This resource has been developed to integrate balanced literacy with the health education topic of �goal-setting.� Goal-setting can be related to multiple subject areas, therefore achieving standards/outcomes from a variety of curricular areas at one time.

Included in this mini-unit:

� An original, full-color shared reading selection called �All About Goal Setting.� In this story students are introduced to the concept of goal setting while reading about Nathan, a third grader who is working toward his goal of becoming a better reader. Readers will be engaged as they connect the story to their own prior knowledge and personal goals.

� A cut-and-paste sorting activity intended to teach students how to distinguish wishes from goals.

� A goal-setting portfolio piece. Students will first do a �goal brainstorm� using a graphic organizer. They will then choose one goal and write a plan for how they will work towards it. The plan coincides with the process that students read in the shared reading selection. Finally, students will reflect on the goal.

� A Venn diagram where students will sort between long-term and short-term goals.

� A making words activity. Students will follow directions to make various words with the �oa� vowel digraph as in �goal.