• Grade 1
• The Little Engine That Could – Activity #2: “Steps for Success!”

Activity #2: “Steps for Success!”

This activity emphasizes the importance of setting goals and how to make plans to achieve those goals.

Materials:

• Yellow paper
• Tag board
• Glue
• Thin black felt pens
• Black construction paper

Teacher Preparation:

• Trace stars onto yellow paper so there is enough for each student
• Cut 4 x 4 inch squares of tag board so each student receives four squares
• Cut enough 10 x 10 inch squares of black construction paper for each student

Step by Step:

Step One: Review with the students the various goals (“I can” statements) they brainstormed from the previous activity. Select one of the goals and ask the students to think of 4 steps they could take to persevere and reach the goal.

Example: I can be a good friend.

1. Be friendly.
2. Say nice words.
3. Play with the person at recess.
4. Be helpful.

Step Two: Provide the students with a star tracer, tag board squares, and black construction paper squares.

Step Three: Students cut out the star and write a personal goal in the center of the star using a black felt pen.

Step Four: Students think of four steps they could take to reach the goal.

Step Five: Students write each step on a separate square, numbering them in order.

Step Six: Students glue the boxes to the black construction. Glue them with steps 1 & 2 on the top with steps 3 & 4 below.

Step Seven: Students glue the star in the middle of the four boxes.

End Product:

A star indicating individual student goals surrounded by the steps of how to reach the goal.