Goal Setting

Goal Setting in Physical
Science

Learning How to Set, Track,
and Reflect on Your Goals

Lesson Objectives

This lesson teaches you about setting meaningful goals using the
SMART criteria, understanding the importance of tracking your progress,
and learning how to reflect on your achievements. By setting and
pursuing goals in your science class, you can enhance your learning
experience and achieve better outcomes.

Objectives:
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Learn about goals and their importance.

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Learn to create SMART goals.

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Learn to track and reflect on goals.

Applying Goal Setting in Real Life

Think about setting a fitness goal, like being able to run a
mile without stopping in one month. You can track your
progress by timing your runs and reflect on your
improvements.

Share with the class a goal you want to achieve outside of
school and how you plan to track and reflect on it.

Words to Know

●

Goals: Specific things you want to achieve.

●

Motivation: The reason or reasons you have for acting or
behaving in a particular way.

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SMART Goals: A framework for setting clear and reachable
goals.

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Achievable: Something that is possible to do.

●

Tracking: Checking your progress regularly.

●

Reflection: Thinking about what you’ve done well or what you
can improve.

What Are Goals?

Goals are specific things you want to achieve. For
example, improving your grades, understanding a
certain topic better, or finishing a science project
on time.

You can set a goal to improve your science
grades by studying a little bit every day.

Let's Try It: What Are Goals?

If Naomi wants to finish her science project a week
early, what kind of goal is she setting?

Let's Try It Together: What Are Goals?

Which of the following is an example of a
specific goal for Physical Science class?

A. I want to do better in science.
B. I want to learn everything.
C. I want to understand the periodic table by
the end of this month.
D. I want to pass all tests.

What Are SMART Goals?

SMART goals are a way to make sure your
goals are clear and reachable. They stand for
Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
and Time-bound.

You can create a SMART goal for your science
class, like aiming to complete all experiments
one week before the deadline.

Let's Try It: What Are SMART Goals?

Lucas wants to improve his grade by 10%
over the next month. How is this a SMART
goal?

Let's Try It Together: What Are SMART Goals?

If Maria completes her science booklet in 4
weeks, and she set a goal to finish it in 5
weeks, how early did she achieve her goal?

How to Track and Reflect on Goals

Tracking involves checking your progress regularly.
Reflection is thinking about what you’ve done well or
what you can improve. This process helps in identifying
challenges and celebrating successes.

By keeping a journal or using apps, you can track what
you’ve done and reflect on your learning.

Let's Try It: How to Track and Reflect on Goals

If Ayesha writes down what she learned every week
in science class, what is she doing?

Let's Try It Together: How to Track and Reflect on Goals

Which method can help you reflect on your
goal progress in science class?

A. Ignore your goals until the end of term
B. Keep a reflection journal or use apps
C. Depend solely on memory
D. Wait for results without self-assessment

Think About the Lesson

What is one thing you learned or one question you have
about today's lesson? Write or draw your response.

Exit Ticket: What Are Goals?

Why is setting goals important for your science class?

A. Goals prevent you from studying.
B. Goals make science harder.
C. Goals are just suggestions.
D. Goals help you stay focused and motivated.

Exit Ticket: What Are SMART Goals?

Which of the following best describes a
SMART goal?

A. Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant,
Time-bound
B. Special, Manageable, Adjustable, Reliable,
Tasty
C. Simple, Mysterious, Accurate, Rapid,
Temporary
D. Silly, Motivational, Available, Relaxing,
Timid

Exit Ticket: How to Track and Reflect on Goals

Albert checks his science goal progress every
2 weeks. How many check-ins does he do in a
nine-week term?