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SEL in the Secondary Choral Classroom:

Structured Goal Setting

Teacher Sample Slides

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Day 1/Piece 1

Objective:

Students will understand what goal setting is and its importance in a choral setting.

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Goal setting is the process of identifying something you want to accomplish and establishing measurable objectives and timeframes to achieve it.

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Class Discussion

  1. What is the point of setting individual goals for yourself? Why not just roll with the class goals that your teacher sets?
  2. What kind of personal goals have you set for yourself in the past?

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Teacher can add student responses here.

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Homework/In-Class Assignment

Reflect on your personal goals in choir and think about a couple you would like to achieve.

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Day 2/Piece 2

Objective:

Students will learn the difference between performance goals and mastery goals.

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Review from yesterday.

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Performance goals: Goals focused on achieving a specific standard or outcome, such as getting a solo or receiving a certain score at a competition.

Mastery goals: Goals focused on developing skills and improving over time, such as improving vocal range or mastering a challenging piece.

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Class Discussion

  1. Classify these examples:
    1. Work on expanding my dynamic range by stretching my voice out of my comfort zone during range-extending exercises in class.
    2. Earn a superior rating at the upcoming choral competition by perfecting our ensemble’s intonation and blend.
  2. What are the pros and cons of each type of goal?

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Teacher can add student responses here.

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Homework/In-Class Assignment

On a sticky note, identify and write down one performance goal and one mastery goal you have for yourself in choir.

Students can keep the sticky note or drop it off in a parking lot for the teacher to keep for Day 3.

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Day 3/Piece 3

Objective:

Students will learn how to set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) goals.

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Review from yesterday.

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Specific: Clearly defined.

Measurable: Trackable progress.

Achievable: Realistic and attainable.

Relevant: Aligned with broader goals

Time-bound: Set within a timeframe.

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Class Activity

  1. Let’s make this goal SMART:
    1. Work on expanding my dynamic range by stretching my voice out of my comfort zone during range-extending exercises in class.
      1. S - I want to be more comfortable in my upper range.
      2. M - I will pay more attention to my personal bests during warm ups so I can track when I am able to sing higher.
      3. A - I am definitely able to improve my upper singing range!
      4. R - I want to be able to sing both soprano 1 and soprano 2 so strengthening my upper range is important to me.
      5. T - I’m going to measure this during our fall concert unit.
  2. On your own paper, take one of your goals and convert it into a SMART goal.

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Homework/In-Class Assignment

Refine your SMART goals and think about the steps needed to achieve them.

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Day 4/Piece 4

Objective:

Students will develop action plans to achieve their SMART goals.

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Review from yesterday.

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Action Plan: A detailed plan outlining the steps required to achieve a goal.

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Class Activity

  1. Let’s make an action plan for this SMART goal.
    1. Work on expanding my dynamic range by stretching my voice out of my comfort zone during range-extending exercises in class.
      1. S - I want to be more comfortable in my upper range.
      2. M - I will pay more attention to my personal bests during warm ups so I can track when I am able to sing higher.
      3. A - I am definitely able to improve my upper singing range!
      4. R - I want to be able to sing both soprano 1 and soprano 2 so strengthening my upper range is important to me.
      5. T - I’m going to measure this during our fall concert unit.
  2. Action Plan: I will keep track of my highest pitch (I can ask my teacher for help) in my binder on a piece of paper.
  3. Potential Obstacle: I need to make sure I am taking good care of myself by drinking water, getting rest, and not doing anything that might harm my voice. If I get sick, I might slow down or undo my progress.

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Class Activity

  1. On your own paper, take your SMART goal and create an action plan and think through any potential obstacles and how you might overcome them.

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Homework/In-Class Assignment

Complete your action plans and be prepared to share them.

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Day 5/Piece 5

Objective:

Students will share their goals and action plans and reflect on their goal-setting process.

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Review from yesterday.

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Goal Sharing

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