New Year New Me Lesson Plan New Year, New Me!
Lesson Plan • Tier 3 Individual Support
Time: 30 Minutes
Why This Lesson Matters
"This lesson is important because it empowers students to take an active role in their educational journey by encouraging self-reflection and goal setting. It helps students understand their strengths, acknowledge challenges, and develop a personalized roadmap for success, which is crucial for students with individualized learning needs."
Learning Objective
Students will reflect on their academic and personal growth from the past year, identify areas for improvement, and create SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals for the upcoming year, fostering self-advocacy and a proactive approach to their learning.
Prep & Materials
Review all materials: Slides, Worksheets, Game, and Key.
Print: Reflection & Goals Worksheet & Action Plan Activity.
Prepare slips of paper/bowl for the Goal-Getter Game.
Check student IEP goals to align new goals appropriately.
Instructional Roadmap
Step Time Activities & Guidance Welcome & Warm-Up 5m
Greet student and initiate Welcome Back Warm-Up .
Facilitate brief discussion on positive aspects of the past year.
Use Slide Deck to guide the introduction.
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| Reflecting on the Past | 10m |
Distribute Reflection & Goals Worksheet .
Guide student through reflection questions (successes/challenges).
Engage in supportive dialogue; offer clarifying questions.
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| Goal-Getter Game | 10m |
Brainstorm goals using the Goal-Getter Game .
Select 1-2 key goals for the worksheet.
Explain SMART criteria using Slide Deck visuals.
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| Action Planning | 5m |
Complete Action Plan Activity .
Break goals into small, actionable steps.
Discuss obstacles and self-monitoring strategies.
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| Cool Down | 5m |
Conclude with My Next Steps Cool Down .
Set a tentative check-in date (align with IEP if needed).
Provide encouragement and celebrate effort.
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Tier 3 Differentiation Notes
Provide scribe support for writing if necessary. For students with executive functioning challenges, use visual timers and emphasize the "Action Planning" section to make abstract goals concrete. Allow the student to use emojis or drawings for their reflection if written expression is a barrier.
New Year New Me Slide Deck Welcome Back!
New Year, New You!
It's a brand new start!
The Plan for Today
1
Reflecting on our journey so far.
2
Dreaming big for the future.
3
Planning how to make it happen!
Looking Back
Think about last year...
What were some proud moments?
What was something new you learned?
What challenge did you handle?
Looking Forward
What do you want to...
Improve?
Learn for the first time?
Experience or try?
Setting goals helps you focus your energy on what matters!
Make your goals SMART!
S
Specific
What exactly do you want to do?
M
Measurable
How will you know you reached it?
A
Achievable
Is it realistic for you right now?
R
Relevant
Is it truly important to you?
T
Time-bound
When do you want to finish?
Your Action Plan
Break it down into small steps.
Who can help you along the way?
Prepare for roadblocks.
Small steps lead to
You've Got This!
Your goals are important. Your efforts will lead to success. We're here to support you every step of the way!
My Reflection Goals Worksheet My Reflection & Goals
NAME:
DATE:
Use this worksheet to look back at where you've been and plan where you're going!
Part 1: Looking Back
1 What is one thing you are most proud of from last year?
2 What is one new skill or piece of knowledge you gained? How did you learn it?
3 What was a challenge you faced? How did you handle it?
4 What advice would you give your "last year self"?
Part 2: Looking Forward
THE NEW YEAR
Brainstorming Goals (from our Game!)
My TOP SMART Goal
S
Specific
M
Measurable
A
Achievable
R
Relevant
T
Time-bound
Goal Getter Game Activity Goal-Getter Game!
Brainstorming the path to your best year yet.
How to Play
Step 1: Prep
Teacher has slips of paper ready and a "Goal Bowl" (hat/bag/box).
Step 2: Categories
We'll brainstorm in three areas: Academic, Personal, and Hobbies.
Step 3: Sprint
Write as many ideas as possible on slips. No idea is too small!
Academic Goals
Think about school, learning, grades, reading, math, or study habits.
Examples: Reading for 15 minutes daily, getting a B in Math, turning in all homework on time, learning to use a planner.
Personal Growth Goals
Think about being a friend, managing emotions, getting organized, or self-care.
Examples: Complimenting one person daily, asking for help when frustrated, cleaning your room once a week, getting 8 hours of sleep.
Activity & Hobby Goals
Think about sports, art, music, gaming, or learning a new skill outside school.
Examples: Learning a new song on guitar, practicing soccer drills twice a week, finishing a difficult video game level, sketching daily.
Brainstorming Slips
Write Idea Here
Write Idea Here
Write Idea Here
Write Idea Here
Write Idea Here
Write Idea Here
Cut these out and put them in the Goal Bowl!
Action Plan Activity Worksheet Goal Action Plan
From big dreams to small, doable steps.
NAME: ____________________ DATE: ____________________
My Main SMART Goal
Write your final SMART goal here...
Step-by-Step Success
1
FIRST STEP (This week):
2
SECOND STEP:
3
THIRD STEP:
Who can help?
Roadblocks?
CHECK-IN DATE:
_______________________
Commitment
SIGN HERE:
Reflection Goals Answer Key Teacher Guidance & Answer Key
New Year, New Me! • Tier 3 Individual Support
The Focus
"This is a Tier 3 individual support session. Student responses will be highly personalized. There are no 'correct' answers. The focus is on the process of reflection and goal-setting, and the quality of thought and buy-in."
Reflection & Goals Worksheet
Part 1: Looking Back
1. Proud Moments
Look for specific examples of achievement or effort. Affirm their success.
Example Response: "I am proud of passing my science test after studying with the teacher for three days."
2. New Skill/Knowledge
Help the student identify that learning happens everywhere, not just in a textbook.
Example Response: "I learned how to stay calm when a video game is hard. I practiced taking deep breaths."
Part 2: SMART Goal Guidance
Specific
Instead of "Do better in school," guide them toward "Complete 4/5 math assignments weekly."
Measurable
How will we track it? (e.g., a sticker chart, a log, checking grades on Friday).
Achievable
Ensure the goal isn't too big. "Read 100 books" might need to be "Read 2 books a month."
Time-bound
Define the "Finish Line" (e.g., end of Quarter 3, by Spring Break).
Action Plan & Next Steps
Addressing Roadblocks
Students in Tier 3 often struggle with persistence when obstacles arise. Spend time brainstorm real roadblocks:
Roadblock: "I forget my materials." -> Strategy: "Keep a checklist on my locker door."Roadblock: "The work is too hard." -> Strategy: "Raise my hand or use my 'help' card immediately."Roadblock: "I get distracted." -> Strategy: "Work at the teacher's small group table." Warm Up and Cool Down Cards Warm-Up
The "High-Five" Connection
Welcome the student back! Ask them to think about their winter break or the past few weeks and identify one thing they are excited to start fresh with.
"If you could pick one word to describe your energy for this new year, what would it be?"
Use the first slide of the deck to set the tone!
5 Minutes
Cool Down
Commitment & Confidence
Review the Action Plan. Ask the student to rate their confidence in their first step from 1-5.
"When should we check in next to see how your first step is going?"
Provide a specific piece of positive feedback about their goal-setting today.
5 Minutes
Tier 3 Individual Support Cards • Lesson: New Year, New Me!
Keep these handy during your 1-on-1 session.
