars for their creativity and participation.
  • Encourage them to add to their vision boards as they think of new goals and dreams throughout the year.

Additional Notes:

  • Assessment: Observe scholars’ engagement in the creation of their vision boards and their participation in the sharing activity. Check the vision boards for personal relevance and representation of goals.
  • Extension: Consider revisiting the vision boards periodically to add new elements or reflect on progress towards goals.

This lesson plan helps scholars visualize their goals and dreams, fosters a supportive classroom environment, and emphasizes the importance of making a positive impact.