How S.M.A.R.T are your goals?

When setting a goal make sure it is…

SpecificMART

Specific means…

EXACT or CLEAR

Saying that you want to do well in 5th grade is not specific enough. What do you want to do well in? How are you going to do well? How long are you going to give yourself until you decide if you met your goal or not?

When setting a goal make sure it is…

SMeasurableART

Make sure your goal can be checked. How are you going to measure whether or not you met your goal?

For example: My goal as your teacher is to put at least 4 assignments in the grade book each week.

I can easily look at the grade book to determine whether or not I met my goal each week.

When setting a goal make sure it is…

SMAction - OrientedRT

Your goal should require you to do something.

Example: In order to achieve my goal…I have to grade papers regularly during the week and put them in the grade book after I grade them.

When setting a goal make sure it is…

SMAReasonableT

Make sure the goals you set fit your age and grade level.

Example: You would not write a goal that requires you to learn statistics in the 5th grade. This is not a reasonable goal for someone your age!

When setting a goal make sure it is…

SMARTimely

Set a date for when you should meet your goal!

Example: By October 1st, I want to have made my bed every weekday morning before I go to school.

You will easily be able to measure whether or not you made your goal.

How could you keep up with when you made your bed? What type of system could you make up that would allow you to clearly see what days you made your bed?

Let look at more examples of a SMART goal:

(page 47 in student resource book)

Discuss what makes these goals SMART goals. How could you change them into goals that are not SMART?

Now it’s your turn!

Use the handout (page 49) to write your own goal for the next 9 weeks. Make sure to plan it out before you start writing. Be careful to list all the steps you will need to follow to achieve your goal.

Good luck! Reach for the STARS!