As we prepared for conferences this week, each student chose something of which they were proud, something at which they wanted to get better, and something at which they had already gotten better.  I refer to these as a smile and a wish when I first introduce them.  After reflecting on their learning, each student transformed their wish into a goal, with two to three actionable steps.

This was challenging for some of our little learners at first.  We have made reading goals before, in which they choose something they could do better, close their eyes, and visualize doing it better.  However, this is the first time I asked them to write down their goal and the steps they can take to achieve it.  Setting, making a plan for, and working towards goals is a complex task, but an important one.

Achieving a goal takes discipline and perseverance.  When they make goals, students become vested in their education, begin to take responsibility for their learning, and learn an important tool for becoming lifelong, reflective learners and accomplishing their dreams.  I hope my students never stop dreaming big, and I am glad that I can provide them with tools and mindsets to help make those dreams into reality. ​​