LEARNING OBJECTIVE

To describe the importance of setting goals and identify the ways resilience can lead to future success

HEALTH ED STANDARD

Demonstrate the ability to use goalsetting skills to enhance health (NHES 6)

KEY VOCAB

diversion, prioritize, resilient

Lesson Plan: Dear Younger Me

We asked people with seriously cool jobs what they wish they had known when they were younger. Your students can use their advice to shift their habits and mindset heading into the new year.

ESSENTIAL QUESTION

How can I benefit from setting goals for my future?

 CLOSE-READING QUESTIONS

  1. What would have been a better study system for Hunter, rather than procrastinating with video games? He could have used games as a reward by playing for 15 minutes after every hour of studying. 
  2. What lesson did Terence learn about studying, grades, and sports? He realized that in order to succeed in athletics, he would need to improve his grades and develop the ability to focus on his goals. 
  3. How did Angie cope with bullying and friend drama in high school? After her mother pulled her out of school, Angie began pouring all of her emotions into her writing.

Like What You See?

Then you'll love Choices, our health, social-emotional learning, and life-skills magazine for grades 7–12 

 CRITICAL-THINKING QUESTIONS

  1. Out of the three letters in the article, which one resonates with you the most? Why? Answers will vary. 
  2. Studies show that a creative outlet can help you cope during tough times. Why might that be? Possible answer: Creative outlets let you express your feelings in a healthy way, so you’re not bottling them up or turning to risky coping methods. 
  3. Each of these successful people faced setbacks when they were younger. What does that tell us about failure? Possible answer: Failure is natural and something that everyone experiences. Successful people find a way to learn from it and bounce back.

CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES

WRITE AND REFLECT

NHES 2, CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.W.10

Teens have experiences from their pasts that can help them grow too. In this activity, students will use the DEAR YOUNGER ME handout to draft a letter to their younger selves, reflecting on a setback and how it helped them grow. (If they can’t think of a personal example, they can write a letter of advice to a younger student about something they wish they had known earlier.)

EXTENSION ACTIVITY

NHES 6

In the article, Terence stresses the importance of goal-setting and suggests that teens use posters or notes to help achieve their dreams. Using the instructions on the MY VISION BOARD handout, each student will gather pictures and inspirational sayings. Then, they will make their own vision boards to help them stay on track when their goals feel hard to reach. 

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