Stories by Storie

Everyone has a story to tell. What is yours?

  • Stories by Storie
  • Home
  • About
  • Blog
    • Book Activities
    • Book Lists
    • Classroom Management
    • Freebies
    • Math
    • Reading Tips
    • Writing
  • Free
  • Shop
    • Teachers Pay Teachers
    • Amazon
    • Bookshop
  • Subscribe
  • Contact

Goal Setting Mistakes to Avoid

July 12, 2021

Teachers and students often set goals at the start of a new year. However, just because those goals are set doesn’t offer a guarantee that they will be met. In fact, there are many mistakes teachers and students can make on their goal setting journey. These mistakes might leave everyone feeling discouraged or frustrated, which leads to abandoning those goals altogether. Here are some goal setting mistakes to avoid in the classroom.

Teachers and students often set goals at the start of a new year. However, just because those goals are set doesn't offer a guarantee that they will be met. Here are some goal setting mistakes to avoid in the classroom.

Goal Setting Mistakes to Avoid

Choosing Too Many Goals

When sitting down to set goals, we often think about each and every little thing that needs improvement. While it would be ideal to turn all of these issues around, it’s just not feasible to tackle them all at one time. Instead, choose one or two that need immediate attention and put all of your energy into those goals. Over time, you can gradually add in more goals or swap out goals, as needed. Remember, it’s about quality not quantity.

Setting Goals Without Thinking of the Big Picture

When you’re ready to set goals, you can’t just randomly choose something, cross your fingers, and hope it works. You already know what strengths and weaknesses your students have, so identify what needs the most improvement to help your classroom function at its peak level and start there.

Starting Too Big or Too Small

Setting goals in the classroom is a lot like Goldilocks visiting the bears’ cottage in the woods. As she sat in the chairs, one was too big, one was too small, and one was just right. Finding that sweet spot is so important and not always easy to see right away. When you set goals that are too big, everyone will get frustrated quickly or give up. Likewise, when you set a goal that is too easy to achieve, what’s the point of even setting goals? Setting goals should push you and your students out of your comfort zone, but in a way that helps everyone grow.

Setting Vague or Nonspecific Goals

As I mentioned earlier, you need to have the big picture in mind when setting goals. If your goals are too vague or not specific, they won’t align with the big picture. And when that happens, your progress will come to a screeching halt.

Setting Goals Without a Clear Timeframe

So you see the big picture and you’ve set specific goals – now what? Those goals aren’t just going to happen overnight. And when you’re in the classroom, you don’t have an entire year to meet them. You need to have a plan in place for when those goals will be met. Think about the big picture and what steps need to happen to get there. This will help you set the timeframe. But, don’t forget to add a little wiggle room because there will be some unexpected surprises that pop up.

Not Making Time to Reflect

Whether your timeline is 1 week, 1 month, or even longer, you can’t just wait for the timer to go off to see how your students are doing. You need to build in time to reflect on what’s working and also make time to adjust, as needed. Your students will also need encouragement along the way in order to stay motivated and on track.

Focusing on the Negative

When it comes to setting goals, you are more likely to make progress when you look at things with a positive frame of mind. Working towards a goal takes hard work. Obstacles will come your way that can set the whole plan off track. When you focus on the negative or expect perfection, things will snowball out of control very quickly. One easy way to stay positive is to help students recognize and celebrate the progress being made towards each goal.

Choosing the Wrong Audience

As classroom teachers, each year presents you with a fresh group of students and new challenges. What worked for the previous classroom may not work (or even be needed) for the next. When you set goals with the target audience in mind, you’re already on the right track.

Helpful Tips & Tricks

Ready to get started with goal setting in the classroom? Here are some helpful blog posts, resources, and picture books.

You can read more about how I helped my second graders set goals and track progress here:
Classroom Goal Setting part one | part two

You can find my favorite goal tracking sheets here:
Classroom Goals (editable)

Grab some picture books to help your students set goals in the classroom. You can find my favorite picture books for goal setting here.

You might also enjoy these blog posts:

  • Classroom Rewards That Won’t Break the Bank
  • Classroom Management Tips
  • Tips for Managing Hallway Behavior
  • Classroom Economy: How I Use Money in the Classroom

Happy Teaching!

Teachers and students often set goals at the start of a new year. However, just because those goals are set doesn't offer a guarantee that they will be met. Here are some goal setting mistakes to avoid in the classroom.
signature

Related posts:

Whether you're a brand new teacher, a veteran, or somewhere in between, you've probably encountered a challenging student or two in the classroom. I know I have. It's important to create an environment that is welcoming, but also one where learning can take place. Here are some classroom management tips to help you maintain that balance.Classroom Management Tips Kindness is so important, but doesn't come easily to everyone. Sometimes we need to explicitly teach and model this trait for our students just as we would for academic skills. Here are some easy ways to encourage kindness in the classroom.Ways to Encourage Kindness in the Classroom 3 Ways to Foster Gratitude in the Classroom Read Aloud Tips Picture Books for Goal Setting
«
»

Filed Under: classroom management, teacher tips Leave a Comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Categories

Latest on Instagram

Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand Do you prefer to blend in OR do you dare to stand out?

