Do you need an activity that will encourage your students to set goals for the future?

This Vision Board activity will guide students through the process of creating SMART Goals for:

  • Academic Growth
  • Social/Emotional Growth
  • Short Term
  • Long Term

Here is an example of how these forms can be used with students:

(I always begin this project by sharing my Vision Board with students. It is an effective way for them to know a little more about me.)

Step 1: Students will review the criteria for creating SMART Goals.

(There are many variations on the actual wording for SMART Goals, I chose the ones that made the most sense to my 4th and 5th graders.)

Step 2: Students will brainstorm some ideas for goals they potentially want to set for themselves.

Step 3: Students will select ideas from their brainstorming exercise (at least one goal per category) to develop into SMART Goals.

( I recommend modeling this for students with your Vision Board or posting an exemplar of correctly written SMART Goals for review.)

Step 4: Students will use the corresponding planning pages to write their SMART Goals for the 4-6 goals they are developing.

Step 5: Students will create a Vision Board that represents their SMART goals using digital pictures and words. See the example below!


📣The standards used for this product are a combination of standards from several grade levels and are not labeled, allowing educators to use these materials across grade levels.

Included in your purchase:

  • Student Objectives ( I can statements)
  • Student Instructions
  • SMART goals defined and explained
  • 10 Student Planning Pages
  • 2 Vision Board templates


**This version is for Google Slides**

For the PDF version, please click here.

This is an excellent beginning of the year activity, but I have also found value in introducing this in January, at the beginning of the second semester.

I print out and laminate each Vision Board and display them within the student's line of vision in the classroom. My goal is to keep student goals at the forefront of our learning experiences. Goals are only as good as the consideration given after a bit of time has gone by. Revision and maintenance are essential steps to consider and can lead to additional lessons using this material, later as needed.

Teachers can facilitate support conversations or conferences by asking the following questions (or posting them as journal prompts).

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The way that I see it...

Goals can connect us. Goals can inspire others to want to succeed. I have seen first-hand the value of the connections made when a teacher, administrator, or peer engages with a student about student goals. Sometimes through connection, we discover inspiration and perseverance.