Self-Management
Primary 1 (PreK–K)

Objective: Students will name and work toward achieving a personal goal.

Estimated Duration: 20 minutes 

Description: Setting and achieving goals can be enormously powerful for students. By measuring and celebrating their achievements students can see what they have done over a period of time. 

They can see what they can do if they put their minds to it. Seeing their results gives them reassurance that they can achieve higher goals in the future.

Before students come up with a goal, have them think of some things they do well. Then, have students think of things they would like to do better. They could use these ideas as their goal for the activity. 

Make sure students are setting goals that are realistic. Setting small, achievable goals that can be done quickly will help them understand the process of setting and achieving goals. Once they grasp this concept, they can set even bigger goals. 

This activity has students write down one goal and draw three ways to achieve the goal.

Teachable Moments: There are many ways you can help students set and achieve goals:

• Help students name clear and measurable goals.
• Help create a specific action plan for each goal.
• Have students visualize themselves accomplishing their goals.
• Have students reflect on their progress to see if they are on target for accomplishing their goals.
• Help students revise their action plans if needed.

Objective: Students will be able to understand what it means to have courage. 

Estimated Duration: 15 minutes

Description: Courage is using your heart to help you do the right thing even when it is not easy. When talking to children about courage, it is important to teach them that courage is not something magical that happens to make us not scared anymore. Instead, it is something that happens inside of us that helps us to push through and do the scary thing. 

Before students begin this activity, ask them about courage. Give them examples of everyday situations that take courage (e.g., standing up to a bully, raising your hand, trying a new food, etc.).

This activity will allow students to express how to show courage. They will draw a picture of something scary and tell how courage can help them when they feel scared. 

Teachable Moments: There are many ways you can encourage students to be courageous:

• Tell students it is ok to be scared. Help them overcome scary things by talking through solutions.
• Have students share things that are scary. Make a list and talk about ways to show courage.
• Read books that have characters who show courage in everyday situations.
• Ask students to try new things that might seem difficult. They could try new food, choose a new seat at lunch or in class, learn a new strategy, speak in front of the class, or stand up for a friend.  
• Be the example. Communicate how you feel about trying something again even if you make a mistake.

Objective: Students will learn planning and organizational skills.

Estimated Duration: 15 minutes

Description: Staying organized and knowing how to plan are important skills for students. These skills help students learn how to prioritize activities, set and achieve goals, and reduce stress. The ability to organize and plan can have a significant impact on a student's ability to succeed throughout their academic career. Therefore, it is important to help them learn these skills early in life. 

Before students begin this activity, point out ways you have organized things in the classroom. Explain how each helps to make the classroom run smoothly throughout the day. Then, ask students to discuss ways they organize their things at their home.

This activity will help students learn how to use a checklist as they get ready to learn for the day.

Teachable Moments: There are many ways you can help students learn planning and organizational skills:

• Get students in the habit of using "to-do" lists.
• Help students sort and organize their assignments.
• Have students set a designated time and place to practice reading and math.
• Help students keep an organized backpack.
• Schedule cleaning time for students.