Goal Setting

Context:

Goal setting is fundamental to long-term success. Goals help myself and students to focus upon the journey to a collection of set achievements, meaning they allocate their resources and time more efficiently and can access motivation during times when they may feel like giving up. It provides opportunities to follow steps to ensure tasks are completed and they are developing academically. It not only teaches time management and organisation skills, but also increases motivation to strive for success. Goal setting provides an opportunity to have something to work towards, to be determined to achieve your own self goals, providing a purpose and focus to selected aspects. In Pod 1C we have a yearly focus goal display wall, where students have independently written down what they would like to achieve by the end of the year. This allows constant reminder to students to strive to what they are wanting to achieve. Further, we have daily goals set as a class. Whether that be through a PITW goal or something that the class themselves, want to achieve in that day. We often reflect on previous days where there may be one aspect that needs a focus on e.g. no calling out. I find goal setting incredibly important and useful as it teaches students young why we always need a purpose or outcome and to be motivated to achieve what we would like to.

Annotation/Action:

In the first two weeks of the year, students were to write down a goal. I had students write down a list of strengths and areas they want to improve on. From this, students identified both areas and were questioned 'how can I better myself? What can I do to improve?'. Students created their formal goals and typed it up on a display poster. I printed out, laminated and placed them on our front of class display wall where it is visible at all times for students. At the end of the year, students will then reflect on their yearly goal by answering the following questions:

• Did I achieve this goal?

• (If no) What actions can I take to achieve it? What factored this?

• (If yes) What did I do to achieve it?

• How could I have extended it?

• What could be my follow up goal? (Next step)

Additionally, each day the class come up with a goal focus on what to achieve by the end of the day.

Results:

Students thoroughly understand the importance of goal setting. They have provided feedback that it is rewarding when their goal is achieved as well motivates them to strive for it. I believe that students find it a rewarding process as they are able to evidently see their progress from the start of the year, to the end of the year. I am looking forward to completing the reflection task to see how students feel about the year they have completed.

Evaluation:

Daily goals and reflections are a strategy that will be used throughout my teaching career. I find it incredibly useful to implement class goals and individual goals, and have students time to reflect on what they want to achieve. Whether that be for the lesson, the day, the term or the year. I also enjoy setting myself goals as their teacher. It allows me to strive to being the best teacher that I can be and deliver the most effective learning that students deserve.

Standards:

3.1 Establish challenging learning goals

3.3 Use teaching strategies

4.1 Support student participation

4.2 Manage classroom activities

4.4 Maintain student safety

Classroom Display Wall

Daily Goals