Academic Lesson Plan

School Counselor: Kate Styzek


Activity: Naviance Lesson on Goal Setting

Grade(s): 6th Grade Students

Focus of the Lesson:

Each middle school student in the CPS system is required to create an Individual
Learning Plan (ILP) in Naviance, complete with SMART goals that will help them
reach the high school level. This lesson is focused on the creation of smart goals in
Naviance for 6th grade students at Volta Elementary. This goal will help students find
value in goal setting, with the hopes of raising PARCC composite scores on the journey
towards middle school graduation.

This year, 96% of 6th grade students created a beginning of the year goal, but just
89.7% completed a middle of the year goal reflection. One of the focuses of this lesson
is aimed at raising goal completion rates in each grade level.

Perception data was taken when 6th graders were asked if goal setting can reduce
stress. Pre and post data was taken before and after last years goal setting lesson. Pre:
55% of 6th grade students responded TRUE and post: 79.2% of 6th grade students
responded FALSE. 44% of students correctly identified an example of a SMART
academic goal on the pre test, and 64% recognized one on the post test. Along with the
creation of SMART academic goals in student’ ILP’s on Naviance, this lesson will aim
at increasing the awareness of the use of goals in reducing stress, and identifying a
SMART goal. It will also be used to motivate students academically, creating an
increase in test scores and grades.

Lastly, in 2017, only 12% of 6th grade students at Volta Elementary met PARCC
performance expectations for the state of Illinois. Through the creation of academic
goals, the goal of this lesson is for students to increase their learning, thus increasing
their composite PARCC test scores from only 12% meeting expectations.



ASCA Mindsets & Behaviors (Domain/Standard):

M. 5 Belief in using abilities to their fullest to achieve high-quality results and

outcomes

B-LS 7 Identify long- and short-term academic, career and social/emotional goals
B-SMS 5. Demonstrate perseverance to achieve long- and short-term goals

B-SS 1. Use effective oral and written communication skills and listening skills

Learning Objective(s) (aligns with competency):

1. Understand what a SMART goal is and why they are helpful

2. Log onto Naviance and find students’ ILP’s

3. List at least two ways goal setting can help you as a student

4. Identify a subject in school you would like to improve in

Materials: Worksheets, writing utensils, computer for power point, (for counselor),
and computer cart so each student can have internet access to Naviance.

Computer cart for students to have individual access to computers.

Procedure:

1) Students take pre-test of why goal setting is important.

2) In 20 words or less, have students write down initial thoughts on why setting goals
is important. They only have 3 minutes to write, so thoughts should be short off the
top of their heads. After all students are done, have them share their thoughts in
table groups.

3) Introduce SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Time dependent)

goals to students and give examples of academic SMART goals such as: "I will get
a B in math," "I will read for 20 minutes every night," and "I will graduate from
Volta."

4) Play “Is it a SMART goal?” With students. Goals appear on power point in front of
class. Each table group looks at the goal presented in front of the class and shares if
they think it is a SMART goal or not. 1 or 2 tables (dependent on answers given
and time taken) gets an opportunity to share why they believe it is a SMART goal
or not. Examples of goals are attached below, (some are SMART, others are not for
students to have an opportunity to direct and discuss).

5) Introduce Naviance: “What is Naviance?” - A tool for goal-setting to help students

with college & career planning in middle school and high school. And, “What will
I have to do on Naviance?” - Every CPS middle school student is required to
 complete an ILP (Individual Learning Plan) that includes tasks in goal setting,
career surveys, and high school planning.

6) Allow students to open their computers and teach them how to log on to Naviance.
Show them how to reach their ILP’s and goal creation page. Today, they will focus
on their beginning of the year and middle of the year academic SMART goal.

7) Remind students of academic SMART goals with examples: - I will pass the 6th
grade, I will graduate from Volta, I will read 20 minutes every night.

8) Give students time to create an academic SMART goal. Walk around class as they
work to answer questions and track progress.

9) Allow time at the end of the lesson to let some students pair and share, then share
as a group.

10) Students take post-test on why goal-setting is important.

Plan for Evaluation:

Process Data: 100% of 6th grade students at Volta Elementary will participate in the
lesson plan for creating academic SMART goals in their ILP on Naviance.

Perception Data: At least 85% of 6th grade students will be able to create an academic
SMART goal. 90% of students will be able to identify 3 reasons why goals can help
them reach higher education levels by helping them achieve better grades in middle
school. 75% of students will be able to recognize an academic SMART goal on the post
test.

Outcome Data: As a result of creating ILPs and academic SMART goals, there will
be a 4% decrease, from 88% to 84% in 6th grade students who did not meet
expectations for PARCC test scores. (Thus, the amount of students who meet Illinois
State expectations on their PARCC test scores will increase from 12% to 16%).

Follow-Up: After three weeks, the school counselor will go on Naviance and look at
data to see what students have filled out appropriate, academic SMART goals.
Counselor will follow up with students who have not completed thees goals accurately,
or at all.

In January, the school Counselor will discuss middle of the year goal reflections with
each class.
Further potential follow-up to pursue: Creating a professional development day for
middle school teachers for “on track” data why it is important in helping Volta students
reach the next level of education.