8th Grade Goal Writing

Unit Overview
By the end of this unit, you will be able to:
Identify strengths and weaknesses as a reader, writer, and student.
Locate targeted, effective resources to help you turn weaknesses into strengths.
Compose specific, measurable, realistic, time-bound goals and action plans.

Task: Successful people in any career, sport, or activity create realistic, targeted goals to help

focus their work. Now that weve completed the first few units of our year, its about time we take
a week and reflect on our progress and refocus for the rest of the year. First, use data from this
years assignments to determine your strengths and weaknesses in two areas: reading and
writing. Then, compose two SMART goals, one for reading and one for writing. Lastly, write an
action plan for each goal that consists of at least three steps and includes a specific resource.

Purpose:
to focus your independent work time
to improve as a reader and writer
to practice effective goal setting for use in other areas of your life

Audience: you and your family

Assessments:

Pre-Assessment: Tuesday, 1/3 write a goal

Performance Check I: Wednesday, 1/4 revise goal to make it SMART
Performance Check II: Thursday, 1/5 add an action plan
Final Assessment: Final Written Goal & Action Plan

Power Standards:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.2.D: Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or
explain the topic.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.4 Produce clear and coherent writing in which the development, organization,
and style are appropriate to task, purpose, and audience.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.W.8.5 With some guidance and support from peers and adults, develop and
strengthen writing as needed by planning, revising, editing, rewriting, or trying a new approach, focusing
on how well purpose and audience have been addressed.

Unit Sequence:
Day I: Purpose: What are goals and why use them?
Day II: SMART Goals
Day III: Reading and Writing Resources
Day IV: Action Plans