Mountain Goals Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 1: Mountain of Goals
Objective
Students will define a "goal" as something we work hard to reach and select one specific classroom behavior to focus on.
The Hook
Show a picture of a mountain climber. Ask: "What are they trying to reach? Is it easy to get there?"
Instructional Steps
1
What is a Goal?
Explain that a goal is like the top of a mountain. We take small steps to get there. Use examples: learning to tie shoes, riding a bike, or raising our hand.
2
Choosing Our Focus
Present 3 visual choices for the week: "Listening Ears," "Helping Hands," or "Hand Raising." Have students vote or choose one for the whole class to start with (recommended for K beginners).
3
Visual Reminder Workshop
Students color their "Goal Mountain" worksheet. This becomes their personal visual cue for what they are working on.
Discussion Prompts
"How do you feel when you finally reach the top of a slide or a climbing wall?"
"If we forget our goal, what can we do to help ourselves remember?"
Mountain Goals Slides Mountain of Goals
Lesson 1: Goal Getters
Can you reach the top?
What is the climber doing?
Is it a big climb or a small one?
"A goal is something we want to reach at the top!"
One Step at a Time
Start
Pick your goal!
Climb
Try your best every day.
Reach
You did it!
What is our goal today?
Raising Hand
Listening
Kind Words
Let's pick one together!
Mountain Goals Worksheet My Goal Mountain
Name:
Goal Reached!
Color Me!
My goal this week is:
Raise Hand
Listening
Kind Words
Circle your choice!
Magic Map Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 2: The Magic Map
Objective
Students will understand that each box on their chart represents one positive choice and that filling boxes creates a path to a goal.
The Hook
The "Forgotten Five": Tell the class you saw 5 amazing things but forgot who did what! "Oh no! If only I had a way to write it down..."
Key Instructional Points
1
Introduction to the Grid
Compare the sticker chart to a treasure map. Each box is a step on the path. Use a 5x2 or 5x1 grid to keep it manageable for Kindergarten.
2
The Rules of the Road
Explain when a sticker is earned. Model: "I see [Student] raising their hand! That's a goal choice! Let's put a sticker in the FIRST box."
3
Visual Continuity
Emphasize starting at the top left and moving across. For pre-readers, visual directionality (left to right) is an important sub-skill.
Teacher Tip
"In the beginning, catch them being good frequently. We want them to see progress quickly (within the first 20 minutes of the tracking period) to build the connection between the behavior and the reward."
Magic Map Slides The Magic Map
Lesson 2: Chart Champions
How does it work?
"One choice = One sticker!"
We fill our map from Left to Right
Follow the Path!
When you do your goal choice, we find the next empty box.
GOOD CHOICE!
Two steps down, three to go!
X Marks the Spot!
When the whole map is full, we get to celebrate our hard work!
What is at the end of YOUR map?
Magic Map Sticker Chart My Magic Map
Explorer:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Victory!
My Goal:
My Prize:
Self Spies Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 3: Secret Self Spies
Objective
Students will practice identifying their own positive behaviors and learn how to politely alert a teacher when they have met their goal.
The Hook
The "Self Spy": Tell students they are undercover detectives. Their mission is to "catch themselves" doing something good!
Mastery Steps
1
The "Aha!" Moment
Teach students to pause when they realize they've done their goal behavior (e.g., "Wait! I just raised my hand!"). Use a silent signal, like a finger on the nose.
2
Polite Advocacy
Role-play how to ask for a sticker. Correct: "Excuse me, [Teacher], I raised my hand just now." Incorrect: Interrupting or shouting "Give me a sticker!"
3
Checking the Map
Have students physically walk to their chart and point to the box they are filling. This physical movement cements the achievement.
Role Play Scenarios
Scenario A: The Quiet Hand
Teacher is talking. Student waits for a pause, then whispers: "I used a quiet hand. May I have a sticker later?"
Scenario B: Helping a Friend
Student picks up a friend's crayon. Student catches themselves being kind and puts a finger on their nose to remember.
Self Spies Slides Secret Self Spies
Lesson 3: Mission Mastery
Mission: Catch Yourself!
