6 Steps to Setting Goals with IB PYP Students
Its that time of year again……reflection, fresh starts, new beginnings and goal setting in the classroom.
A New Year or even back to school with a new school term is an exciting time to gather as a class community and to think about all the dreams and goals that everyone wants to make come true. When we begin with this type of thing, it’s a great idea to just brainstorm and make a list of ALL those aspirations. Dream boards are fun ways to do this. I make one every single year! Dream BIG! Think beyond school! Just get your students thinking forward.
Now, in order to make this list meaningful rather than a forgotten exercise within a few days, we need to encourage the children to turn those dreams into goals.
I have a free GOAL-SETTING activity to support your students as they learn to become self-aware, reflective and active goal-setters. I created these with agency and action in mind.
HEAD OVER TO THE FREE TOOLS LIBRARY TO GET THEM!
Goal setting is a practice that operates on a set of specific skills—and luckily, these skills are relatively easy to teach. Take time to plan for explicit learning experiences that focus on BEING reflective thinkers. Its a perfect connection to the Learner Profile and those Social & Self-Management Skills.
Dream boards or vision boards are simple and fun ways to just go ALL out and dream! Goals begin with a vision.
As adults, we know the importance of setting goals and creating an action plan that will help us to actually MEET those goals. As teachers, I believe it is a part of our responsibility to guide our students towards this all important part of self-reflection, self-management and life planning.
Goal-setting can also build self-esteem by showing the child that they can accomplish what they’re working for. Setting goals can simply be a way for your child to understand what she wants, or what she wants to happen.
Below, I have shared a simple six steps to prepare your kiddos for a new year and new goals. And at the end of this post, I have a set of free goal setting activities that you can use to practice this process.
1. Create a Habit of Reflection
The ability to set goals is a skill that can help children to develop a sense of responsibility and practice those self-management skills of mindfully understanding who they are and how they work, prioritising and time management. Social skills specifically focus on awareness of self and others.
Reflective thinking is something that can be practised.
I intentionally created a Reflection Journal for every stage of the IB PYP, as a means to build upon the skill of reflective thinking. Since the enhanced PYP, there has been a greater emphasis with on-going reflection. These Reflection Journals can be used daily or weekly. Focused around the Learner Profile, the social, emotional and cognitive benefits include:
- Self awareness
- Improving self esteem & confidence
- Improving decision-making abilities
- Developing critical thinking skills
- Teaching how to organise their time and resources.
- Developing focus and accountability
- Defining reality & separating it from wishful thinking
- Improving motivation, self-management and responsibility
- Teaching dedication & perseverance.
- Goal-setting for learning
- Developing belief in the power of their own achievements
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IB PYP Early Years Reflection Journal
2. Teach Children How to Set Goals
Setting goals isn’t always easy. Oftentimes, children begin with dreams like, ” I want to play in the World Cup football! ” Well, this is all well and good for the future, however, we want goals to be reachable in the shorter term. We want success to be in sight. Acknowledge the dream and celebrate their big picture. Then move on to the here and now. Start with smaller goals that are relevant to the child’s current development and interests. Ask them specifically what they would like to accomplish in the next week, or simply tomorrow. We are teaching the children that goals are things that we take action with, step-by-step. We teach them how to turn their dreams into SMART goals.
- S-Specific
- M-Measurable
- A-Achievable
- R-Rewarding
- T-Time-based
We teach them to take ACTION for themselves. (You can read more about developing student-led action in this article. )
Taking Action Classroom Posters. 3. Help Them Choose their Goal
By combining action with goal setting, the children make the connection that it takes steps to accomplish anything. This brings in the action cycle:
choose – act – reflect.
IBPYP Reflection Journals
Setting goals, tracking goals with the Reflection Journal for Big Kids We want the children to see this as a step-by-step process that they can use daily to benefit themselves and others. Taking action doesn’t have to be done separately and can be easily integrated into your days.
The key to setting a goal is to let them choose it on their own. We want to give them their voice.To help them to discover their main goal, you can ask guiding questions such as:
- What is something that you want to try?
- What is one thing you want to improve?
- What challenges do you keep coming up against?
- How can you make your talents grow even more?
- What if you couldn't fail? What would you choose?
And don’t forget to schedule a deadline for the main goal. The mini goals will proceed with finishing dates too. Making each step timely, helps to track the goals and measure the progress. When goals are time-based, there becomes a sense of urgency and drive.
** I advise that you only stick to one goal per term to avoid putting too much pressure on the children. We want it to be attainable and within a time-frame that they can see ahead of them. We also want it to be personally rewarding. We want them to COMMIT.
4. Break the BIG goal into Smaller Steps
Now that the child has defined their goal, we want to make sure that it is achievable. To make this BIG goal more manageable, help the children to break it down into smaller steps or mini-goals. This will become the action plan leading to their objective.
Example 1: MAIN GOAL: I will KNOW my times tables by December.
Action plan: 1. Make a chart to record my progress. 2. Make a times tables fan to keep in my desk. 3. Create a times tables poster to hang above my bed. 4. Learn one times table every week. 5. Practice with my Dad. 6. Set up a time tables practice group at playtime with friends.
Example 2: MAIN GOAL: I will tie my own shoelaces in one month.
Action Plan: 1. Ask my Mummy and Daddy to show me everyday for a week. 2. I will practice by myself every morning. 3. I will NOT ask my teacher to help me at school. 4. I will UNDERSTAND that I am learning and I will make mistakes at first.
5. Identify Possible Challenges
As much as goal-setting is a positive behaviour, we want children to recognise that things could go wrong. Part of embracing failure is understanding that things may not go to plan and to prepare them for overcoming potential problems. This mindset helps children to see that everyone can run into difficulties, to believe in their own power to persevere and to find solutions. This is a great discussion for those Approaches to Learning Social Skills and Self-Management Skills.
- Ask a grown up for help.
- Remember why you started this goal
- Celebrate your achievements, even the tiny ones.
- Reflect on how you can improve.
- Focus on finding solutions
Teach IBPYP Children How to Set Goals
These goal setting banners are a great way to reflect upon the upcoming year and to set goals related to the IB PYP Learner Profile. The finished result looks wonderful in your IB PYP classroom. And those goals are hanging right there, under those little noses, keeping everyone accountable.
You can see how I put these Learner Profile goal-setting banners into practice with my grade 4 here.
6. Write it. Record it. Document it.
Many studies state that writing down your goals is strongly associated with successfully meeting those goals. That’s why I have created these goal-setting resources. Each of the resources I have created for goal-setting puts these 6 steps into practice in a kid-friendly manner, turning them into a tangible action plan that allows for accountability. You can take a look at any of the resources by clicking on the pictures or links. And, the free set is all set up for big kids and little kids. If you’d like a set, just add your email below and I’ll send it to you.
Start setting goals with your students now! Make the new year the perfect opportunity for developing reflective thinking skills and building those life skills which lead to greater self-management.
Enjoy!
P.S. As always, I’d love to hear how you put these resources to use with your class. You can comment below or simply tag me in social media posts. Instagram @pypteaching Facebook @ PYPteachingtools
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