Setting Writing Goals with Students
The beginning of the year can be hectic! As teachers we often have a long to-do list of things we need to do with our students, but not enough time to do them. One thing that I always prioritize each back-to-school season is setting writing goals with my students.
Setting goals is an empowering experience for students of all ages.
It helps them to take ownership over their learning and focus on areas that they want to improve. The entire process of goal setting is extremely motivating for all students, especially struggling and reluctant writers as it gives them a clear and specific task to work towards and meet. Setting goals with your students is also a great way to get to know your students, their strengths and weaknesses, and build positive relationships right from the first week of school.
GETTING STARTED
I love getting started with goal setting by interviewing each student. Not only does it help me to get to know each individual student’s feelings about writing and their strengths and weaknesses, but these short interviews help me to know students on a personal level, too. (Grab a free interview form here) By taking a few minutes each day during the first week of school to give students one-on-one attention, you will be setting the tone that each student is an important part of your class. If you do not have time to sit and interview each student one on one, try giving them a student survey with the questions that you would have asked them. That way you can still get to know each student individually.
Once my interviews are completed, we spend time as a class learning about the process of setting SMART goals. We start with brainstorming. Have your students brainstorm their strengths as writers, and then have them brainstorm writing areas that they would like to improve. Having two distinct lists helps students focus on areas that will help them grow as writers.
SETTING GOALS
After students have their brainstormed lists completed, use an inverted triangle to help students write a specific and focused goal.
This structure will help students zone in on one element of writing that they want to improve. Some students will need your guidance in setting specific goals. The more specific a goal is, the easier it will be to set up an action plan and progress monitor. Setting goals before each new unit of study is a great way to help students have clear and focused goals that can be reached in a timely manner. Work as a class to create a bank of goals that students can select as their goal or encourage students to come up with their own.
Some writing goal topics we use in my classroom during narrative writing include:
Strong beginnings
Strong endings
Including specific sensory detail
Including figurative language
Using word variety
Varied sentence structure
Point of view
Tone
Clear conflict
Using graphic organizers to plan writing
Editing
Revising
Once the students have written their goals, it is time to create action plans to meet the goals.
Action plans are a list of steps that students take to meet their goals. These hold students accountable. Action plans can include the use of graphic organizers, checklists, practice activities, skill task practice in isolation, asking for help or coming to office hours, and any other way students can think of that will help them grow and meet their goals.
Provide students the resources they need to meet their goal by creating an area in your classroom that has supporting materials, so that students can go to and take what they need. This will help students be invested in their goals and help make the most of any downtime you have in your classroom. Since goal setting is done by unit of study, the materials in your area will be specific to students’ needs, topic, and goals. Remember to change out these supporting materials each time your unit of study and student goals change.
Teacher Tip: If this is your first time using goal setting in your classroom try this! Present students will a list of 4-5 unit specific goal ideas for them to select one. By limiting the number of goals that your students will be working on, you will be better able to supply them with support materials and mini-lessons.
MONITORING
Since your students are creating their goals and action plans, they oversee their own self-monitoring. Set a schedule for students to self-monitor to make sure that they give attention to their goals. Start a weekly check-in to hold students accountable. We use checklists in class to help students progress. You can also set a few minutes aside to have students revisit their goals and answer a few questions that you pose either in their writing journals or during a quick conference.
GOAL MET, NOW WHAT?
Celebrate and set more! Once students have set and met their first goals of the year it is time to move on and set another goal. Take time to celebrate by having students share a bit of their writing that reflects the focus of the goal that they met. Add their goal forms to a portfolio for them to keep track of the goals and work they did throughout the year.
The beginning of the school year is a great time to set goals with students, but it does not have to be the only time. Setting goals, working to achieve them, and then setting new goals is an ongoing process that will help your students grow as writers all year long.
SPOTLIGHT RESOURCE:
Love goal setting with your students? Try using SMART goals to keep students focused and on track to succeed!
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Jeanine is the creator of Think Grow Giggle and has been teaching upper elementary students for 16 years, specifically third and fifth graders. When it comes to teaching, Jeanine includes her love of reading and writing in every lesson. She loves teaching writing and having the opportunity to bring out the author in each of her students. Jeanine holds a BA from Western Connecticut State University in American Studies and Elementary Education and an MA from Fairfield University in Educational Technology. In addition to being a certified elementary teacher, she is also a certified Reading Specialist for grades K-12. Living on the north shore of Long Island means that her free time is spent at the beach, where she enjoys outdoor activities, reading, and spending time with her husband and three children.
