Lesson 1: Achieving Goals with “The Way and The Will”

Age Group: 8 years old
Curriculum Alignment: New Zealand Health and PE Curriculum (Level 2)
Strands:

  • Strand A: Personal Health and Physical Development (A3: Safety and Risk Management)
  • Strand C: Mental Health (C3: Managing Self, Resilience)
  • Strand D: Healthy Communities and Environments (D1: Interpersonal Skills)
    Key Concepts: Goal-setting, perseverance, mental well-being, Hauora (holistic health).

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, students will:

  1. Define a realistic goal and identify steps to achieve it (“the way”).
  2. Understand the importance of persistence (“the will”).
  3. Connect goal-setting to mental well-being through good decision-making.
  4. Reflect on how nature’s systems (e.g., plant growth) model “way and will.”

Materials

  • Storybook (e.g., The Little Engine That Could).
  • Goal-setting worksheets with simple templates.
  • Stickers, markers, and paper.
  • Whiteboard for brainstorming.
  • Images of nature (plants, birds) to illustrate systems.

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction (10 mins)

  • Story Time: Read a short story about perseverance (e.g., The Little Engine That Could).
  • Discussion:
    • “What goal did the character achieve? How?”
    • Introduce “way” (plan) and “will” (effort).
    • Link to nature: Show a plant growing (needs soil/water = “way,” sunlight = “will”).

2. Activity 1: Goal-Setting Workshop (15 mins)

  • Worksheet: Students draw/write one personal goal (e.g., “Learn to skip rope”).
  • Steps:
    1. Realistic? Can they do it with practice? (No “flying like birds” – use jetpack example).
    2. Plan (“The Way”): List 3 steps (e.g., “Practice 10 minutes daily”).
    3. Motivation (“The Will”): Draw a smiley face for each day they try.

3. Activity 2: Obstacle Course Role-Play (10 mins)

  • Scenario: “You want to climb a tree but can’t reach. What’s another way?”
  • Group Task: Brainstorm solutions (e.g., use a ladder, ask for help).
  • Key Message: If one “way” doesn’t work, try another!

4. Mental Health Connection (5 mins)

  • Discussion:
    • “How do you feel when you achieve a goal?” (Proud, happy = good mental health).
    • “What if you feel stuck? Who can help?” (Friends, teachers = support systems).
  • Hauora Link: Explain how goals fit into the four walls of well-being (physical, mental, social, spiritual).

5. Reflection & Wrap-Up (5 mins)

  • Sharing: Volunteers present their goal plans.
  • Sticker Reward: Celebrate effort, not perfection.
  • Homework: Try one step of their plan and report back next class.

Curriculum Links

  • A3: Identify risks in goal-setting (e.g., frustration) and strategies to stay safe (ask for help).
  • C3: Develop resilience by linking effort to emotional well-being.
  • D1: Collaborate during role-play to build interpersonal skills.

Assessment

  • Informal observation of participation and worksheets.
  • Reflection questions: “What’s one step you’ll take? How will you keep trying?”

Inclusive Adaptation:

  • Use visual aids for diverse learners.
  • Offer verbal, written, or drawing options for activities.
  • Emphasize effort over outcomes to reduce anxiety.

This lesson empowers students to approach goals thoughtfully while nurturing mental health, aligning with NZ’s holistic Hauora framework. 🌱✨