The back-to-school season is a perfect time for setting goals and establishing a positive mindset for the new academic year. For elementary students, especially those in special education, setting achievable goals can boost their confidence and motivate them to succeed. Everyday Speech’s Ready to Grow Back to School craft offers a fun and interactive way to help students articulate and visualize their goals. In this blog post, we will explore how to use this Elementary Back to School Goal-Setting Craft to teach goal-setting skills and foster a growth mindset in your classroom.
Why Goal-Setting Matters
Setting goals is crucial for elementary students because it:
- Builds Confidence: Achieving goals boosts self-esteem and encourages a positive attitude.
- Enhances Motivation: Clear goals provide direction and purpose, motivating students to work towards their objectives.
- Develops Responsibility: Students learn to take ownership of their learning and progress.
- Fosters a Growth Mindset: Encourages students to view challenges as opportunities for growth and learning.
Everyday Speech’s Ready to Grow Back to School Craft
The Ready to Grow Back to School craft from Everyday Speech is designed to help students set and visualize their goals for the year. This hands-on activity involves brainstorming growth goals, writing them on plant pots, and creating a visual representation of their goals through a fun craft.
Directions for the Craft
Materials Needed
- Printable plant pots and flowers from Everyday Speech’s craft kit
- Markers, crayons, or colored pencils
- Scissors
- Glue or tape
Activity Steps
1. Brainstorming Growth Goals (10 minutes)
Start by guiding the students through a brainstorming session. Encourage them to think about ways they want to grow this year. These goals can be academic, social, or personal.
Examples of Goals:
- “I want to read more books.”
- “I want to make new friends.”
- “I want to improve my math skills.”
Ask students to think about specific and achievable goals. Limiting the number of goals to one to three ensures that they remain focused and not overwhelmed.
2. Writing Goals on Plant Pots (10 minutes)
Once students have brainstormed their goals, provide them with the printable plant pots. Instruct them to write each goal on a separate plant pot.
Tips for Writing Goals:
- Use clear and simple language.
- Encourage students to write goals that are meaningful to them.
- Provide assistance to students who may need help with writing or spelling.
3. Coloring and Cutting Out Plant Pots and Flowers (15 minutes)
Allow students to use markers, crayons, or colored pencils to color their plant pots and flowers. This creative step helps them take ownership of their goals and makes the activity enjoyable.
After coloring, have students carefully cut out their plant pots and flowers.
4. Assembling the Plants (10 minutes)
Provide glue or tape for students to assemble their plants. Instruct them to tape or glue their flowers to the corresponding plant pots, creating a visual representation of their growth goals.
Steps for Assembly:
- Attach the flower to the top of the plant pot.
- Ensure the goals are clearly visible on the plant pots.
- Arrange the completed plants on a bulletin board or a designated wall in the classroom.
5. Displaying and Reflecting on Goals (5 minutes)
Once the plants are assembled, create a “Ready to Grow” display in the classroom. This can serve as a daily reminder for students to focus on their goals and track their progress.
Encourage students to reflect on their goals regularly. Set aside time for them to review their goals, discuss their progress, and adjust their goals as needed.
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Conclusion
Teaching elementary students about setting goals is a valuable skill that can have a lasting impact on their academic and personal lives. Everyday Speech’s Ready to Grow Back to School craft offers an engaging and interactive way to introduce goal-setting to young learners. By guiding students through brainstorming, writing, and visualizing their goals, teachers can help them develop confidence, motivation, and a growth mindset. Incorporating regular reflections and celebrations of progress further reinforces these skills, setting the foundation for lifelong success. For more resources and tips on teaching goal-setting, stay tuned to our blog.
Sample Video
Try out this sample animated video lesson.
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