This is the time of year we start thinking of setting goals again. For ourselves and for our students. I love how setting goals with our students helps them to partner with us as they make progress. It also helps them take ownership of their learning. As you help your students set learning goals, we have some tips for you to make it easier and doable!
Choose Goals They Are Passionate About
As we help students set learning goals, it is important that they choose goals that are important to them. Not our goals, but their goals. What do our students feel is important and what do they want to build upon?
These growth mindset pennants (they go with our growth mindset banner) encourage students to set a goal and prompt them to decided what action they will take to attain that goal. It is not enough to just set a goal, we also need to figure out how that goal will happen. Otherwise, it is just a wish!
You can pick these reading goal pennants and banner up for FREE here!
Set Realistic Goals
Our second tip is all about setting realistic goals. As adults we know our goals must be attainable or we will give-up and quit. We can guide our students as they set goals they can meet so the goal doesn’t become overwhelming. A lot of New Year’s resolutions are given up on because the bar is set too high. I believe goal setting is better than a resolution we leave behind in a couple of weeks.
Our New Year’s writing is great for January and goal setting! You can get this freebie in our Free Resource Library by signing up here. If you are already a member, go to that link and enter your password. It makes a colorful display as you head back into school too!
Be Specific When Setting Goals
The last tip is to help student be specific as they set their learning goals. Specific language instead of general makes the goal more clear. These are great to use during RTI for students to know exactly what they are working towards.
After students use specific language in goal setting, they then can track their learning progress week to week. My students really enjoy seeing their progress. If progress wasn’t made, that is the time to talk about what can be done to help that. And their growth is only for them. Not other students.
Hope our tips help your students and their learning! Happy goal setting with your students!
Leave a Reply