Growth Goals

See how it works

At a glance

Time in class

10 minutes to set up; 5 minutes every Friday

Prep

One-time: print the tracker (linked below).

Materials

Growth Goals Tracker, one per student

Grouping

Individual, with a goal buddy

Use it when

The start of a unit, quarter or skill you’ll practice for weeks

Why it works

Specific, challenging goals improve performance more than “do your best.” Tracking progress and checking in turns the goal into a habit and builds students’ ability to manage their own learning.

Setup (10 minutes, once)

1. Model a goal2 minutes“A good goal names a skill and a number. ‘Get better at math’ is too vague. ‘Get 8 of 10 multiplication facts in a minute’ works.”
2. Write5 minutesStudents fill in the top of the tracker.
3. Buddy up3 minutesPairs read each other’s goal and initial it.

Every Friday (5 minutes)

1. Measure2 minutesStudents record this week’s score or evidence.
2. Buddy check2 minutes“Tell your buddy one thing you did to practice. Buddy, initial it.”
3. Adjust1 minuteGoal met? The buddy sets the next challenge.

See it in action

Watch out for

• Vague goals: must include a number or something you can show.
• Goals too far off: 4–6 weeks is ideal.
• Skipping Fridays: put it on your calendar.

Level up

• When a goal is met, the buddy sets the next challenge.
• Students graph their weekly scores.

Make it work for everyone

• Multilingual learners: a language goal counts, such as “use 3 new vocabulary words in writing each week.”
• IEP and 504 supports: align goals with IEP goals where appropriate.
• Early finishers: add a stretch goal.

Tech option

A simple spreadsheet per student, or a shared class sheet with one row each.

Resources