SMART Goals

Creating A SMART Goal

In the Innovation Lab, Middle School students create SMART goals before starting any project. 

What is a SMART goal?  A SMART goal is a goal which is specific, measurable, achievable, relevalnt and time-bound.  Below are the definitions of each of these components as provided in the Innovation Lab Launchpad.

1. Specific

Your goal should be clear and specific. When writing your goal think about who, what, and why. 

• Who is involved?
• What do I want to accomplish?
• Why is this goal important?

2. Measurable

It's important to have measurable goals, so that you can track your progress and stay motivated. Assessing progress helps you to stay focused, meet your deadlines, and feel the excitement of getting closer to achieving your goal. What are smaller steps you can take to reach your goal and how do you know when you are done?

A measurable goal should address questions such as: How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

3. Achievable

Your goal also needs to be realistic and achievable to be successful. In other words, it should stretch your abilities but still remain possible. 

An achievable goal will usually answer questions such as:

• How can I accomplish this goal?
• How realistic is the goal, based on other constraints, such as financial factors, man power, schedule demands, and other responsibilities?

4. Relevant

This step is about ensuring that your goal matters to you, and that it also aligns with other relevant goals. We all need support and assistance in achieving our goals, but it's important to have control over them. So, make sure that your plans drive everyone forward, but that you're still responsible for achieving your own goal.

A relevant goal can answer "yes" to these questions:

• Does this seem worthwhile?
• Does this support our other goals?
• Does this honor my other personal goals?

5. Time-bound

Every goal needs a target due date so that you have a deadline to focus on and something to work toward. This part of the SMART goal helps to make sure you meet your longer-term goals.

A time-bound goal will usually answer these questions:

• When is it due?
• What can I do today?
• How can I work towards this goal in smaller chunks? How should I prioritize? What should I do first, next, last? 

SMART goals can be justed in other situations and on other projects.  

Practice making a SMART goal with your child for your weekend plans?  What would you like to accomplish as a family this weekend? 

WE Collaboration Projects

Kindergarten students worked togather this week to create 

"WE not ME" projects. 

 Each group of students was asked to share not only a bag of K'Nex 

but also their IDEAS to create a structure.

Students practiced using the pronoun "we" 

to describe the process of designing and creating their structure.  

We also noticed that the M in "ME" looked liked two frowns 

but when we turn that M upside down to make a W for "WE" 

that those frowns were turned into two smiles.

The class had plenty of smiles as they collaborated on their structures.

How do you survive a zombie attack?

Grade 4 answered that question this week as part of their Halloween STEAM challenge.  

The challenge began with a short questionnaire asking them to decide if they would go to the city or the country and whether they would hide or run.  They decided who they would need to rely upon - doctors, friends, family - and what supplies they would need.  Partners put their collaboration skills together for this "high-stake" challenge.  

Then they summarized their strategy as S.M.A.R.T. objective.  There objectives were very specific - although I do not know how attainable they would be if there was a zombie attack as none of us have ever actually experienced one.

Once their objectives were written they created their version of where they would hide during a zombie attack with LEGOs.  

Stay tuned for next week.  Grade 4 is going to make stop animation movies of LEGO people trying to fulfill their objectives.

Skills, Skills and More Skills with Early Childhood

Using the Computers 

With Kindergarten

The Kindergarten class has been working on their fine motor technology skills to control the computer mouse.  

They played "Bees and Honey" to learn to hold the mouse, move the pointer to a desired location, click on an object, and drag an object to a desired location.  

They then used those skills to create a picture in Pixie of a scene with bees and honey.

Students are encouraged to keep practicing their mouse skills at home.  These skills will allow them to continue to learn and explore more topics on the computers.

"Gross" Motor Skills 

With Nursery Students

The nursery students heard the story of "Jack and the Beanstalk" and then were challenged to use their motor skills to build towers in the clouds.  Most of the students loved the unique way to build; although a few thought it was gross.

  

Having some cleaner fun!

Creating Circuit Blocks

Creating Circuit Blocks

with Grade 7

Grade 7 students have been working on creating circuit blocks.  This project is the combination of their work with circuitry, mechanics and computer graphics.

First, they explored and created circuits using Snap Circuits to understand which components they wanted to include in their blocks.

Then they created the blocks in Tinkercad to be printed on the 3D-printer.  They had to measure the components and create a casement for them including opening for wires and labels.  This involved layout and measurement principles.  They decided to color code their blocks with the power, load and switch blocks having different colors.  

After they changed the filament and leveled the 3D-printer, they started printing their first block.  They are excited to start printing their blocks and testing their circuits.