Why Reaffirming Goals Works!

So, here's the deal about those goal letters: I was kind of --maybe just maybe --was a goal voyeur. Yup, I peeked at their goal letters before I sealed them and now I know my students' goals. Now, I have the task of reminding them constantly.

Of course, I have to remind them in ways that are sneaky. So, every first week of the learning period, I casually write on their academic plan (a paper defining their monthly progress) goals they can achieve for the month or reminders and words of encouragement. 

We will see how it goes, but so far, students have taken as much liking to it as any student would: with a very meh attitude. Of course, this is on the outside, so maybe on this inside they're happy someone reminds and encourages them of their progress.

In the meantime, I'm thinking about establishing other progress activities. For example, I can make a very large board with my students' names. Each time they earn a credit, they can a put a gold star by their name. It may just instill the spirit of competition. They may also see they're not alone in the progress they're making. 

What do you think? Do you think reaffirming goals works? Let me know in the comments section below!

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Structure your Students with Goal-Setting!

Remember how students desire structure? Perhaps they don't receive enough of it at home.

The fact is: students need structure to succeed. It's a very important life skill that--unfortunately--a majority of your Independent Studies students are missing. That's why they're attending your school in the first place: your students missed the very important life skill of structure.

However, you have a very rare opportunity to teach your students with goal-setting:

1. From your very first appointment with your student, explain to them that you regularly have them set goals.

• You can do this by setting weekly goals. Here are some examples:
• "I will turn in two credits by next week's appointment." 
• "I will complete one credit of algebra by next Monday."

2. You can set long-term goals at the beginning of every semester. The best way for this to hit home is to have semester parent-teacher conference meetings where you all plan a long-term goal together.

3. At least once per learning period (or calendar month depending on how your school runs), provide your students with an Academic Progress plan (see attached for samples!).

• Take this time to talk to them about their long-term goals of graduation/getting a job/going to college. And remember: always attempt to frame these talks positively. If there are setbacks, remember, they can always come back from this setback because half the battle is just showing up.

What other goals would you like your students to learn?

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