💛 SELLevel 1Lesson 8
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Setting Small Goals

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What you will learn

  • 1Explain what a goal is
  • 2Write my own goal using the sentence template
  • 3Describe at least two steps you will take to reach it
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Mini Lesson

Did you know that every big achievement starts with a small goal? A goal is something you decide to work toward. It gives you a direction — like a compass pointing to where you want to go!

What is a goal?

  • A goal is something you want to achieve or get better at.
  • Good goals are small and specific — not "I want to be good at everything," but "I want to read one book this week."
  • Good goals are things you can do something about — not just wishes, but plans.

The goal sentence template

  • My goal is to ___.
  • I will do this by ___ and ___.
  • I will know I have reached my goal when ___.

Example — Mia's goal

  • "My goal is to read one book by myself."
  • "I will do this by reading five pages every evening and asking for help with hard words."
  • "I will know I have reached my goal when I finish the last page."

Tips for reaching your goal

  • Break it into small steps — do a little bit each day.
  • Tell someone your goal — it helps you stay on track.
  • If you find it hard, go back to the calm-down steps from Lesson 5.
  • Celebrate every small step forward — not just the finish!

Words to know

Goal

Something you decide to work toward

e.g. My goal is to read one book this week.

Plan

The steps you will take to reach your goal

e.g. My plan is to read 5 pages every night.

Step

One small action you do toward a goal

e.g. Each step gets me closer to my goal.

Specific

Clear and exact, not vague

e.g. A specific goal is "read one book," not "be smart."

Achieve

To finish or reach a goal

e.g. I want to achieve my reading goal.

Goal sentence template showing three sentence starters with blank spaces to fill inA blue goal card with three sentence starters. Line 1: My goal is to blank. Line 2: I will do this by blank and blank. Line 3: I will know I reached it when blank.My Goal CardMy goal is to_________________________________I will do this by_________________________________I will know I reached it when_________________________________
The goal card template — three sentence starters to complete when setting any goal.
Staircase showing four tips for reaching a goalFour steps rising left to right. Step 1: Break it into small steps. Step 2: Do a little bit each day. Step 3: Tell someone your goal. Step 4: Celebrate every step.Tips to Reach Your Goal1. Break it into small stepsBig goals feel easier when split up2. Do a little bit each daySmall steps add up to big progress3. Tell someone your goalIt helps you stay on track4. Celebrate!Every step is a win
Four tips for reaching a goal — break it up, do a little each day, tell someone, and celebrate every step.
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Ask yourself: "What is one small goal I can set for this week? What will I do each day to get there?"

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