S.M.A.R.T. Goals for Smart Third Graders

Goal setting is an important component of students' motivation, self-regulation, and achievement in academic settings. A goal is a behavior or outcome that one is consciously trying to perform or attain. Goal setting refers to the process of establishing that behavior or outcome to serve as the aim of one's actions. Goals can exert positive effects in achievement settings by directing learners' attention to important activities and away from distractions and by mobilizing their effort and persistence directed toward goal attainment.

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Last week, students reviewed their goals for NWEA growth targets and re-read their October S.M.A.R.T. goals. We discussed our progress towards our goals and worked to establish new goals.

The process of setting goals allows students to choose where they want to go in school and what they want to achieve. By knowing what they want to achieve, they know what they have to concentrate on and improve. Goal setting gives students long-term vision and short-term motivation.

Shy'Diamond  and Jayda works on their S.M.A.R.T. goals for literacy, math, and behavior.

Having sharp, clearly defined goals, which students can measure, will allow them to take pride in accomplishing those goals. They can see clear forward progress in what might have seemed a long drawn out process.

By setting goals students can:
1.improve their academic performance

Marion's goal is to learn how to use the make-a-ten
mental math strategy of addition in math.

2.increase pride and satisfaction in performance

TaMya's goal is to listen to the person that is reading,
follow the reading procedure in class every day, pick reading
books that she can read, and be prepared.

3.increase their motivation to achieve

Kaylin's goal is to read 30 minutes each night and record
it on her reading log.

4.improve their self-confidence

Sharnetta reads her goal.