At school, Monique wore a uniform every single day. But looking just like everyone else was not for her. One day, she found a huge, red hat in a trunk in the attic and decided she’d wear it to school. Everyone noticed her and had something to say, which made Monique smile…until a teacher told her she had to take off the hat. 

The next day, everyone at school was wearing a hat - everyone except Monique, who was already planning something new to wear the following day. With each new idea and accessory that makes Monique unique comes a series of kids who copy and mimic her style. Can she find a way to be different?

This book is often hard to find, but has a great message about individuality and celebrating that it’s okay to be different! Have you read this one yet?

@kanemillerbooks
The holiday books have been put away. That means o The holiday books have been put away. That means our shelf is ready for a fresh stack of books to share for bedtime stories. Here’s what came home with me on my latest trip to the local library. 

👀 See any titles that catch your eye?
I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the I may introduce a lot of books to you here on the gram, but sometimes YOU are the ones who introduce books to me. This is one of those stories.

Sarah lives alone in her little house now that her children are all grown up. Every time she looks out her window, she sees the neighborhood children waiting for the bus. One winter morning she notices a boy who doesn’t have mittens. This worries her, so she gathers some supplies and sets out to knit him a new pair. Once finished, she hangs them on the tree next to the bus stop. 

When the boy finds the mittens the next day, he quickly tries them on and beams at their perfect fit. Sarah’s heart is filled with joy and it isn’t long before she makes even more mittens to hang on the tree. The kids look forward to finding these new treasures each morning at the bus stop. Sarah is sure that no one knows it is her adding to the mitten tree until one day she returns home and finds a surprise waiting for her - a basket filled with beautiful balls of yarn.

This heartwarming story has a great message about kindness, community, and the joy that comes from helping others. It would make a great addition to your winter book collection!

Have you read The Mitten Tree?

#themittentree
I might share a lot of picture books, but I do lov I might share a lot of picture books, but I do love chapter books, too. One of my favorites for January is Mr. Popper’s Penguins. While this story has been around for decades, it still manages to entertain readers of all ages. ⁣
⁣
If you aren’t familiar, Mr. Popper is a housepainter who daydreams about polar expeditions. One day he receives a real penguin and his world turns upside down. Soon after the penguin grows lonely and the Poppers add a second penguin to their home. It isn’t long before they have 10 penguin chicks, making that 12 penguins in all! With so many mouths to feed, Mr. Popper realizes he will have to do something to bring in more money. That’s when Popper’s Performing Penguins gets started. The show goes on tour and plenty of hilarious antics begin!⁣
⁣
I used this book with some of my reading groups in both 2nd and 3rd grade with the help of a few resources to guide students through the text (comprehension questions for each chapter, vocabulary activities, graphic organizers, and more). There’s also a penguin craft, which was a big hit! This resource is available in my TPT store. Drop a 🐧 in the comments or send me a DM if you’d like the link. ⁣
⁣
When it comes to Mr. Popper’s Penguins, which do you prefer?⁣
📖  Book⁣
🎥  Movie⁣
Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Have you ever felt like you don’t quite fit in? Or maybe you’ve let the opinions of others creep into your mind  and start to doubt yourself? If so, I think you should read Lone Wolf.⁣
⁣
In this story, Maple is a member of the Parker family. She loves playing tug-of-war with Jax, reading with Avery, getting treats, and going for looooooooong walks. But wherever she goes, people comment that she looks more like a wolf than a dog. The Parkers explain the difference between a husky and a wolf, but Maple starts to have her doubts. ⁣
⁣
One day, Maple sees the fence open and takes her chance to explore the wild as a lone wolf. Will Maple love this new lifestyle, or will she realize that home with the Parkers is where she truly belongs? ⁣
⁣
This charming story explores family, self-doubt, and finding the place where you belong. It would be a great story to share in the classroom or at home.⁣
⁣
Have you read Lone Wolf yet?
Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this Whether you’re headed back to the classroom this week or next week, please don’t forget to make time to review your classroom rules and procedures. You can make this process a bit more enjoyable by sharing books. Sometimes these stories have a way of getting through when your words can’t. I put together a list of my favorites on my website. Tap the link in my bio or drop a comment below if you’d like me to send you the link. 

When do students head back to school in your area?
It’s 2023! 🥳⁣ ⁣ Are you making goals or r It’s 2023! 🥳⁣
⁣
Are you making goals or resolutions? Maybe you’ve chosen to focus on one little word instead. No matter how you’re setting yourself up for success in the new year, having a plan is only the first step. One way to get your students excited for making resolutions is to help them understand what a resolution is. I love using the book, Squirrel’s New Year’s Resolution. ⁣
⁣
In this story, Squirrel hears about making New Year’s resolutions on the radio, but she doesn’t know what they are. She visits her friends to find out what they resolve to do in the new year. Bear wants to help others learn to read. Porcupine decides to be less grumpy. What will Squirrel choose for her resolution? ⁣
⁣
Looking for a way to help kids keep their resolutions in mind long after the first week back in school? Try adding a craft. Not only are they fun for kids to make, but when they are on display, kids will have a visual reminder of their hopes and goals for the year. Swipe to take a peek at one to pair with this book. This craft can be found in my TPT store (send me a DM or comment below if you’d like me to send you the link).⁣
⁣
What are your favorite books to start off the new year?

Copyright © 2023 · Website Design By Jumping Jax Designs