Purpose Statement
Setting goals is an important skill and tool for student
success, but following up on that goal is equally important.
Description of
Activity
Students set a goal for themselves for the semester and
write it down.
The goal should be reaonable, attainable and specific. Students also need to
state how they will know when their goal has been met.
For instance, "I want to spell better" is not a specific goal.
"I will learn to spell 100 new words by the end of the semester" is.
"I will know my goal has been met when I have added 100 words to my new
word list".
After the student has set his or her goal, I place the students into small
"goal groups" of 3-4 students. Students write downt the names of the
members of their goal groups on the goal paper and FILE THE PAPER into their
binder. (I suggest that they file it in the very front or very back of their
binder for easy reference.)
The job of the goal group is to help each member reach their goal. Students
give each other advice, encouragement, and brainstorm solutions together.
What makes this project really WORK, is that the goal is revisited every week.
Students are given a few minutes to write on their goal paper the date and how
it "went" this week in terms of staying on task for their goal. Then,
goal groups come together to discuss the progress of their goals and to repeat
the advice and problem-solving session.
After several weeks of this activity, students realize that the goal is not
going to go away and they may as well try to make it come true.
Materials Needed
This activity does not take much class time, but consistancy
is what makes it successful.
Application
I let the students know that I am available to give them
ideas for resources or advice, but unless asked I "stay out". I think
this allows students to be more honest with their goals.
this
web page was created on 6/6/99 at 5:51:41 PM
and modified on 6/6/99 at 5:51:41 PM