Amazing Grace & Goal Setting For a New Year

  Everyone always spend a large portion of the first week of school teaching their new students classroom procedures and expectations. This is also the perfect time to talk about and set some goals for the upcoming school year. In the past I've let my students choose a school-related goal for the classroom OR a personal goal that they would like to achieve. You can emphasize whichever you'd prefer.

   

This year we're going to use the story "Amazing Grace" as a Read Aloud to 

springboard into goal-setting for the new school year. 

In this story Grace's teacher announces that the class will be performing "Peter Pan". Grace is very enthusiastic until her classmates tell her that she doesn't fit the part. 

In the end, Grace learns the importance of believing in herself and following her dreams.

   Before you begin reading, show your students a little teaser 

and ask them to make predictions about what might happen in the story...

     Then read the story aloud to your class (this is a pretty popular book series so you can most likely find it in your school and/or local library).  Afterwards, discuss the obstacles that Grace faced during the story (ex: She is a black girl and Peter Pan has traditionally been portrayed as a white boy). Ask the students to describe how this obstacle isn't related to her ability to dance or perform. Then let the students describe how Grace persevered until she reached her goal. 

   Next ask students to reflect on what they can achieve if they show perseverance (continuing in a course of action despite obstacles or discouragement). If you teach younger students you may want to spend a few minutes creating a list of ideas for students who may need extra support. Distribute a copy of the goal pennant to each student and ask them to write their goal on the back of the pennant. They will also make a list of things that they can do to achieve their goal. Ask the students to leave the reflection section blank.

   Once students complete the writing portion, they can turn the pennant over and start adding some color. Students should draw and color a picture of their goal in the center circle, and write their name on the ribbon. The rest of the pennant should be as colorful as possible. When everyone's finished we hang our pennants on a string across the top of one wall in our room. Every time the students see their pennants, it will remind them of the goal they set for themselves. 

   Periodically during the year, ask students to discuss how they're progressing on their goals. At the end of the school year, take the pennants down and give them back to the students. In the blank reflection section, let students briefly reflect on how much they achieved during the school year.

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