Goal Setting and Intrinsic Motivation Growth Mindset School Counseling Group

This goal-setting and motivation counseling group helps upper elementary students use the growth mindset strategy of setting goals, identifying what motivates them, and implementing support systems to help them achieve their goals. Learning about intrinsic motivation will help students overcome obstacles, find a support system, and set goals that will help them be successful. Goal Climbers is an 8-week goal-setting group set to ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors. Group members will practice goal setting, time management, prioritizing, and much more with each week’s activities.

Identify and increase student motivation!

Group Outline

Session 1: Finding Direction – Introduction to Goal Setting

Session 2: Focusing on the Vision – Visualizing Future Success

Session 3: Mapping out the Plan – Creating a SMART Goal Setting Plan

Session 4: Fueling the Fire – Finding What Motivates You

Session 5: Hiking Over Boulders – Overcoming Obstacles

Session 6: Getting the Right Gear – Finding Your Support System

Session 7: Circle of Friends – Finding Accountability Partners and Avoiding Procrastination

Session 8: Where to Next? – Planning for the Future

WHAT’S INCLUDED Each Week:

↠ Group Rules: Suggested and DIY Group Rules poster so students can take ownership of the creation of the group rules and norms

↠ Feelings Check: Feelings Check Poster to serve as a visual aid for students to self-reflect on their emotional state at the start of each session

↠ Outlines: Easy to follow outlines with clear objectives set to ASCA Mindsets and Behaviors

↠ Journal: Self-reflection journal with writing prompts and weekly progress monitoring

↠ Games & Activities: A wide variety of games and activities each week

↠ Ice Breakers: Different conversation starters every week.

↠ Self-Assessments: Pre and post group self-assessments to track student growth and make data collection easy!

Counselor's guide, table of contents, and group progress tracker poster are also included!

Icebreakers Include:

• Think, Pair, Share
• Guided Meditation
• Craft
• Card Game
• Dice Game
• "I Have, Who Has" Game
• Scavenger Hunt
• Discussion Dice

Activities Include:

• Foldable Fortune Teller
• Drawing
• Interactive Worksheets
• Motivation Assessment Survey
• Board Game
• Matching Game
• Flipbook
• Vision Board

BENEFITING STUDENTS

Each week students will learn goal setting skills they can use at home and school to help them set academic, social, and personal goals. In addition, they will learn their motivation style, how to effectively prioritize, and time management strategies.

At a minimum, being in this counseling group allows students to identify and share their feelings, develop self-esteem through participation, and practice empathy while hearing others’ experiences.

SAVING TIME

With easy to implement outlines and activities, this group curriculum is very low-prep. Simply print out each session before students arrive and keep them in a file folder. For tips on how to organize your small groups, check out this blog post I wrote. The self-assessments are a great way to get students to self-reflect on their progress and you can then share this information with teachers, parents, or in your program report.

Who is this Group Designed For?

Goal Climbers is designed for small groups of students in grades 4-6 who need help staying motivating and setting goals. It can also be modified to work for other grades and individual lessons.