Unit Plan 17 (Grade K Counselor): My First School Goal
Teach Kindergarten goal setting with small school goals, strengths, listening, responsibility, and one-step practice for classroom success.
Focus: Introduce simple goal setting. Students choose one small school goal such as raising a hand, trying again, being kind at recess, using calm breathing, or cleaning up materials. The counselor helps students draw or state their goal and connect it to classroom success.
Grade Level: K
Subject Area: School Counseling (Goal Setting • School-Ready Behaviors • Strengths and Responsibility)
Total Unit Duration: 1–2 weeks, 30 minutes per session
I. Introduction
This Kindergarten counseling lesson helps students understand that a goal is something they are trying to do, practice, or improve. Students learn that school goals can be small and simple, such as listening during directions, raising a hand before talking, cleaning up materials, using kind words, trying again when learning is hard, or using a calming tool.
The counselor uses picture cards, a puppet, drawing prompts, and simple goal statements to help students choose one school goal. Students connect their goal to something they like, something they are good at, or something they are still learning. The goal is for students to begin seeing themselves as learners who can practice one small step toward school success.
Essential Questions
- What is a goal?
- What is one small school goal students can practice?
- How can listening and following directions help students reach a goal?
- What are students good at or still learning to do?
- How can a goal help students learn, work, play, and make safe choices at school?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Explain that a goal is something a student is trying to do, practice, or improve.
- Name one small school goal related to behavior, learning, friendship, or responsibility.
- Identify simple strengths, preferences, or still-learning areas that connect to a school goal.
- Practice school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, and participating during the lesson.
- Follow a simple two-step direction during a goal-setting activity.
- Draw, state, point to, or choose one personal school goal.
- (Optional Session) Apply goal-setting skills through puppet practice, goal card sorting, partner sharing, classroom success examples, or a goal reflection page.
Standards Alignment — Grade K (ASCA-based Custom)
- C:S5.Kc — Set a Simple School Goal
- Name one small goal related to behavior, learning, friendship, or responsibility.
- Example: A student says, “My goal is to raise my hand before I talk.”
- C:S5.Ka — Practice Listening and Following Directions
- Demonstrate school-ready behaviors such as listening, watching, following directions, and participating.
- Example: A student follows a two-step direction during a classroom guidance activity.
- C:S1.Kb — Recognize Personal Strengths and Preferences
- Name simple things they like, are good at, or are learning to do.
- Example: A student says, “I am good at helping clean up,” or “I like building with blocks.”
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can name a school goal.
- I can choose one small thing to practice.
- I can say, “My goal is ___.”
- I can listen and follow directions.
- I can name something I like or am good at.
- I can name something I am learning to do.
- I can take one small step toward my goal.