SMART Goals in 3rd Grade

Third graders are talking about what makes a goal SMART - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Rewarding and Timely!  While this is a tricky concept for kids to grasp (it's even hard for me as a grown up!) we took the idea of "attainable" and "rewarding" and did an activity to illustrate why it is important to set goals that are possible and yet not too easy.

Students threw bean bag "frogs" into a bucket.  The first time around, they were just one step away.  Waaaaay too easy and not at all rewarding to get all three into the bucket.  The second time around, I asked them to take 25 paces away from the bucket.  With our low ceilings in the hallways, this was impossible!  We reflected after each round and talked about what it felt like.  Was it all that exciting to get the three in when it was too easy?  Were you ready to give up when it was nearly impossible?  Then we discussed the importance of setting our goals so that we will feel really proud when we reach them, but making sure they are possible.

Next time around we will begin "Ready for Success" curriculum which challenges students to create small SMART goals every week to help them build their confidence in academics and beyond!

 Too Easy!

Too hard!!!