Goals

I read a blog by William D. Parker titled 3 Tips on Student Self Reporting Grades. Parker talks about how educators would benefit if they got students to identify what they want to accomplish. Having students reflect on where they are at and where they want to go is powerful.  It is also necessary for their own development.

Many students are uninterested, unmotivated, or simply pick and choose what they want to do because their educational experience has many gaps.  Their teachers play it too safe because they are worried about being compliant and avoid parental confrontations they set the achievement bar low enough for their students to pass.  

Parker gives an example of a soccer team that prepares for a game and notices that there are no goals.  The referee blows the whistle and the players ask themselves, "What do we do?" It is obvious that without goals no one can score.

If I was on that team, I would tell my teammates to take off their shirts and make four piles to create goals.  If I was the coach, I could probably convince the players to focus on passing, possession, limit touches, etc.  That would last five minutes at most.  Eventually, the team would stop playing.  Why?  No goals! Duh!

In the movie Rocky (1976), there is a critical moment when the main character shares his goal with his girlfriend Adrian. This happens just before the big fight and Rocky enters his apartment all depressed.  He says, "I can't do it.  I can't beat him.  I ain't even in the guy's league."  Adrian, the loyal, meek but intelligent partner responds, "What are we gonna do?"

She could have said and done so many things like hug Rocky, feel sorry for him or simply agree with him and tell him not to go through with the fight.  Instead, she asks him a question and puts it back on him.  She makes him think.  She makes him think because she believes in him and believes that Rocky can find a solution. 

Rocky does what any good fighter does: sets a realistic goal. He decides that he wants to go the distance with Apollo Creed, the champion.  It matters little to Rocky if he wins or gets his head smashed.  He identifies a clear and doable goal: going the distance. And, for those who saw the Oscar Winner for Movie of the Year, go the distance he does.

Educators can take a page out of William D. Parker's soccer playbook.  Soccer is a team sport and despite the many schools of thought about coaching, player development, and positions, scoring is only one part of the game.  Winning is another matter.  Setting goals will help students reach their desired target for growth and learning.  Teachers can help develop and enhance their school experience.

Educators can see in Rocky how even against insurmountable odds any student, and I mean ANY student, can meet his or her goals if they are asked, "What are we gonna do?"  Be like Adrian and get in your student's corner and ask questions that will get them to think, reflect, and take action.  Your students will surprise you just like Rocky and they will go the distance.