Students create “passion collages” to reflect their passions in each of three areas: academics, career, and relationships. Then, students develop strategies for achieving their passions.
Objectives
Students will be able to:
- employ the SMART goal structure to create SMART goals for their academic, career, and social lives.
- create “passion collages” to reflect their goals in each area.
Materials
Magazines, poster paper, glue, markers OR a way to produce collages online by cutting/copying images into documents
Exercises
| Time | Activity | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2 mins |
Opening
|
You can have students print out pictures from online or create an online collage or set of collages, as well. |
| 20 mins |
Passion CollagesGive students ample time to create their passion collages. |
You can also preview this activity ahead of time to allow students to begin thinking and collecting images.
You can play music during this time. |
| 3 mins |
SMART GoalsIntroduce the idea of SMART Goals. SMART stands for:
Explain that, while passion collages are useful for inspiration and motivation, creating SMART goals can make a more concrete and actionable goal for these passions to turn into realistic future endeavors. |
Depending on the ability level of your students, you may want to give examples and/or non-examples of SMART goals. For example, “Earn a full academic scholarship to [insert one attainable school]” may be a SMART goal, whereas “Earn a full academic scholarship to every single Ivy League University” may not be a SMART goal. |
| 10 mins |
Writing SMART GoalsGive students time to write their SMART goals for all three categories. Consider the benefits of allowing students silent thinking time versus allowing students to work in small groups or pairs and respond to the individual needs of your class. |
|
| 10 mins |
Share OutIn order to give students ownership over their articulated goals, give each student 30 seconds to a minute to share out what they’ve written for any or all of their SMART goals. |
Timing here will depend on the size of your class. |
| 5 mins |
ReflectionHave students complete a reflection to gauge the effectiveness of the lesson at instilling a sense of passion in students. (See Formative Assessment below) |
Criteria for Success/Formative Assessment
Students can submit SMART goals for assessment and/or credit for this activity.
Reflection Questions:
- What was the process of turning a passion collage into goals like for you? What did you like about it and what, if anything, did you not like about it?
- Do you think you are more or less likely to pursue your goals now that you’ve created a SMART framework around them?