It’s time to shake off the January fog.

The New Year is the ultimate reset button and the perfect chance to turn that high-energy, post-holiday buzz into a focused growth mindset for kids. Instead of jumping straight back into long division and spelling tests, I love using the first week back to set intentional academic goals and personal goals.

When students begin the year feeling motivated, confident, and ready to grow, everything that follows tends to go smoothly. 

Let’s talk about interactive goal setting strategies that turn our students into absolute goal getters by making their progress visible and actually achievable.

The "mega" support system for achieving goals

We often ask kids for their goals, and they say things like, 

“I want to be good at math.”

“I want to get better at reading.”

“I want to be nicer.”

Bless their hearts… but that’s about as specific as saying, “My goal is to stay hydrated” while drinking your fourth cup of coffee.

To really see student motivation skyrocket, we have to take those big dreams and break them into bite-sized, trackable learning goals. MJLL put together the student goal setting mega bundle that breaks everything down into four clear categories:

Student goal setting templates featuring personal, math, writing, and reading goals with reminder slips!

The student goal categories:

• Reading Goals: e.g., Using a finger to track words or asking “Does it make sense?”

• Writing Goals: e.g., Leaving spaces between words (the "finger space" struggle is real).

• Math Goals: e.g., Learning to subitize or mastering those tricky numbers to 20.

• Personal Goals: e.g., Playing nicely in the yard or using “I” statements instead of a playground meltdown.

Tiny reminders for big wins

Let’s talk about Reminder Slips. These small, portable slips are included in the bundle for all academic goals, and they’re honestly the unsung heroes of the classroom.

Rather than just being a reward for work already finished, these slips serve as a constant visual anchor. They are designed to bridge the gap between a teacher’s feedback and a student’s independent practice. By placing a slip on a student's desk or in their workbook, you provide them with:

• Clarity: No more "blank looks" when asked what they are aiming for.

• Consistency: A physical reference they can look at while they work to stay on track.

• Home-School Connection: A simple way for parents to see exactly what to reinforce during homework or distance learning.

Whether it's for writing, math, or reading, these slips ensure that a goal isn't just something discussed once in a conference—it’s a visible commitment that stays with the student until the skill is mastered.

Put goals where they can’t be ignored (The Desk Mat)

If it’s not in their line of sight, does the goal even exist? Probably not. I’m a huge fan of a student goal setting template that lives right where the magic happens: their desks.

Available in different themes, and can be printed, customized, and popped onto your students’ desks

To make goal setting strategies practically interactive, we created a desk mat designed to be a multifunctional support system for students throughout the day. It includes:

• A multiplication table for quick math reference

• An alphabet for letter formation and recognition

• A dedicated space for students to display a specific academic or personal goal

• A nameplate area to help students and teachers quickly identify workspaces

Instead of goal setting being something students write once and forget, their goals stay visible and interactive—right under their noses. It’s daily support, plus daily accountability in one simple layout.

Sparkle Into the New Year with Classroom Goal Setting Activities

You can’t exactly ask for a fresh start in a classroom that still has “Merry Christmas” tinsel hanging off the whiteboard.

A quick classroom reset is often all it takes to make the New Year feel official—without requiring a total overhaul.

Whether you choose the Classic New Year Pack or lean into the trendy New Year Composition Notebook style, a few intentional decor swaps signal to your students that the holiday haze is over, and we’re officially stepping into a new season of growth.

But this collection goes way beyond decor…

Inside each bundle in the New Year Decor Collection, you’ll find a thoughtful blend of themed decor pieces and student goal setting resources. The New Year Bulletin Board Kit provides the visual foundation for your display, from bunting and hand-drawn clipart to goal setting activities.

The Disco Ball Goal Setter is a total showstopper! Students list their top six goals (their “growth playlist”) on the bottom ball with optional coloring, before topping it off with a shimmering cover. Hang them up for a 3D effect that basically pops off the wall!

When you need a helpful grab-and-go lesson that doesn’t feel like busy work, the Worksheet & Goals Pack is your BFF. From Jar of Goals activities to resolution templates, it’s perfect for whole-class huddles or calm, independent reflection time.

These activities are flexible, purposeful, and ideal for whole-class lessons, small-group discussions, or independent reflection.

Celebrate YOU and your students' WINS

Talking about goals right at the jump really helps set that solid foundation for the rest of the year. When you see a student smashing their New Year goals, a quick moment of acknowledgment goes a long way. Whether it’s a Reminder Slip or a Goal Desk Mat staring back at them, having that tangible, interactive reminder makes a huge difference. Once they hit those goals? It becomes a tiny trophy they can proudly show off at home. 

When you catch a student glance down at their Student Goal Desk Mat, double-check their multiplication “cheat code,” and refocus on their personal goal, you’re witnessing something powerful. You’re watching a tiny human learn how to navigate challenges with confidence. Suddenly, a simple learning goal feels like a major milestone. 

So as you dive into New Year goal setting, remember to celebrate the small wins — the finger spaces, moments of kindness, and the quiet attempts. When we turn everyday learning goals into moments worth celebrating, we’re not just teaching curriculum, we’re raising self-aware, motivated little humans. 

Seeing students thrive means you’ve absolutely smashed your goals for the New Year, too. And honestly, bestie? That’s the real win. 

Happy New Year & Happy teaching! ✨

 

Fuel a Goal Getter. Read more!