Goal Setting Lesson Plan: Health Education 9-12
Goals are important to have purpose and improve your life. Help your teenage high school students learn how to set goals and practicing making goals.
Starting statement
Today we are going to be talking about goals and how making goals helps your life in so many ways. We can just let life pass us by or we can actively choose to create things we want in our lives. Our purpose today is to look at our own individual lives and see what areas we can set goals in so we can improve ourselves and our lives.
Quote activity
Here are some quotes you can print out. Give them to a student, or if there are several students you can put them into groups to discuss what the quote is saying about goals. They will share the quote and their ideas with the class.
- “If you want a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.” -Albert Eistein
- “If you aim for nothing, you’ll hit it every time.” -Michael Korda
- “The greater danger for most of us isn’t that our aim is too high and miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.” -Michelangelo
- “You need lofty goals. Then cement it with a great work ethic.” -Jerry West
- “It is harder to stay on top than it is to make the climb. Continue to seek new goals.” -Pat Summitt
- “All successful people have a goal. No one can get anywhere unless he knows where he wants to go and what he wants to be or do.” -Norman Vincent Peale
Discussion questions:
- Do you think setting goals is important?
- Do you have to write down every goal you set?
- How can goals benefit your life?
Here are a few benefits to share for their writing:
- They give life meaning
- They help us reach our potential
- They help us develop talents and skills
- They help life be more fun
Statement
There are many benefits of making goals in our lives. We can think about what we want and then make a plan to achieve these desires. You can write out specific goals and a plan of how to reach the goal. There are different types of goals. Here are a few to think about.
- Immediate goals: Can be achieved in a day or two.
- Intermediate goals: Can be achieved in a few days to weeks.
- Short-term goals: Can be achieved in weeks to months.
- Long-term goals: Can be achieved in months to years.
Writing assignment
Have them think of and write a goal they have that fits each area discussed.
Example for Intermediate goal: I am going to study for the history test today and tomorrow.
Writing assignment
Now they will look at a few areas of life that they should be actively setting goals in. Have them look at each area and write a goal that they do have or could have for that area.
Activity
Have 3 students come up to a wall and give them each 3 pieces of tape. With the first piece of tape they just reach as high as they can and put the tape on the wall. Both feet have to be flat on the floor. With the second piece of tape they can go on their tiptoes and the only rule is that a part of one of their feet has to be on the floor. With the third piece of tape they can jump to get it as high as they can.
Discussion
The first piece of tape represents that each of us has things we are naturally good at. Notice that all of these pieces of tape are at a different height. Why? We are all different and have different talents and abilities. We should not be trying to be like other people, just be our best selves. Don’t compare yourself and your abilities to others.
The second piece of tape represents that there are goals that you can only achieve if you are willing to work at them and put some effort into them. You will have some things in life that you need to put a little extra effort in to achieve your goals.
The third piece of tape represents that there are goals in life that you will only be able to achieve if you put your best effort into it. This will take hard work, perseverance, and determination.
What do you think you are capable of? What are you willing to work for in life? What benefits will come to your life when you are actively pursuing little and big goals?
Goal Writing Notes
Write your answer to these discussion questions.
- Do you think setting goals is important?
- Do you have to write down every goal you set?
- How can setting goals benefit our life?
What are your Goals
- Write a goal you have for each type of goal.
- Immediate goals: Can be achieved in a day or two.
- Intermediate goals: Can be achieved in a few days to weeks.
- Short-term goals: Can be achieved in weeks to months.
- Long-term goals: Can be achieved in months to years.
Goals
| Area of Life | Short-term Goal | Long-term Goal |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Health | ||
| Mental Health | ||
| Social Health | ||
| Talent or skill |
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