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Executive Functioning Skills for Teens: Setting and Achieving Goals

Completed by 4 learners

Ages 12-16

Self-Paced Course

In this five-week class, students learn to set achievable long-term and short-term goals to maximize academic success.

Miss Mara

Average rating:

4.9

Number of reviews:

(187 reviews)

17 pre-recorded lessons

5 weeks of teacher support

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1 year of access to the content

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Your learner can start learning when they want and progress at the speed that works best for them.

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About Learning Overview Schedule Teacher Reviews

What's included

17 pre-recorded lessons

5 weeks

of teacher support

1 year access

to the content

Homework

1-2 hours per week. Each week, students will set and revise their goals. (See the Class Experience section for more information.) The amount of time to complete these tasks will vary each week and for each student. For example, students may find homework in the final week significantly easier than that in Week 3, especially if they were previously unfamiliar with goal setting. During most weeks, students will likely be able to complete the given homework in an hour, but they may need more time to work on their goal from Week 3 if they are planning to complete it by the end of Week 5. Learners demonstrate that they have set their goals by posting via text, photo, or video to the Outschool classroom. Students may read their goals and objectives on video or take a picture/screenshot of their writing. Additionally, learners will be given questions to answer in their videos or posts such as what they found easy, challenging, or helpful.

Grading

Students will not receive a traditional grade for this class. However, a certificate of completion is available upon request if the student completes all required tasks, and I am happy to provide written feedback about the student's success and recommendations for next steps.

Class Experience

US Grade 8 - 11

Beginner Level

This class helps learners build executive functioning skills related to goal setting including planning, task initiation, task completion, and time management. The primary focus is helping learners plan and achieve short-term and long-term goals.

A handout is provided each week along with at least one lecture. Students should watch the lecture(s) and complete the assigned homework. Then, students will share their homework in the Outschool classroom via text, photo, or video. This is a self-paced class, and students may complete the homework as quickly or as slowly as they feel is best for them.

I check-in with students in self-paced classes twice each week, typically on Mondays and Thursdays, for the first five weeks of this class. After that, I am happy to stay in contact if arrangements are made in advance, such as students who need extra time due to extenuating circumstances.

A detailed syllabus is provided in this course description. However, this is a brief summary of lectures and homework:

Week 1: Types of Goals, Priorities, and Setting Long-Term Goals
-Lecture: During this week, I’ll introduce goals and how we make them achievable.
-Homework: Learners will identify their top three long-term goals, focusing on different aspects of their lives (e.g. academic, athletic, and vocational).

Week 2: Setting Short-Term Goals and Goals for Specific Tasks
-Lecture: Students will learn about setting goals for different durations: daily, weekly, and monthly. Additionally, we'll look at setting goals for specific tasks.
-Homework: Students will list goals that they often repeat (e.g. finishing all homework) and goals that they feel would help them be more productive or provide them with more direction.

Week 3: SMART Goals and Objectives
-Lecture: This week will look at SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable/Attainable, Relevant/Realistic) goals and objectives. Students will learn how to set goals that are most likely to be accomplished.
-Homework: Learners will create at least three SMART goals: one long term (e.g. be admitted to college), one medium-term (e.g. finish the semester with a 3.8), and one short-term (e.g. earn a 90% on the upcoming test). The goals should have manageable objectives. One goal should be achievable or able to undergo significant progress by the end of the class.

Week 4: SMART Goals and Objectives for Common Tasks
-Lecture: This week, we’ll look at SMART goals for common academic tasks including earning high grades on exams, completing projects and essays, and studying consistently. A template will be provided for some of these tasks, and students should use it in the future for tasks after leaving this class.
-Homework: Students will create a SMART goal for at least one upcoming event (e.g. exam, paper, or project) or a habit they would like to create (e.g. a study routine or saving money).

Week 5: Review and Return to Long-Term Goals
-Lecture: We will review the information learned in this class, and students will return to their original long-term goals. Learners will consider how they can make those long-term goals more attainable through making them SMART.
-Homework: Students will revise their three original long-term goals or create three new goals if needed.

Learning Goals

By completing this class, students will learn to:
–Set long-term and short-term SMART goals and objectives
–Create manageable goals for different responsibilities and tasks

Syllabus

3 Units

17 Lessons

over 5 Weeks

Unit 1: Overview of Goals

Lesson 1:

Class Introduction and Overview

 This video provides a brief overview of the class, including homework. (1:15) Additionally, the Week 1 Handout is attached.

Lesson 2:

Broad Overview of Goals

 This video provides a broad overview of goals.  (1:34)

Lesson 3:

Priorities

 This video helps students think about their larger priorities, which is an important aspect of setting long-term goals. (1:31)

Lesson 4:

Weekly Homework

 This video helps students think about their long-term goals so that they can complete this week's homework, which will be used later in the class. (1:21)

Other Details

Parental Guidance

Students are strongly encouraged to upload photos or videos of their set goals to the Outschool classroom. This helps students better visualize and show pride in their accomplishments. Although photos and videos are encouraged, students do not need to show their face on camera or voice if it makes them uncomfortable. Students should never share personal information, which includes any sensitive information that might be in their goals (e.g. where they work or go to school). If I notice personal information, I will remove the video, but please speak to your learner if you have any reservations about what they might share.

Supply List

Each week, one handout is provided with specific steps for completing that week's homework. Students may find it helpful to print the handout. Alternatively, they can type or write their answers. Learners may want to keep all of their goals in a single notebook or binder and may want to purchase supplies for this purpose, but that purchase is optional.

External Resources

Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.

Meet the teacher

Miss Mara

Joined January, 2021

4.9

187reviews

Profile

Teacher expertise and credentials

Bachelor's Degree from Colorado State University

I was a Title I tutor for over five years and have worked as an educator and private tutor since January 2020. In 2022, I began offering professional executive functioning coaching services, and I hosted a virtual executive functioning summer camp in August 2023. Nearly every learner I have taught or coached has been diagnosed with ADHD or another learning difference.

Additionally, I have completed 24 graduate credits in applied neuroscience, giving me a more in-depth understanding of the brain’s role in learning differences and executive functioning.