SMART Goals Exit Routine

At the end of the week's last class, students review their physical activity and set a specific, measurable, realistic goal for the next seven days while doing gentle stretches. It builds personal planning and commitment to healthy habits.

How to play

1. Students stretch quads and calves standing for 1 minute while the teacher explains the task.
2. Seated with their journal, each student writes how many days this week they got at least 60 minutes of physical activity (1 min).
3. The teacher models a well-written goal: "Walk briskly for 30 minutes on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday after studying" (1 min).
4. Each student writes a goal that states what, when, how much, and how they'll know they met it (2 min).
5. Partners read each other's goals and check that they're specific and measurable; if not, they fix them together (2 min).
6. Close with a seated back stretch; at the first class next week, students check whether they met their goal (1 min).

Rules

• Goals must be realistic given each student's homework and commitments.
• Everyone sets their own goal without comparing it to others'.
• Stretches are gentle with no bouncing.
• Respect the privacy of what classmates write.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: the goal and stretches fit the student's actual abilities, with teacher help if needed.
• Autism: provide a template with set questions for each part of the goal.
• Very active or club athletes: their goal can focus on rest, sleep, or recovery.

Learning goals

• Write physical activity goals that are specific, measurable, and realistic.
• Analyze one's own weekly activity level.
• Commit to healthy habits that fit around schoolwork.

Equipment for a class of 25

• PE journals: 25
• pens: 25

Teacher tip

The key is checking the goal the following week; without follow-up it loses its point. Celebrate small wins and help students rework missed goals without guilt.

More activities like this

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