A Self Spy watches their own choices.
Your Signal:
Finger on your nose!
Secret Code Speaking
Don't Shout
"I DID IT! GIVE ME A STICKER NOW!"
Do Whisper
"Excuse me, I catch myself using a quiet hand."
Mission Starts Now!
1
Put on your spy glasses
2
Make a goal choice
3
Catch yourself!
"Shhh... can you catch yourself?"
Self Spies Activity Cut and Color: Spy Glasses
Secret Spy
"Color these and wear them to find your goals!"
Spy Mission Log
AGENT:
Color a magnifying glass every time you catch yourself doing your goal!
Top Secret Reminder:
Put your finger on your nose to remember your goal!
Waiting Game Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 4: The Waiting Game
Objective
Students will define "patience" and understand that waiting for a full chart leads to a larger, more exciting celebration.
The Hook
The "Wait for Two" Challenge: Offer one marshmallow (or sticker) now, or two if they can wait until the end of the lesson.
Instructional Strategy
1
Visualizing the Finish Line
Show a chart with 1 sticker vs. a chart with 9 stickers. Ask: "Which one is closer to the treasure? Why is the 9-sticker chart more exciting?"
2
The "Waiting Room" Toolbox
Brainstorm things to do while we wait for stickers: take a deep breath, sing a song in our head, or think about our goal. This gives them agency over the waiting period.
3
Non-Material Rewards
Shift focus from toys to experiences. Brainstorm prizes like: "Teacher's Assistant for 5 minutes," "Choose the Story," or "Extra Recess."
Teacher Talk: Patience Prompts
"Waiting is like a muscle—it gets stronger every time we practice!"
"I see you waiting so patiently for your turn. That's a huge step on your map!"
Waiting Game Slides The Waiting Game
Lesson 4: Patience Power
Which one would YOU choose?
One Now
(Right This Second!)
Two Later
(After we wait a little bit!)
Waiting Power!
Filling our map takes patience.
How do we wait?
Deep Breaths
Sing a song
Think of the prize
Almost There!
Big Rewards!
When we wait until the whole map is full, the celebration is extra special!
"Waiting for our goal shows how strong we are!"
Waiting Game Activity Patience Power
Student:
Do we wait?
Flower Growing
Turning on Light
Sticker Chart
"Circle the ones that take patience!"
My Waiting Goal
Draw the special thing you are waiting for at the end of your map!
Extra Recess
Pick the Game
Fun Hat Day
Finish Line Teacher Guide Teacher Guide
Lesson 5: Finish Line Fun
Objective
Students will reflect on the effort it took to fill their chart and understand that finishing a chart is a reason to celebrate and then start a new mission.
The Reset
The "Fresh Start": Explain that even professional athletes start a new game after they win a trophy. We keep our old chart to show our hard work!
Celebration Steps
1
The Celebration Circle
Gather in a circle. Each student shares one thing they are proud of. Practice "High Five Harmonies" (polite, gentle high-fives or air-fives).
2
Visualizing Patterns
Look at a full chart together. "Look at all these stickers. This isn't just one good choice, it's a WHOLE PATTERN of good choices. You are becoming a [Goal] Expert!"
3
Transitioning to a New Map
Introduce the idea of a new map. "Should we do the same goal to get even better, or try a new mountain?" Help students fill out their New Goal section on their certificate.
Reflection Question
"What was the hardest part of filling your map? What was the best part?"
Finish Line Slides Finish Line Fun
Lesson 5: Victory Lap
Look at your map!
FULL!
Every sticker on your map is a choice you made.
You didn't just do it once...
You kept going!
High Five Harmony
Air High Fives!
Celebrate without touching!
Happy Voices!
"You worked so hard! Great job!"
Ready to Reset?
Even when we finish a map, we keep our Goal Getting Skills.
New Goal?
New Map?
Finish Line Certificate Champion Explorer
This Certificate is proudly given to:
Explorer Name
For reaching the top of the Goal Mountain and filling a whole Magic Map with amazing choices!
My Favorite Choice:
Draw Here!
My Next Mission:
Guide Signature